Orang asli man pens tribal tales

PETALING JAYA: The exploits of the wily mousedeer Sang Kancil is a familiar story to many children. But for the Semai tribe orang asli children, it is the exploits of a nine-year-old Semai boy named Yeok Luat and his dog Cooq Leek that have held them captive.

These stories, often told by household heads after dinner around a fireplace in the open surrounded by jungle, are filled with adventure, tradition and moral and living skills lessons.