Hi, in my opinion, I agree with this statement that short stories offered in the literature component does provide us with insights into cultural practices of others. Even though I didn’t have a chance to learn this short stories entitled ‘of Bunga Telur and Bally Shoes in school, but after I read it by myself, I was discovered that it’s play an important role through understand others especially Malay people in Kelantan.At first, I feel strange about why this ‘bunga telur’ are so important. Finally, I realise that it’s really important as a symbol of the weddings. The title itself significant the part of Malay wedding that is ‘bunga telur’.It makes others learn about Malay culture and ‘bunga telur’ in Malays wedding. During Malay weddings, they use ‘bunga telur’ as a gift to the guests who are not only given the Malays but also Non-Malay. That’s how it’s related to others. From this gift, the relationship will be more tighten between others even though they’re in different races and religions. ‘bunga telur’ play an important role in our own beliefs as Malay people. Through this ceremony, it can tighten the relationship with each others.Non-Malay may also learn about the culture of Malay people and vice versa.And i'm so proud to say that I'm Malay!!

‘How Dalat Got It’s Name provides me insights through us and the way we relate to them. From this story, I learn about history of this place. Every place in the world must have their original story of their place now. In this story, Dalat got its name when they are so many flies around after the war between the brothers and the blood in the streets was splited in the village street. Dalat is one of the places in Sarawak. Actually, I don’t know about this place before. Galau;Umat eldest brother wants one memorial to give him as a remembrance when all the villagers denied him because of his betrayed.So, he calls the place Dalat, as so many black flies are everywhere. I believe every mankind wants to be leader and being respected by others. Undeniably, we are willing to do anything just to fulfil our dreams.We sometimes killing each other and always trying to get what we wants.Like Umat, He wants to be the chief of the village but Galau wants to be the chief too because of he is an eldest son while Umat; a hot-tempered middle son but a strong man thinks that he should be the chief. He is willing to co-operate with the enemies just to get the power and being a chief of his village. But, at the end, he was died because of his own mistakes. I believe that we should not be greedy, and respects the people who are elder or younger than us. Like Lutong, he respects his two brothers Galau and Umat. Besides, they also respect their father even though after he died. I also learn that as a human, we are not satisfied until we got what we want. But, we should consider and think so many things before we make any step that would ruin our life onwards.

‘Looking for a Rain God’, the story sets in Botswana; the murdered of two youngest child,Neo and Boseyong for rain-making ceremony by the leader, Mokgobja.I think that this story it’s quite thriller and very mean to me because of the murder, violence and over-superstitious beliefs. Everyone has their own beliefs and trusts it fully. In my own beliefs as a Muslims, I believe in God who is the most powerful. So, I should not ask for other than Him. Nowadays, shaman,’bomohs’ or what is called are not the first person to cure sick people. They were doctors who take over. I feel grateful because I was not born on that time with people who really depending on superstitious beliefs and scarifies others. Sometimes I don’t understand how did they survive in that world whereby everybody killing each other. Well, that’s quite a lot of question I think about. We were belief that murder is prohibited in every religion. No human can kill people. I started thinking that how could they think about the scarification’s of people so that they will get what they asking for. It was so sad when they kill people especially child just to fulfil other happiness that is rain. They were belief that one must be scarify to make the rain falling to the desert. But, we couldn’t make any judgements that they were wrong. This is because of they lack of knowledge at that time. In my personal beliefs, I believe that human are not perfect. We are weak and always need a big help from God.

The Lotus Eater is the story of a person who is lazy and wanted to enjoy himself through his life. It is not only in Malaysia, but all over the world we can meet this kind of people. It’s all about human behaviour that makes its cultural practices to others. Like Thomas Wilson, he was a very successful manager at first but finally died because commit suicide. It was really terrible. In Muslims religion, we beliefs that whoever commits suicide are not going to be apologised by God. Nowadays, people tried to kill themselves while having a big problem. We heard and read in newspaper about this thing. It was really ashamed when it’s involved an educated person. Sometimes we couldn’t deny that stress in life make us think that life’s not worth anymore. We are all the same but how we overcome the problem is much more important so that we will not ruin our life.So,think about it wisely

I agree with the statement 'the short stories offered in literature component provide us with the insights into cultural practices of others'.For me, learning the short stories enable us to view the world from other peoples' perpectives or being in their shoes (empathy).By reading the short stories we can also understand others from different race,religion and culture.

