Today Theo and Kay would like to introduce you to one of their favorite stories "Tikki Tikki Tembo No Sa Rembo-Chari Bari Ruchi Pip Peri Pembo". The story is about two brothers. The older bears a very long and impressive name (which is the custom) and the younger a short and less impressive name. Both children are loved by their parents and both children (as is natural for children) do not always listen to their mother! One day the boys are playing near a deep well and the younger brother falls in. Tikki Tikki Tembo No Sa Rembo-Chari Bari Ruchi Pip Peri Pembo runs quickly to his mother who sends him to the Old Man with the Ladder to help rescue his brother. Since the younger has a short name, he is rescued quickly and life goes on. Many days later (and as is typical for children who do not learn their lessons the first time!), the boys are playing by the well again but this time it is the older who falls in the well. Now the younger son must run to his mother and even though he is out of breath, he manages to tell his mother "Tikki Tikki Tembo No Sa Rembo-Chari Bari Ruchi Pip Peri Pembo has fallen into the well!" after only a few attempts. His mother then sends him to The Old Man with the Ladder (which involves running down one hill and up another) and the poor boy has to go through another delivery of the news with that massive name and no breath! The older brother is rescued and the story concludes, "But because of the long time he was in the well, it was many moons before he was quite the same again" and that is why to this day all Asian children have short names.
This story always makes Kay and Theo laugh because it is not easy to read that long name without a mistake or two! It's like a tongue twister. Every time we pass by the little wishing well that hides our well pump they think of this story- although as Kay always points out Tikki Tikki Tembo No Sa Rembo-Chari Bari Ruchi Pip Peri Pembo and his brother did not have two pink flamingos decorating their well!
I am posting ahead as we are with family this weekend celebrating my niece's wedding.
Aww what a great story! Now I don't feel bad about my long name. It's Christopher but I like Chris so much better because its short. Awesome image of the flamingoes by the well.
@grammyn Thank you Katy! Not too worry- only the capped and hidden pipe goes deep here- and Kay and Theo are unable to open it. Plus, if they were to fall into the well, Miss Ann does not need a ladder to get in- she can just reach down and pick them up off the ground around the pipe! (o:
@cjphoto Thanks Chris! My son Christopher also shortens his name among friends- but he is always called Christopher by us. (o: It's a great name short or long! Wacky and Tacky are permanent fixtures much to Jeff's chagrin!
@kerristephens Thanks Kerri!
@thresheg Thanks Graham!
@susale Thanks Suse!
@altadc Thank you Alta!
@pyrrhula Thank you Ferry!
@cjphoto Thanks Chris! My son Christopher also shortens his name among friends- but he is always called Christopher by us. (o: It's a great name short or long! Wacky and Tacky are permanent fixtures much to Jeff's chagrin!
@ninaganci Thanks Nina!