In his element ....

Since Akmal was posted at Underwater World Langkawi, he had to be in charge of feeding the otters for the first month he was there. After  two weeks he managed to train them to ask for food. They were given names by the staff of UWL. The leader was Atan. Then there was Teja ...plus four pups. Akmal had always loved animals. He was in his element when he was with animals. The first time my friend, Aunty Furziah, gave him a kitten, he carried it everywhere in his pocket. We called him Mr. Grey. He did not live long due to an infection and a visit to the vet could not save him. Due to the bond between them, Mr. Grey waited for him till he came back from school and died in his arms. Over their growing up years we had a few more cats, rabbits, fishes...even a tortoise they found along the road and brought home.

Atan, the otter, taking his food from Akmal

After that it was his turn with the penguins. The South African penguins. He made sure that they ate all their food ration. The penguins refused to eat unless he fed them personally. It was entertaining to listen to him regaled about his internship with these creatures. Being an obliging young man, restless and hyperactive if he had nothing to do, he always volunteered to help out with cleaning the aquarium and whatever chores around the place. No wonder his lecturer in UMS retained him as his Research Assistant.

Another month to go for his internship. UWL offered him a job with them but I advised him against it as I would prefer him to do his masters first. He enjoyed his stint at UWL and I hope wherever he goes, he would always be doing something that he loved and enjoyed. He would be going back to UMS as an RA and starting his masters in February. It's his life and although I wish him to be nearer, I accept that he is happy and in his element there. My blessings and prayers are with him ....