The gaunt figure that inched its way slowly towards the medicine counter looked old and haggard.
Her dreary-looking outfit did nothing to conceal her bleak and depressing demeanour. Anyone who looked at her would have thought she carried the world’s burdens on her shoulders.
Quietly, she sat on one of the chairs and waited patiently, like the rest of us, for her number to be flashed on the digital screen.
I was rattled. I knew I had seen her somewhere before — a younger, happier version. There was no way I could be wrong. Like an arrow released from its bow, the buried and forgotten memories pierced my heart with an unknown intensity.
It had to be Mary Anne, my best friend in secondary school. Then again, this person looked old, much too old to be 29. Anyway, I summoned enough courage and went towards her. Hearing my footsteps, she looked up slowly. The flash of recognition in her eyes told me I was not wrong.
“It is you, Mary Anne Danker, is it not?”
She nodded her head silently as if embarrassed.
“Hello, John? You are looking good.”
Her remarks reminded me of how beautiful she had been once. Mary Anne had been the school beauty. Everyone had admired her for her looks, her brains and her beautiful character.
Many had said, rather enviously, that God had worked overtime with her – making her one of his masterpieces.
One day, Mary Anne had stopped coming to school. Devastated, I had gone to her house, only to find it all locked up. Checks with neighbours proved futile. No one knew where the Danker family had gone and why they had left so suddenly.
Taking a seat next to her, I wondered what had happened to the ravishing beauty I had once known.
“Why did you leave so suddenly, Mary Anne? Why?”
She looked at me nervously, clasping and unclasping her hands in her lap. I could sense that she was rather reluctant to talk, reluctant to expose a part of her life which had probably caused her a great deal of pain and suffering. A prolonged silence ensued. Finally, she inhaled deeply and started telling me her story.
Her mother had been diagnosed with endstage cancer and there was nothing the doctors could do. They said that she had only three months to live. Her father thought it best to return to their hometown, to let her live in peace in the surroundings she had grown up in.
Her father, devastated by his wife’s death, started to neglect his own health and three months later, he too died of a broken heart, leaving Mary Anne in the care of relatives.
Tears rolled down Mary Anne’s cheeks as she related the difficult years with her aunt.
The old widow treated her badly, forcing Mary Anne to quit school and to work as a dishwasher in a restaurant. The cruel old lady often beat her, and her cousins, jealous of her beauty, were more vicious than their mother.
Now that the aunt was old and suffering from cancer, her five children had deserted her when they realised that she needed special care. Despite her aunt’s ghastly treatment of her, Mary Anne felt sorry for her.
“I cannot leave her. She has no one else,” she said. “I have promised to take care of her till the end of her life.”
I looked at Mary Anne and saw her goodness. Instead of seeing a gaunt and weary figure, I saw an amazingly beautiful human being.
My heart went out to her. Just then her number was flashed on the screen. She got up and collected the medicine which, I understood, was for her aunt. Never had I felt so helpless and wretched. Her story reminded me of something my late grandfather used to say,
“Life is like an onion: You peel it off one layer at a time, and sometimes you weep.”
Before leaving, Mary Anne turned and smiled sadly at me. I never saw her again after that.
(677 words)
(Adapted from education@The Star 7/9/2008)
http://thestar.com.my/education/story.asp?file=/2008/9/7/education/1936035
Sunday 29 January 2012
Friday 27 January 2012
Nerd : Redefined
Nerd: an intelligent but single-minded person obsessed with a non-social hobby or pursuit.
I love books. They’re my best friends. In fact, once upon a time, the only boyfriends I had were Harry Potter and Edward Cullen, if you know what I mean.
I have to say that I am perfectly content with how my life id but I’d be lying if I said that the little dreamer deep within me didn’t yearn for some TLC. I’d be lying if I said I never dreamt of Prince Charming sweeping me off my feet. I’d also be lying if I said I liked being alone.
Growing up as an introvert is not the greatest thing. I rarely ventured outside my comfort zone and preferred the companionship of books to people. But yes, reading does have disadvantages.
My first day of secondary school was awkward. Stepping onto unfamiliar territory is not my forte. Too bad the back door of the classroom was locked or I would have sneaked in from behind. No such luck.
So I entered from the front with as much bravura as I could muster which wasn’t much considering how I shuffled along the walls and tried not to be noticed.
I touched down safely at the very end of the classroom and tried to look busy, ignoring the stares my new classmates were giving me. A guy at the same table didn’t stare but the look in his eyes showed that he understood how horrible being in my shoes was.
I cannot remember the first words we exchanged but I was glad we did because we became close friends in our remaining two years of school. Then we went our separate ways and I thought I’d never find a companion like him again.
However, I met a stranger whom I never knew would become my best friend. She astounded me because we are so alike. We became joined at the hips, like sisters.
