I had purchased a copy of all his books from the restaurant some time ago and the staff had informed me that Daniel regularly visited.

I enjoyed his books so much that I frequently visited the restaurant in the hope I would get a chance to meet the famous author. 

I finally caught him last Saturday.

As he entered the restaurant, I could hardly contain the excitement of meeting Daniel Kumbon, the famous Papua New Guinean author and journalist.

However, I did not have the courage to approach him for a chat.

I waited for them to finish their meal.

But even after the staff cleared the table I didn’t know how to approach the man who had written seven books.

Then I had an idea. I called over the beautiful female staff member and asked for a help.

After she talked to Daniel, he turned to me and the prominent writer’s eyes met mine.

I walked over to him and introduced myself briefly.

Our conversation shot to the top of Mt Giluwe. We talked like old friends. He was like a father to me.

We talked for a long time. Kumbon was generous to share with me not only his time but two of his best pieces of writing advice.

“Son, write clearly and be brief,” he advised me.

I later confirmed this with an internet source.

Great writers like Shakespeare wrote very simple sentences and wrote clearly and concisely.

“Write in the mornings,” he added. “Your mind is fresh in the mornings, and undisturbed.”

When I said I was writing a novel, he was pleased.

“I’d like to read the first chapter of it,” he said.

But my greatest surprise came when he gave me a copy of his latest book.

“I have been keeping the book for a friend but I will give it to you,” he said.

He immediately left the restaurant to get the book for me.

When he was gone, I was thinking, ‘How could this senior writer do such a huge favour to me, a stranger?’

Daniel, that was a beautiful thing you did for me. I won’t forget that moment.

He returned later with the book, Legend Of The Miok Egg’. He signed his name on the back of the front cover and added a short phrase below his signature: ‘Memories are forever’.

What a beautiful phrase, Daniel. I am still thinking of that phrase. A whole story could be written about it.

Kumbon encouraged me to keep on writing. He said, “Write for those who are not able to write for themselves. Be their voice. Leave something behind for the next generation.”

Before we left, I asked if I could take a selfie with him. I checked my smartphone and was disappointed to learn the battery was flat.

Daniel took out a small Canon camera from his basket and clicked several selfies.

In the afternoon he emailed me the photos.

“The photo quality is not good,” he said in the email, “but don’t worry. It’s still us.”

I emailed him the first chapter of my novel the next day.

He read it and came back with very constructive feedback. His suggestions to improve the manuscript were invaluable.

Daniel is an amazing writer. If you would like to buy a Daniel Kumbon book, check at the Ribito Restaurant at Waigani Central, Port Moresby. Several copies of Daniel’s books are available there.

Daniel, thank you for the chat. You made my day. I went away with beautiful memories.

‘Memories are forever.’

Richard Napam graduated from the University of Papua New Guinea with a Bachelor of Economics in 2016 and is an economist with the Bank of Papua New Guinea. Richard is currently revising my first novel and working on two other novels