Blind Vietnamese Man Teaches His Cambodian Colleagues How It Is Done
In the cut throat world of cow trading, it is not easy to stand above the rest of the field. To do so when you are completely blind is even more impressive. However that is exactly what Vietnamese man, Tran Van Khong has achieved.
Online, July 30, 2013 (Newswire.com) - This tanned, slim man from up in the mountains of An Giang's Tinh Bien District Province, in Vietnam, has received so much public attention he's become something of a celebrity.
Watching him carry a bale of hey, head height, passed park cars, tables and chairs outside a customer's house, is impressive. Once inside he navigates obstacles like motor bikes, piles of boxes and clutter on the floor and people standing in his way. It is difficult to believe that he has no sight at all. He has become one the most trusted and respected cow traders in the area of Lao Dong. Holiday makers enjoying Vietnam and Cambodia tours, are even stopping by to see what the fuss is about.
Locals dealers and farmers claim, that he is better than most of the sighted people working in this particular field. They claim that it is because of his blindness rather than in spite of it. He cannot rely on visual clues, he has to use his hands, sense of smell and pick up on the animals generally mood. For thirty years he has examining cattle and trading them here.
Better known simply as "Nam" as is traditional for a fifth child, he went blind when he was only ten years old. He was digging for worms as bait for his daily fishing expedition when his hoe hit an unexploded M79 shell. The blast threw him back and cause many injuries. He was not expected to survive, but somehow he did. Losing his father at around the same time, meant he had a very tough upbringing. He carries no bitterness or self pity, simply saying that he never thought of suicide and just got on with living as a blind person, straight away.
He believes that he is following a path already chosen for him. As a tiny boy, his father traded cows and he started to learn about them before the tragic accident which took his sight. By simply stroking the animals back and hair he gets an immediate feeling of the animal. He explained, "A cow with hair that swirls downward from its rear end, or across its eyelids, won't be any good for pulling or ploughing." If a customer is looking to buy a beast for its meat, simply running his hand along its back and over its thighs, is enough to present him with the vital clues.
Because he has no vision, he has to listen to animals as they move about. Any sound, a snort or its breathing are enough. He is passing these incredible skills onto his children. His youngest son accompanies him all the time and intends to become his successor. No doubt in years to come visitors enjoying one of the many Vietnam and Cambodia tours, will be asking him to tell stories about the blind cow trader.
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