Then it dawned to me that friendship is like a kite. You have to let it soar high up in the air. If you hold the thread too tightly, it will crash to the ground. Although your kite seems small and distant from afar, you know it’s there in the sky because you’re connected to it by that thread. And you’re comforted because wherever the kite goes, it will return to you.
I appreciate people who make someone smile, who take the time to know someone, who accept someone without judging him or her. They are no Oprah Winfrey or Mother Teresa, but in their own way, they help make the world a better place by bringing hope to those who are alone.
And to those who are discouraged, and feel useless and ever so small, I wish to say this: “You are someone. Just believe and you will be.”
Nerd: just another noun that fails to take into account the person as a whole.
(490 words)
(Adapted from Carolyn Low Chai Foong @Heart & Soul Star2 25 September 2011)
I love books. They’re my best friends. In fact, once upon a time, the only boyfriends I had were Harry Potter and Edward Cullen, if you know what I mean.
I have to say that I am perfectly content with how my life id but I’d be lying if I said that the little dreamer deep within me didn’t yearn for some TLC. I’d be lying if I said I never dreamt of Prince Charming sweeping me off my feet. I’d also be lying if I said I liked being alone.
Growing up as an introvert is not the greatest thing. I rarely ventured outside my comfort zone and preferred the companionship of books to people. But yes, reading does have disadvantages.
My first day of secondary school was awkward. Stepping onto unfamiliar territory is not my forte. Too bad the back door of the classroom was locked or I would have sneaked in from behind. No such luck.
So I entered from the front with as much bravura as I could muster which wasn’t much considering how I shuffled along the walls and tried not to be noticed.
I touched down safely at the very end of the classroom and tried to look busy, ignoring the stares my new classmates were giving me. A guy at the same table didn’t stare but the look in his eyes showed that he understood how horrible being in my shoes was.
I cannot remember the first words we exchanged but I was glad we did because we became close friends in our remaining two years of school. Then we went our separate ways and I thought I’d never find a companion like him again.
However, I met a stranger whom I never knew would become my best friend. She astounded me because we are so alike. We became joined at the hips, like sisters.
Then it dawned to me that friendship is like a kite. You have to let it soar high up in the air. If you hold the thread too tightly, it will crash to the ground. Although your kite seems small and distant from afar, you know it’s there in the sky because you’re connected to it by that thread. And you’re comforted because wherever the kite goes, it will return to you.
I appreciate people who make someone smile, who take the time to know someone, who accept someone without judging him or her. They are no Oprah Winfrey or Mother Teresa, but in their own way, they help make the world a better place by bringing hope to those who are alone.
And to those who are discouraged, and feel useless and ever so small, I wish to say this: “You are someone. Just believe and you will be.”
Nerd: just another noun that fails to take into account the person as a whole.
(490 words)
(Adapted from Carolyn Low Chai Foong @Heart & Soul Star2 25 September 2011)
Wednesday 25 January 2012
It was the faraway look that ...
It was the faraway look that caught my attention. His eyes had swept past the group of kids poring over a laptop and come to rest on the sun-drenched lawn.
“Ahmad, why don’t you tell us something about your childhood days?” I asked. Startled by my unexpected question, a bemused smile played at the corner of his lips.
He related that in the absence of television, the computer and other forms of entertainment, he and his friends spent most of their time roaming the neighbourhood, brimming with mischievous schemes.
One sunny morning, a group of teenage kampung friends with fishing nets and pails in hand appeared at his doorstep. Despite the cast on his arm (he fell from a coconut tree a week before), he followed his friends as they headed towards a nearby paddy field. The boys quickly bailed out the water in the field and were soon groping and grabbing at the fish thrashing wildly in the muddy shallows. When they finally emerged from the shallows, he noticed that his plaster cast was coated with a thick layer of mud. In the excitement of the moment, he had forgotten entirely about the cast!
A stone’s throw from his house, an old couple lived in a hut nestled amongst a variety of fruit trees. Beside the hut stood a mango which, when in season, was laden with luscious mangoes.
The sight of the fruits was enough to make Ahmad drool. One morning he approached the old lady and asked, “ Mak cik, may I have some of those mangoes?” “No!” came the curt reply. The next day, he approached her again. “Mak cik, can I buy those mangoes?” “NO!” The answer was loud and clear. With downcast eyes Ahmad slunk home and resolved to teach her a lesson.
The next morning, Ahmad and his friend Samad passed the old lady’s orchard. They then stopped to gaze longingly at the irresistible clusters of langsat that clung to the boughs of the trees. They inhaled deeply at the fragrance of durian wafted across the morning air. A plan was hatched.
That night was moonless. Two figures could be seen making their way towards the orchard. But for the pale flickering light of a kerosene lamp in the old couple’s hut and the crackle and crunch of twigs and dried leaves, all was dark and quiet. That night they were rewarded with four durians and heaps of langsat.
