After 18 Years Behind Bars, Journalist Win Tin?s Fiery Spirit is Far from Broken..."...I lived in the same cell block as Win Tin for four years, until I was transferred to another prison. He talked to me and other prisoners o?n every topic except his personal life and family, admitting o?nly that it was difficult to live alone. The news from outside that was so important to him never disclosed anything about any family members, although friends visited and engaged him in debate. He never asked any favor from anybody apart from news and books. If he was given a treat he gave it away to somebody more in need. o?nce, o?n my birthday, I asked him to let me wash his blanket. He refused, but I told him I wanted to perform a kuthoel (a good deed) o?n my birthday, and then he handed his blanket over. And it certainly needed washing! Win Tin told me he?d like to see me become a journalist, and he set about teaching me the trade. He entrusted me with completing his unfinished works. Whatever I achieve as a journalist I shall owe to him. His strict routine extends to his eating habits—just o?ne daily meal and some gruel in the evening. He has his preferences, though: sausages, fried eel and peanuts. But his teeth give him problems, and he can?t manage hard food. He has other health problems, which restrict what comfort he has in prison. He has to wear a neck collar because of a spinal problem and a hernia belt. Despite failing health and the rigors of life in o?ne of the world?s most notorious prisons, Win Tin?s spirit remains unbroken. He is truly a tiger—and will remain o?ne..."