SHORT TAKES: The Teacher Who Made Me Want To Write

By M.Zulkifli

The things we do in life might have a lasting impact on someone and we might not even know it. When I was in form 1, I had a Bahasa Malaysia teacher who would read the best three karangan (essays) in front of the class every other week. 

And one day, she read mine! It was a simple piece on pasar malam in Malaysia. I was shocked and felt a bit “eksyen” as well. Haha. 

But really, that moment gave me the confidence to write. Karangan and composition were my favourite parts of BM and English, and I started writing at home using my late father’s orange Brother typewriter. I wrote for the ‘Letters to the editor’ section of entertainment magazines, and by the time I was in university, I was writing and editing the campus newspapers and newsletters.

Of course, I also pursued my other passion, i.e.: law as a career, but after a few years, I quit the judiciary to rekindle my love for publishing and media. I even landed my dream job of editing the world’s biggest men’s magazine. And I have never forgotten that moment when my teacher read my karangan in front of the class.

Thank you, teacher. Selamat Hari Guru!