Another dark night found the boys back in the orchard. They had just begun their nocturnal activity when they heard a shout coming from the couple’s house. Had they been spotted? They paused to listen. Then they heard the unmistakable scream for help.
When the boys rushed into the hut, they saw the mac cik sobbing and struggling to lift an old man from the kitchen floor. They helped to carry the unconscious man up the few steps into the living room.
As Ahmad looked around him, he noticed the tattered furniture and loose floorboards. Then he recalled the mak cik’s harsh demeanour and their exploits. Had they been depriving the poor couple of their only source of income?
As the mak cik mumbled her gratitude, the boys saw the pain and sadness in her eyes. Riddled with guilt they decided to end their childish pranks.
Although they walked home empty-handed that night, they were not disappointed, for their little act of kindness had given them a great sense of fulfillment. They had set out to harvest durians but instead went home with a harvest of valuable lessons for life.
(596 words)
(Adapted from Wan Chwee Seng@Senior Star2, 27 July 2011)
“Ahmad, why don’t you tell us something about your childhood days?” I asked. Startled by my unexpected question, a bemused smile played at the corner of his lips.
He related that in the absence of television, the computer and other forms of entertainment, he and his friends spent most of their time roaming the neighbourhood, brimming with mischievous schemes.
One sunny morning, a group of teenage kampung friends with fishing nets and pails in hand appeared at his doorstep. Despite the cast on his arm (he fell from a coconut tree a week before), he followed his friends as they headed towards a nearby paddy field. The boys quickly bailed out the water in the field and were soon groping and grabbing at the fish thrashing wildly in the muddy shallows. When they finally emerged from the shallows, he noticed that his plaster cast was coated with a thick layer of mud. In the excitement of the moment, he had forgotten entirely about the cast!
A stone’s throw from his house, an old couple lived in a hut nestled amongst a variety of fruit trees. Beside the hut stood a mango which, when in season, was laden with luscious mangoes.
The sight of the fruits was enough to make Ahmad drool. One morning he approached the old lady and asked, “ Mak cik, may I have some of those mangoes?” “No!” came the curt reply. The next day, he approached her again. “Mak cik, can I buy those mangoes?” “NO!” The answer was loud and clear. With downcast eyes Ahmad slunk home and resolved to teach her a lesson.
The next morning, Ahmad and his friend Samad passed the old lady’s orchard. They then stopped to gaze longingly at the irresistible clusters of langsat that clung to the boughs of the trees. They inhaled deeply at the fragrance of durian wafted across the morning air. A plan was hatched.
That night was moonless. Two figures could be seen making their way towards the orchard. But for the pale flickering light of a kerosene lamp in the old couple’s hut and the crackle and crunch of twigs and dried leaves, all was dark and quiet. That night they were rewarded with four durians and heaps of langsat.
Another dark night found the boys back in the orchard. They had just begun their nocturnal activity when they heard a shout coming from the couple’s house. Had they been spotted? They paused to listen. Then they heard the unmistakable scream for help.
When the boys rushed into the hut, they saw the mac cik sobbing and struggling to lift an old man from the kitchen floor. They helped to carry the unconscious man up the few steps into the living room.
As Ahmad looked around him, he noticed the tattered furniture and loose floorboards. Then he recalled the mak cik’s harsh demeanour and their exploits. Had they been depriving the poor couple of their only source of income?
As the mak cik mumbled her gratitude, the boys saw the pain and sadness in her eyes. Riddled with guilt they decided to end their childish pranks.
Although they walked home empty-handed that night, they were not disappointed, for their little act of kindness had given them a great sense of fulfillment. They had set out to harvest durians but instead went home with a harvest of valuable lessons for life.
(596 words)
(Adapted from Wan Chwee Seng@Senior Star2, 27 July 2011)
Thursday 19 January 2012
.... I shall never forget this day for the rest of my life
I could not tear my eyes away from the empty chair near the teacher’s desk. It was difficult to concentrate on the task in front of me although it was given by my most fierce teacher, Pn Rosnah and I would incur her wrath if I didn’t complete it. So much had happened since yesterday and my mind was still reeling from it.
Twenty-four hours ago Salim was sitting in that seat right in front of the teacher’s desk, struggling with the Mathematics exam. He was so relieved when the finals were over. We went out to the nearby Kopi tiam to celebrate our ‘freedom’. He ordered a plate of fried rice and his favourite drink, iced Milo and I noticed that he looked a little bit under the weather. When I mentioned it to him, he brushed it aside as exam fever. Little did I know that it would be the last time I saw him alive.
Later that night I received a call from his mother. She told me that Salim had been admitted to the hospital that evening. Then she paused and said quietly. “Salim has left us. He fell in the bathroom and never regained consciousness” I was utterly shocked.
