Xieng Mieng is a very clever man.
A major character in Lao folklore is a very clever man named Xieng Mieng. Xieng Mieng is a common man who outwits the king and rich merchants in his stories. Almost every Lao person can tell you a story about Xieng Mieng, as the stories originated centuries ago and have been a part of Laos culture and oral tradition since.
The stories are quite humorous and uplifting. I think the translation to English contributes to the humor as well. Each story relates a lesson of education and discovering the literal meaning of words and actions. Thought provoking in the least, the stories contribute to developing creativity and snub pretentions.