One afternoon, in late 1953, our kindergarten welcomed two unknown visitors. The first one was broad shouldered, massive, wearing a sampot cloth around his neck, without hat, popular blue clothes, a round collar shirt and in appearance resembled to a simple farmer, with the difference that his mustache gave him a virile look. The second one was rather thin, angular features piercing eyes a wearing a straw hat.
As they jumped down from the back of their hourses, aunt Khamla Vongsak, aunt Khampheng Boupha, aunt Chansy Vongvichit, who formed the teaching body and directing board of the school hurried out to greet them with happiness.
?The great uncle is here, the great uncle is here.?
The little children who did not understand a thing gathered to peek at the visitors. As the Directing Board led them to the center of the school, the children learnt then that the two visitors were uncle Souphanouvong and uncle Kaysone Phomvihane, at the time respectively Prime Minister of the Lao Issara Government and Advisor at the Ministry of national Defense.
Uncle Souphanouvong entered to greet all the teachers and embraced the smallest schoolchildren.
On this same evening, the population of Mueang Pane celebrated the Independence Day of October 12 in the central place of the village. A picture of uncle Souphanouvong hung above the presidium. Agitation cadres and the village committee were all sitting on the podium. While uncle Soupha and uncle Kaysone stood among our school fellows. During the whole festivity, nobody knew that the one they hailed with, ?Long life to Prince Souphanouvong? was standing there and dancing the lamvong with them. They were not informed for security reasons. In the morning of the following day, uncle Souphanouvong led the schoolchildren running sound their school several times, then of the orchard at the bank of the river. He borrowed a pick from the schoolchildren to make vegetable plots. Each time he hit the ground with his pick, the land would shake, and when his face and body would bathe in sweat would dry up, he told every school children to swim along the bank of the river in the cold weather of the month of October.
This was the first time I saw uncle Souphanouvong at the Lao Issara Central Kindergarten at Ban Pane, Samneua district, Houaphan province.
Prince Souphanouvong is the unique aristocrat of royal blood in the world to have embraced communism and voluntarily presented his candidacy for the Communist Party membership to fight against the imperialistic feudal and capitalists and has become a leader of the Lao revolution.
During the struggle of national independence against the American imperialists, I was assigned from time to time to work with Prince Souphanouvong. He was named minister at the first coalition in 1975. Though under the pressure of heavy and difficult duties, as well under the constant threat from the part of the reactionaries and the Americans, he remained unshakably faithful and confident towards the revolution. Each time he received visiting cadres at the Pakpasak residence, he would serve them tea and cakes himself in a very familiar way. He showed his concern for the revolutionary cares and fighters assigned to posts in remote areas and for the population of the former revolutionary basis. His conversation gave strength and confidence in the revolution, in the solitary struggle against the enemy. Even when he was to be persecuted by the court of justice, he still had the time to warn the cadres that ?Our brothers must not feel discouraged though I am arrested though the leaders of the Lao Patriotic Front are imprisoned, the revolution is not extinguished three million Lao people will continue the struggle and the final victory will belong to the Lao people.?
During his imprisonment with the other leaders of the Lao Patriotic Front in 1959 at Phone Kheng, every time we brought them food sent by their families, the Prince would send pictures he painted himself, sometimes sunflowers, or big ripe papayas to his own family or the families of the other companion leaders.
Prince Souphanouvong?s special feature was that besides practicing gymnastics, he also was an ardent researcher and though he already possessed a high knowledge, it seemed that all the time left from work would be dedicated to self erudition.
After the liberation of the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khouang in 1961. I had the opportunity to type document for Prince Souphanouvong and Prince Souvanna Phouma at the Khang Khay Office of the Prime Minister. I noticed that for Prince Souphanouvong felt special concern for the smaller cadres. Besides giving recommendations for the work to be executed, he still took care of our living conditions, and several times served us hot milk himself. After work, before sitting at his dining table, he would never forget to remind the cook to bring us our meal, though this task belonged to his staff.
During the physical work in red Saturdays in 1961-1962, for Prince Souphanouvong would both stimulate the people and he himself would work with a pick until he would sweat abundantly. Though Prince Souphanouvong possesses the rank of Chief of State, people who used to live close to him do not feel any embarrassment or fear in his presence, and even amongst meeting him incidentally would crowd around him and touch his hands and arms with familiarity like sons and father.
During the furious aerial warfare at Khouha, Viengxay, each time I met him for some work, he would immediately ask: How is your health?? or Have you already taken your meal?? Though these are small questions, but they reflect the concern of the reader towards the follower. Once, together with comrade Soulivong Prasithideth, I led foreign visitors to meet him at the Lao Patriotic Front cave. Since aircraft were heavily dropping bombs, we could not go back to the cave which served as guest house. The office of the Lao Patriotic Front?s cave had to share the President?s portion of food for the visitors? lunch. In order not to disturb the visitors and the readers, comrade Soulivong Prasithideth took me by the arm and we hid in the inner cave. But still Prince Souphanouvong sent someone to look for us and invite us to join his meal. We had to lie that we had already eaten.
After the Prince and his guests had finished their meal, we returned to the cave to continue to work. As he saw us, he took us by the arms and led us to the inner cave and gave each one of us two or three grabs of biscuits. ?I know that you have not eaten yet?Do not to do that, you have gain strength if you want to work!?
We could only smile wryly, half ashamed and half admitting our fault. Prior to the national liberation, he became President of the Lao People?s Democratic Republic. His function and role towards the nation was most heavy and greater than in the period of the struggle for the national liberation. Nevertheless, he would never forget the former revolutionary cadres and fighters who have worked with him. At each encounter, he would always take the initiative to shake hands and inquire on their health and living conditions, their work and on other comrades