Now, sitting at my desk and doing the task absent-mindedly, my eyes swept around the room. My friends were concentrating on their tasks . All of them had serious expressions on their faces and some of them looked at me once in a while. They knew Salim and I were very close. I glanced at the clock against the wall and realised that it was late. We would be going to the funeral service after the school was over. How was i going to say goodbye to my friend? He was always there for me through thick and thin. Till now, I could hear his jokes, his clowning with us after the exam.
The school bell rang and we trooped into our class teacher’s van. I was sad during the journey. I suddenly remembered the last time we were together in the van during our class trip to Kuantan. He made us laugh with his jokes and antics.
At the funeral, his family looked calm but their faces were full of sorrows. Then it was the time when his body was lowered into the grave. I looked at his mother and wanted to say a few words of comfort but I choked with sadness His mother looked at me and smiled understandingly. I said my prayers and deep in my heart I knew that I shall never forget this day for the rest of my life.
Twenty-four hours ago Salim was sitting in that seat right in front of the teacher’s desk, struggling with the Mathematics exam. He was so relieved when the finals were over. We went out to the nearby Kopi tiam to celebrate our ‘freedom’. He ordered a plate of fried rice and his favourite drink, iced Milo and I noticed that he looked a little bit under the weather. When I mentioned it to him, he brushed it aside as exam fever. Little did I know that it would be the last time I saw him alive.
Later that night I received a call from his mother. She told me that Salim had been admitted to the hospital that evening. Then she paused and said quietly. “Salim has left us. He fell in the bathroom and never regained consciousness” I was utterly shocked.
Now, sitting at my desk and doing the task absent-mindedly, my eyes swept around the room. My friends were concentrating on their tasks . All of them had serious expressions on their faces and some of them looked at me once in a while. They knew Salim and I were very close. I glanced at the clock against the wall and realised that it was late. We would be going to the funeral service after the school was over. How was i going to say goodbye to my friend? He was always there for me through thick and thin. Till now, I could hear his jokes, his clowning with us after the exam.
The school bell rang and we trooped into our class teacher’s van. I was sad during the journey. I suddenly remembered the last time we were together in the van during our class trip to Kuantan. He made us laugh with his jokes and antics.
At the funeral, his family looked calm but their faces were full of sorrows. Then it was the time when his body was lowered into the grave. I looked at his mother and wanted to say a few words of comfort but I choked with sadness His mother looked at me and smiled understandingly. I said my prayers and deep in my heart I knew that I shall never forget this day for the rest of my life.
Sunday 15 January 2012
I opened my eyes ...
I opened my eyes but my vision was blurred far too much for me to see anything. My eyes stung and I closed them once more. My body felt suspended in time; not moving, not breathing, just floating in space.
I would be enjoying the serenity of the moment but for the burning in my lungs, the screaming in my brain. It took me another moment to realise that someone really was screaming somewhere above me, but the sound was strange, distorted as though heard through a long tunnel. The screaming didn’t hold my attention very long though. I felt strange, like I was alone in the world and that time had slowed down for me. I couldn’t take it any more. I took a breath.
Water rushed in gleefully, relishing the chance to drive all the oxygen from my lungs. I felt like my skull was being cleaved into two. My heart was pounding, my blood rushing to my head, which only added to the pain and confusion. My limbs wouldn’t move. I turned my head in the direction I thought was up, and opened my eyes to a slit. I saw the sun far above, but everything else around me was dark. The sun was also engulfed by the darkness. I closed my eyes; the daggers of salt water hurt.
Then a band of warmth seized my wrist. Another one, a stronger one, wrapped around my waist. The warmth was supremely comforting but the rest of me was still so cold. I was being propelled forward. I couldn’t do anything but hung there limply in someones’s arms.
Then my face broke the surface, and the warmth of the smiling sun welcomed me back to Earth, dancing across my skin lovingly. I gulped in huge breaths of air.
(Adapted from Laura Lee, Stuff@School The Sunday STAR, 4/7/2011)
I would be enjoying the serenity of the moment but for the burning in my lungs, the screaming in my brain. It took me another moment to realise that someone really was screaming somewhere above me, but the sound was strange, distorted as though heard through a long tunnel. The screaming didn’t hold my attention very long though. I felt strange, like I was alone in the world and that time had slowed down for me. I couldn’t take it any more. I took a breath.
Water rushed in gleefully, relishing the chance to drive all the oxygen from my lungs. I felt like my skull was being cleaved into two. My heart was pounding, my blood rushing to my head, which only added to the pain and confusion. My limbs wouldn’t move. I turned my head in the direction I thought was up, and opened my eyes to a slit. I saw the sun far above, but everything else around me was dark. The sun was also engulfed by the darkness. I closed my eyes; the daggers of salt water hurt.
Then a band of warmth seized my wrist. Another one, a stronger one, wrapped around my waist. The warmth was supremely comforting but the rest of me was still so cold. I was being propelled forward. I couldn’t do anything but hung there limply in someones’s arms.