After look deeply in the short stories and 'immerse' in each of the characters world,I think I understand more about the characters,their way of life,thoughts,beliefs and their cultural values.All the short stories are not just stories of ordinary people but more than that in each of the short stories it contains other peoples' beliefs, thoughts,their cultural values and many more.

'Of Bunga Telur And Bally Shoes'
This short story is not only about a man who is preparing for his marriage.In the stories there are a lot of cultural values (Malay culture) and through this short story, non-malays can understand the malays better by examine their beliefs and their way of life.

To conclude, I think if our Malaysian students can realize the actual reason or the main objectives of learning literature that is to make them learn about other people and their cultural values, then they will think about the world and more the will become more open minded.

I think we as future teachers should bear in mind to teach our students literature to make them understand other peoples' world,way of life,thoughts,beliefs and so on so that they will become somebody with empathy and become useful citizens for our beloved country.We can't just pay attention to only the formal aspects of literature such as the writing techniques, vocabulary and stylistics.Yes ,we need to teach them all the formal aspect to make them understand the literary work better,but dont take those aspect as primary or only concern in teaching literature.That's all.I will be grateful if there are friends who would like to share their opinion regarding this.Thank you.

It is true that through short stories, we can get insights into cultural practices of others. When i was in school, i always excited in reading short stories because i want to know what the stories are all about and i think the most enjoyable story was 'Looking for a Rain God'. When i finished reading the story, all feelings came into me. I felt weird, sad, and disgusting. i can't believe that people in other part of the world still practice this kind of weird ritual. all i could think that time is that, why their parents don't have any feelings in doing those things to their helpless children. where is the love? for me, the ritual was cruel and theres no humanity in it. through this story, i finally realize that there are still people who believes in spiritual and doing things that can't be accept by our mind

THE NECKLACE
Every student has their own interpretation and view when they read a short story. The selected short stories for malaysian secondary school is form to generate the creative thinking and humanities value among our students.
One of the short story that give deep impact on me is 'The Necklace'. For me the necklace is all about be true, honest,down to earth and gratefullness. Mathilde waste 10 years of her life by working to death just to replace Madam Forestier's necklace that she borrowed and loss in a ball. The truth is, the necklace is not as expensive as she thought. Mathilde should be honest to Madam Forestier at the first place that she loss the necklace and she also has to realize her and her husband ability in spending their money.
I can say that this story shows the women's lust for wealthy. I think ball is very important occasion for french women in that century, maybe it the only way they have their excitment. But i'm sure not all women like mathilde.

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is about the story of brilliant scientist named Dr Henry Jekyll who is experimenting to separate the good and evil sides within each man but finally dies because he unable to control his double life as Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. In this world, those who are in higher class always looks good in the society even though they’re evil inside. Undeniably, it’s true that these people are treated very nice by others. But when they are doing badly, everybody will notice them. From this story, I realize that man by nature both good and bad. We cannot separate it from ourselves. However, Dr Jekyll cannot accept this and tries to separate these two sides of his character, leading to his tragic death. I also learn that in Victorian society which is very strict with regard to moral values; people are often force to present a false front to the public to avoid ridicule. It is common that all human being always trying to hide their bad sides and always being hypocrite. This is just to maintain ourselves and not criticized by the society. But, I think honesty is the best policy. We should being honest when we’re doing badly. As a human, it’s acceptable that nobody’s perfect. In my own beliefs as a Muslims, we should thanks to God for His creation. These two sides are challenge for us to choose whether we should follow the devil or God. So, we should always consider our own beliefs and religions so that we’re always doing right things.

From The Drover’s Wife short story, I feel so pity to the characters. This is because; they’re only woman, the children and the dog who are struggling in that night fighting the snake. They lived in a bush. I myself couldn’t imagine if I’m living in that bush; whereby I was exposed to dangerous of wild animal, bad weather and so on. It makes me understand how others are suffering to live. This story is really touching. We may see that they are so many poor people and how they live in their life. As a Muslims, I beliefs that we should help each others especially the single mother, the children who doesn’t have parents and living at welfare home. It’s not only as a Muslim; others religions also were asking their follower to help each others. That’s why God creates human with their class. We should always appreciate what we have. Sometimes, we see that others who are rich didn’t help the poor people. It’s a rule of life whereby poor people are not given their rights. All men are created equal. But, in Malaysia; there are still people who still helped each other. Everyday, they are people who asking a help in the television and others come to help. For instance, flood in Johor a few months ago and tsunami’s. It’s shown that others in Malaysia are generous and helpful person.