For small children still suffering post-quake trauma, a dinner cooked by the King came as an undiluted blessing

Dawa T Wangchuk THANGRONG.

Students of Thangrong Primary School (TPS) never dreamt of having a King cook dinner for them, but before they could even dream of it, it was theirs.

His Majesty the King, en route to Thangrong geog in Mongar district, visited TPS on October 18.

Little did the students know that His Majesty would surprise them by cooking dinner for them.

All the students from pre-primary(PP) to Class six gathered at the school ground, formed a circle and sang songs.  This was the most memorable moment for the students, they said.

The students were still in a post-trauma mindset after the devastating quake that shook most of eastern Bhutan.

“They are still in a shock, the earthquake really affected them,” said Pema Tenzin, the officiating principal.

According to him, the students would stoop under the table and hold on to it tightly whenever they hear a car coming or a loud thunder.

“Once during a night study, a loud thunder was heard and all the students ducked under their table, and in doing so a student even suffered a nail bruise on his head,” he added.

The earthquake destroyed two classrooms and the hostels for both boys and girls. Now they are being accommodated in two separate tents. Two other tents are running as classrooms.

But all this changed as His Majesty with his mesmerising charm cheered the students.

“I am seeing them this happy for the first time after the earthquake,” said the principal.

Innocent faces lit up as soon as His Majesty said that he would cook for them. Some were confused and some were excited.

Students sang a song that best suited the moment, a song that felt so innocent, a song that made everyone feel what the students were feeling, a song called ‘Happiness is something if you give it away’.

“Our King is very kind and nice,” said 12-year-old Leki Choden of Class four.

Tashi Chozom, 11, a Class three student effused: “I am very happy to see my King and hope to see him again and again”.

According to Pema Tenzin, the students at Thangrong faced various difficulties. Some students had a hard time buying their uniforms and some never paid their school fees.

However, the memories of 18 October will remain in their lives forever.

Where in the world would a king cook for his subjects? In Bhutan, he does!