Then my face broke the surface, and the warmth of the smiling sun welcomed me back to Earth, dancing across my skin lovingly. I gulped in huge breaths of air.
(Adapted from Laura Lee, Stuff@School The Sunday STAR, 4/7/2011)
Monday 9 January 2012
Guidelines to Directed Writing (SPM 1119/1)
Given appropriate guidance, even candidates who are linguistically weak should be able to handle this question. Why?
Candidates do not have to worry about what to write as they are given help with content. The content is provided in the form of points and candidates need to rewrite the points in the form of sentences without distorting the meaning. Candidates can score FULL MARKS for content if they are able to use the information given in grammatically sound sentences, irrespective of the sentence type or length.
Guidelines:
1. Read the question carefully.
2. Use the 45 minutes allocated for this question wisely. Bear in mind, no matter how much you write, you can only score a maximum of 15 marks for content.
3. Include an introduction and a conclusion and make sure your paragraphs are well-organised.
4. Use ALL content points given. Cross out the points you have used to make sure no point is left out.
5. Use the points in the order in which they are given to avoid leaving out a point.
6. Avoid paraphrasing the points given. This may result in distortion of meaning.
7. Include points of your own ONLY if you are asked to.
8. You should elaborate on the points given. Your elaborations can be in the form of examples, facts and figures or any extra information.
9. Use a variety of sentence structures so that your essay is not dull and monotonous.
10. Use effective vocabulary such as using appropriate words and expressions to convey meaning.
11. Include suitable idiomatic expressions or quotations to enhance your writing.
12. Always read through what you have written.
13. Submit a neatly written piece of work.
Common mistakes:
1. Poor time management.
What to do: Do not spend more than the allocated 45 minutes. Remember that Continuous Writing carries more marks.
2. Lengthy essay.
What to do: Do not write too much. A response of 1 ½ - 2 pages is sufficient.
3. Usage of Informal language.
What to do: Do not use spoken language. Avoid using slang words (guys, dudes, brekkie), contractions (can’t, mustn’t etc) and informal language.
4. Too many idiomatic expressions.
Directed Writing is NOT similar to your Bahasa Melayu paper where using as many idiomatic expression as you can in your writing is a required practice.
What to do: One or two idiomatic expressions is enough depending on the question.
5. Poor punctuation.
What to do: Make sure you end your sentence with a full stop and not a comma. Make sure that the pronoun ‘I’ is written in uppercase and not lowercase ‘i’ as is practised among some candidates.
(Adapted from SPM Series: English by Jugdeep Kaur Sunday STAR 3 October 2010)
Candidates do not have to worry about what to write as they are given help with content. The content is provided in the form of points and candidates need to rewrite the points in the form of sentences without distorting the meaning. Candidates can score FULL MARKS for content if they are able to use the information given in grammatically sound sentences, irrespective of the sentence type or length.
Guidelines:
1. Read the question carefully.
2. Use the 45 minutes allocated for this question wisely. Bear in mind, no matter how much you write, you can only score a maximum of 15 marks for content.
3. Include an introduction and a conclusion and make sure your paragraphs are well-organised.
4. Use ALL content points given. Cross out the points you have used to make sure no point is left out.
5. Use the points in the order in which they are given to avoid leaving out a point.
6. Avoid paraphrasing the points given. This may result in distortion of meaning.
7. Include points of your own ONLY if you are asked to.
8. You should elaborate on the points given. Your elaborations can be in the form of examples, facts and figures or any extra information.
9. Use a variety of sentence structures so that your essay is not dull and monotonous.
10. Use effective vocabulary such as using appropriate words and expressions to convey meaning.
11. Include suitable idiomatic expressions or quotations to enhance your writing.
12. Always read through what you have written.
13. Submit a neatly written piece of work.
Common mistakes:
1. Poor time management.
What to do: Do not spend more than the allocated 45 minutes. Remember that Continuous Writing carries more marks.
2. Lengthy essay.
What to do: Do not write too much. A response of 1 ½ - 2 pages is sufficient.
3. Usage of Informal language.
What to do: Do not use spoken language. Avoid using slang words (guys, dudes, brekkie), contractions (can’t, mustn’t etc) and informal language.
4. Too many idiomatic expressions.
Directed Writing is NOT similar to your Bahasa Melayu paper where using as many idiomatic expression as you can in your writing is a required practice.
What to do: One or two idiomatic expressions is enough depending on the question.
5. Poor punctuation.
What to do: Make sure you end your sentence with a full stop and not a comma. Make sure that the pronoun ‘I’ is written in uppercase and not lowercase ‘i’ as is practised among some candidates.
(Adapted from SPM Series: English by Jugdeep Kaur Sunday STAR 3 October 2010)
Sunday 8 January 2012
Some instances that show the character is a determined person
From the novel I have studied, Catch Us If You Can by Catherine Macphail,
there are some instances which show that Rory is a determined person and his
determination affects some people in his life.
