Maung-Maung

I found the theme of Meeting Maung-Maung to be “don’t judge a book by its cover, especially if this book has been nothing but kind to you.” The narrator brings up many stereotypes that come with tour guides like how they are “cunning” and “suspicious”. The narrator makes the assumption that whenever Maung-Maung shows him kindness, he is actually trying to trick the narrator, even after he gives him gifts and shares his home and treasures with them. 

When traveling, you must have an open mind and an open heart. The narrator is proven wrong in his assumptions of Maung-Maung, and would not have gotten to experience his story or character if he did not let himself learn to trust others. Not everyone abroad is out to get you. Sure, there are shifty characters that do want to cause harm, but not everyone is cruel and most are genuine and kind.