I Am Chantrea

• Alexandra Spain, Grade 7
• Short Story
• 2016

1150
(1st day of Solstice)

Dear Diary,
I am so excited! Tomorrow is the opening of the new city temple, Angkor Wat. The Emperor, Suryavarman II, said Angkor is our connection line to the Gods. But the best bit, aupouk (Father) promised to take me to the grand opening. Of course, it is a temple so it will be a very sombre occasion.


(2nd day of Solstice)

Dear Diary,
We have just got back from visiting Angkor. It was splendid. Mteay (Mother) and Davi our maid helped me dress up for the occasion. My straight, dark hair was tied back with a garland of pink flowers, and I was wearing my best silken tunic. Aupouk told me to hop in the rickshaw and Konge Ke, (our runner) sped off. In minutes we had arrived at the temple. Angkor Wat could not be called anything less than stunning, exquisite and overall srasa saat. Angkor’s charm and charisma astounded everyone, including the usually sullen Konge Ke.


(3rd day of Solstice)

Dear Diary,
I am sorry I was unable to finish my writing last night, but Davi interrupted me for dinner. We had the most delicious red curry. But back to Angkor. The turrets gleamed a bronze stone, and the doorways were so large that even an elephant could have squeezed through! Angkor's vast grounds were crammed full of people, so many we couldn’t get far past the Ta Kou Entrance.


All the facts in this story are true, although the day Angkor was opened is unknown.

Translation and Glossary

Angkor Wat- A large temple in Cambodia
Aupouk- Father
Mteay- Mother
Srasa saat- Beautiful
Ta Kou- an entrance to Angkor Wat