Rory as a young boy demonstrates true grit and determination to look after his grandfather. Rory was determined to care for Granda alone in the absence of home helps and he did not hesitate to make sacrifices, for example, missing out on the school football team. Being determined, from the beginning, Rory made sure that his
grandfather was taken to the doctor for medical checkups and made certain that
Granda took his pills because his grandfather was having lapses
of memory which caused Granda to forget things at times. Rory had also made
sure that Granda had his meals on time which he bought from the baker every
day during his lunch time. His care and determination had caused his grandfather
to love, appreciate and adore him.
Rory is also very determined when he did not compromise his
grandfather’s welfare with anything else by taking him out of Rachnadar, an
infirmary which his grandfather hated to be placed. He ran away from an
orphanage in the Castle Street and had a great escape with his grandfather. He
was very determined to make their escape a success by planning it with his good
friend, Darren. Darren felt pity and felt encouraged by Rory’s determination, gave him the key to his mother’s caravan and let Rory and Granda stay in the caravan after they fled. Granda too was affected by Rory’s determination. He knew he had to be strong so that they could be together. Granda was very sickly but he endured the pain of his wheezing when they were escaping from the police, and the discomfort of the cold when they had to leave the warmth of someone’s home.
The Great Escape got very arduous and tough at times. The police were always after Rory and his grandfather. There was a wide TV coverage on both of them. However Rory and Granda were determined to pull through. They knew they would be together as long as they continued to run. Rory had also made friends with many people in his journey and those people could see his determination to always be together with his grandfather.Therefore, those kind hearted friends helped both of them in many ways. Sammy and Ruby helped them at their own risk and only reluctantly let them go when they knew the police were after them for helping Rory and Granda. Rab, the owner of the petrol station, also made it clear that Rory should seek out his estranged father in Liverpool so he lined up a group of people who could help Rory and his grandfather. As a result of his determination too, in the end, Rory could meet with his father and saved his grandfather from a tragic situation.
To sum up, Rory is the epitome of determination. Granda may annoy him with his irritating habits and forgetfulness but never once does Rory think that he is better off without his grandfather. Rory’s determination has affected many people surrounding
him in a good way especially his grandfather, his newfound friends and his own father who finally came to his rescue and took him and Granda into a new promising life.
(Adapted from Model Pecutan Akademik SPM JPN Kelantan)
there are some instances which show that Rory is a determined person and his
determination affects some people in his life.
Rory as a young boy demonstrates true grit and determination to look after his grandfather. Rory was determined to care for Granda alone in the absence of home helps and he did not hesitate to make sacrifices, for example, missing out on the school football team. Being determined, from the beginning, Rory made sure that his
grandfather was taken to the doctor for medical checkups and made certain that
Granda took his pills because his grandfather was having lapses
of memory which caused Granda to forget things at times. Rory had also made
sure that Granda had his meals on time which he bought from the baker every
day during his lunch time. His care and determination had caused his grandfather
to love, appreciate and adore him.
Rory is also very determined when he did not compromise his
grandfather’s welfare with anything else by taking him out of Rachnadar, an
infirmary which his grandfather hated to be placed. He ran away from an
orphanage in the Castle Street and had a great escape with his grandfather. He
was very determined to make their escape a success by planning it with his good
friend, Darren. Darren felt pity and felt encouraged by Rory’s determination, gave him the key to his mother’s caravan and let Rory and Granda stay in the caravan after they fled. Granda too was affected by Rory’s determination. He knew he had to be strong so that they could be together. Granda was very sickly but he endured the pain of his wheezing when they were escaping from the police, and the discomfort of the cold when they had to leave the warmth of someone’s home.
The Great Escape got very arduous and tough at times. The police were always after Rory and his grandfather. There was a wide TV coverage on both of them. However Rory and Granda were determined to pull through. They knew they would be together as long as they continued to run. Rory had also made friends with many people in his journey and those people could see his determination to always be together with his grandfather.Therefore, those kind hearted friends helped both of them in many ways. Sammy and Ruby helped them at their own risk and only reluctantly let them go when they knew the police were after them for helping Rory and Granda. Rab, the owner of the petrol station, also made it clear that Rory should seek out his estranged father in Liverpool so he lined up a group of people who could help Rory and his grandfather. As a result of his determination too, in the end, Rory could meet with his father and saved his grandfather from a tragic situation.
To sum up, Rory is the epitome of determination. Granda may annoy him with his irritating habits and forgetfulness but never once does Rory think that he is better off without his grandfather. Rory’s determination has affected many people surrounding
him in a good way especially his grandfather, his newfound friends and his own father who finally came to his rescue and took him and Granda into a new promising life.
(Adapted from Model Pecutan Akademik SPM JPN Kelantan)
Write about a character you sympathize with/admire.
Write about a character you sympathize
with/admire. Give reasons for your choice.
