A Chinese named Yang Heyang wrote an article on Sina.com, recalling how he became “the funniest man in the world”, a title conferred to him by the kind citizens of Kiel, Germany.

It was during the Hanover World Expo of 2000 that the author paid a visit to his sister living in Kiel of north Germany. During his brief two month stay in Germany he had a quite good time and became very famous in the town. Many local strangers would wave to him across the street in big smile and call him a celebrity, why so?

It all started with a piece of news read to the author by his sister. It was about a story contest on “Nature and Man”, organized by a local technical college, three winners of this contest would get the prize of a free roundtrip travel across Europe. After reading the news, the sister asked if the author was interested.

“Can I participate? I am a foreigner…” He asked.
“It didn’t say no, so that means yes,” answered she.

The author then bent himself on the desk and worked out a really good article. He then gave it to his sister, who translated it in German and submitted it to the organizers.

Not long after, a letter came to the author saying that all participants are invited to the awarding ceremony, on which the name of winners will be disclosed in an Oscar-Award way, i.e., no one knows who the winner is in advance. What a mystery! However, the German-speaking sister and sister-in-law by accident were occupied on that very important day… well, said the sister, don’t worry, the Germans pronouce Chinese names just exactly as we do, Yang Hai-yang, there should be no problem about it.

The author then prepared himself fully for the ceremony, and when he arrived at the college it was still too early. Adhering to his motto of never wasting any precious moment of his life, the author strolled to a gymn and had a good flex of all his muscles. He then went back to the auditorium briskly, and waited for the ceremony to begin.

The curtain finally opened, a M.C. came up to the stage, looked around, and the with a solemn, majestic and undoubtful facial expression, fished out a red little book from his pocket, waved it in the air and then spelled out a name loudly and slowly:

Yang, He, Yang!

That’s my name! Just as the Chinese spelled it! Free roundtrip travel across Europe! Me! The author couldn’t believe his ears. He jumped into the air and just like all oscar stars, waved to the audience vehemently, and bounced to the stage handsomely. What a luck!

He warmly shook hands with the M.C., and pointed to himself, “Ich, Yang, He, Yang”. The M.C. nodded agreeingly, and handed him the book. Without much hesitance, the author held the book dearly to his chest, turned his face to the audience and showed all his teeth. Now, the trophies and flowers please!

Yet nothing showed up. The M.C. only smiled and smiled and didn’t budge. And the audience started to applause really loud. But nobody served the trophy yet. Is that the meaning of efficiency here? The author looked back to the M.C. in puzzlement, maybe this is the German way of doing it? Let the winner go for the trophy himself? The author then pointed to the smallest trophy and looked at the M.C. questioningly. No, he shook his head. Then the author pointed to the middle one. No, he shook his head again. Gosh, that must be the biggest trophy! The author got really excited, he took up the biggest trophy and waved it to the audience. Look at me!

The audience went so loud and wild that many even stood up to applause. When the author was ready to descend from the stage, the M.C. finally found his voice. He found a young man who can speak a few Chinese words, but no without quite some stutter and a big blush.

“With your permission,” he said, “before the awarding ceremony, please allow me to make an announcement, Mr. Yang He Yang from China, Yang He Yang, would you please come to the stage, your passport is found in the gymnastic room, if you’re here, please come up to the stage and get it after the awarding ceremony, thank you.” 

It is only then that Mr. Yang realize that the red book he waved to the audience is really a familiar thing.