Khin Mya (aka Khin Myo Chit) is one of a small number of recognized Burmese (now Myanmars) authors who wrote in English as well as their native tongue. The story takes place during World War II at the time the Japanese occupied Burma. It tells of the humorous experiences of a young couple who are finding it hard to make ends meet. The woman fails at running a market stall, and comes up with a plan to become rich overnight. All she has to do is find someone with a 13-carat diamond they are willing sell.
Original Text / PDF (3,641 words)
According to the author’s son, this story describes some of his mother’s own experiences in war-time Burma. Perhaps the best comment that can be made about it comes from a reviewer on goodreads.com who wrote:
Reading Khin Myo Chit is like sitting on the floor and listening to your Burmese grandmother tell stories of day-to-day life under Japanese occupation.
The story is presented in a dry, self-mocking tone and makes quite extensive use of satire. As anyone familiar with modern day Asia will know, two of the cultural traits made fun of in The 13-Carat Diamond continue to exist to this day: 1) The tendency to judge people by outward appearances (dress, house, mode of transport, etc.) instead of their true qualities; and 2) In business, trying wherever possible to make easy money by acting a broker as opposed to adding any real value. Rather than just seeking to entertain, Khin Mya could well have been using the story to point out these issues.