From the novel
.Catch Us If You Can. written by Catherine MacPhail, the
character I
sympathize with/admire is Rory. He is just a boy but deals with every problem
that arises with a maturity far beyond his age. There are many reasons why I
choose him.
The first
reason I choose Rory is because he was a
loving and responsible grandson. Ever since his grandfather had not been
well, Rory took care of almost everything. He
would make sure
that Granda took his medicine every day. He hid Granda’s pipe at night so that
he would not smoke. He would also buy pies from the baker for Granda and
himself during his school lunch break every day. To Rory, Granda was everything
and he loved his grandfather very much because after his mother died, Granda was
the only person who brought him up. It was not easy as Granda was losing his
memory.
Another reason
is because Rory was a brave boy and
acted like a savior
to his grandfather. First, when he knew that his
grandfather would not last long at
Rachnadar, the
resting home, he planned an escape for both of them. Rory made sure he had
everything Granda would need. The way he planned how to rescue Granda was
amazingly well thought out. He ran away from the children’s home in Castle
Street and saved his grandfather from Rachnadar. He left the emergency door at
Rachnadar open so that he could come in and get Granda out. This is also shown
in his choice of train stop at the pierhead to confuse anyone following them. This
shows that Rory was brave and cared about his grandfather very much.
In addition, Rory is also a high risk taker because
he ran away with an old
and sick
grandfather. Throughout their Great Escape, Rory was terrified. He saw how ill
and weak granda was. His plan almost cost him his grandfather’s life when at
one point, his grandfather collapsed and fainted while they were escaping from the
house of Rab’s friend, Norma. He received the news from Nicola, Norma’s daughter
that her mother had gone to the police to report their whereabout.
Therefore, Rory
and Granda ran away again. When they were at Rab’s place, he saw on television
that his father was in Liverpool, he planned to take his grandfather there with
an intention to get some money from his
long lost father in order to escape from the authorities.
Based on the
reasons and evidence from the novel, I really sympathize with/admire Rory. From
the beginning until the end of the story, he had to face so many problems. He
realised how alone he was. Yet he continued to do what it takes to make Granda
happy. However, in the end he managed to save both himself and his beloved
Granda. He was also united with his own father, Jeff and his family.
What made Rory
so admirable is his courage, love and compassion. It is unusual in one so
young. His love and devotion to Granda makes him an outstanding character who shows
filial piety and gratitude to his aging and ailing grandparent.
In my opinion,
..................................
(Adapted from Model Pecutan Akademik SPM JPN Kelantan)
Describe what happens at the end of the novel
Based on the novel that I have studied, Catch Us if You Can by Catherine
MacPhail, at the end of this novel, Rory had a great shock in his life when he
thought that his grandfather was dead before he at last met his biological father
and together with his grandfather, they both reconciled with Jeff McIntosh, Rory’s
father, his stepmother and his two sisters. Rory then had a happy time with his
new found family.
Based on the novel that I have studied, Catch Us if You Can by Catherine
MacPhail, at the end of this novel, Rory had a great shock in his life when he
thought that his grandfather was dead before he at last met his biological father
and together with his grandfather, they both reconciled with Jeff McIntosh, Rory’s
father, his stepmother and his two sisters. Rory then had a happy time with his
new found family.
Rory spent the next few days with his new found family while at times
visiting his grandfather who was recovering at the hospital. His father’s wife,
Karen was kind as she came and asked Rory to go and stay with them while
Granda was hospitalised. He also found out that he got two little sisters, Rhonda 5,
and Ava, 3. Granda loved the granddaughters soon as he saw them even though
he was still mad at his son.
Rory’s dad was an apologetic man. He asked for forgiveness from Rory
and Granda every now and then. He was sorry about leaving his son away with
his father because he could not accept the insults from his father. He asked Rory
to give him a chance to be a good father and a good son to his ailing father.
They were given a flat and help came around every day which made him
wonder why not before? But he realized that he had found what he had been looking
for.
In conclusion, I find that the ending of the novel is a joyful one. This is
because Rory had found what he had been looking for, a family of his own and a
comfortable life for his grandfather. It is very heart-warming to find that Rory could
forgive everyone who had caused him pain and fear of losing hope. I am also
happy to cherish the friendships that Rory had built with the people he met along
his journey: Ruby, Sammy and Tyrone; Norma, Nicola, Annie, Rab, not forgetting
his ever good buddy, Darren. Even the lovebirds, Rab and Annie, were getting married soon. He was also matured enough to understand and forgive Norma for reporting him and Granda to the police. He also realised how lucky he was compared to Tess.
(Adapted from Model Pecutan Akademik SPM JPN Kelantan)
MacPhail, at the end of this novel, Rory had a great shock in his life when he
thought that his grandfather was dead before he at last met his biological father
and together with his grandfather, they both reconciled with Jeff McIntosh, Rory’s
father, his stepmother and his two sisters. Rory then had a happy time with his
new found family.
Based on the novel that I have studied, Catch Us if You Can by Catherine
MacPhail, at the end of this novel, Rory had a great shock in his life when he
thought that his grandfather was dead before he at last met his biological father
and together with his grandfather, they both reconciled with Jeff McIntosh, Rory’s
father, his stepmother and his two sisters. Rory then had a happy time with his
new found family.
Rory spent the next few days with his new found family while at times
visiting his grandfather who was recovering at the hospital. His father’s wife,
Karen was kind as she came and asked Rory to go and stay with them while
Granda was hospitalised. He also found out that he got two little sisters, Rhonda 5,
and Ava, 3. Granda loved the granddaughters soon as he saw them even though
he was still mad at his son.
Rory’s dad was an apologetic man. He asked for forgiveness from Rory
and Granda every now and then. He was sorry about leaving his son away with
his father because he could not accept the insults from his father. He asked Rory
to give him a chance to be a good father and a good son to his ailing father.
They were given a flat and help came around every day which made him
wonder why not before? But he realized that he had found what he had been looking
for.
In conclusion, I find that the ending of the novel is a joyful one. This is
because Rory had found what he had been looking for, a family of his own and a
comfortable life for his grandfather. It is very heart-warming to find that Rory could
forgive everyone who had caused him pain and fear of losing hope. I am also
happy to cherish the friendships that Rory had built with the people he met along
his journey: Ruby, Sammy and Tyrone; Norma, Nicola, Annie, Rab, not forgetting
his ever good buddy, Darren. Even the lovebirds, Rab and Annie, were getting married soon. He was also matured enough to understand and forgive Norma for reporting him and Granda to the police. He also realised how lucky he was compared to Tess.
(Adapted from Model Pecutan Akademik SPM JPN Kelantan)
Choose an event in the novel you have studied which you find to be the most memorable.
The novel I have studied is Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhail
and I find the most memorable event is when Rory and his Granda had to go
away from Darren’s mother’s caravan after Darren sent him a message telling
him that the authority had known where Rory and his Granda were.
It is a memorable event because from there Rory and Granda started to
have more interesting adventures. They were miserable for being separated from each other and placed in different homes. Here at the caravan site, they were happy at last. The caravan was suitable because it was located in a remote area and it was a luxury as it was well-stocked. Rory was pleasantly surprised to have a glimpse of his old Granda who is ‘capable, in charge and looking after him’. There were funny episodes too. For instance, Rory had to urge his grandfather to move faster and in doing so, he could see it was very funny because Granda was trying hard not to show his panic. Granda was also forgetting his shoes which Rory had to shove the shoes to his feet while wrapping his coat and scarf around him and also buttoning his jacket as well. Rory had also not forgotten his grandfather’s things including the food and warm clothes.
The event is also memorable because Rory and Granda were always alert
for the authority not to get them. He was careful not to let his grandfather lose
the way by taking and pulling his grandfather’s hand at him. He also flung his
hand phone into the bushes because it would be useless to him since the phone
had run out of battery and there was no way for him to charge it.
It is a memorable event because from there Rory and Granda met more
kindhearted people who jumped in to give them a helping hand. For instance, the
man, Sammy and his son, Tyrone. Rory and Granda met them earlier at the loch
while they were fishing the other day and Granda had called them ‘tinkers’. The ‘tinkers’ helped them by giving them a ride in their caravan to get away from the camp site which was full of police and their searchparty. Sammy’s wife, Ruby gave Rory and Granda food and drinks in the journey. Rory and Granda learnt a valuable lesson from the travellers that it is unwise to judge and label people. Not everyone is the same. Ruby and Sammy demonstrate that there are people who are willing to help without expecting any returns. This also tells us that not all strangers that we meet are bad people or unkind. We should learn to respect people in order for people to respect us.
In conclusion, the most memorable event from this novel is the part when
Rory and Granda got away from the caravan because this has caused them to
face more interesting adventures and encountered with kind-hearted
people like Sammy, Ruby and Tyrone.
(Adapted from Model Pecutan Akademik SPM JPN Kelantan)
and I find the most memorable event is when Rory and his Granda had to go
away from Darren’s mother’s caravan after Darren sent him a message telling
him that the authority had known where Rory and his Granda were.
It is a memorable event because from there Rory and Granda started to
have more interesting adventures. They were miserable for being separated from each other and placed in different homes. Here at the caravan site, they were happy at last. The caravan was suitable because it was located in a remote area and it was a luxury as it was well-stocked. Rory was pleasantly surprised to have a glimpse of his old Granda who is ‘capable, in charge and looking after him’. There were funny episodes too. For instance, Rory had to urge his grandfather to move faster and in doing so, he could see it was very funny because Granda was trying hard not to show his panic. Granda was also forgetting his shoes which Rory had to shove the shoes to his feet while wrapping his coat and scarf around him and also buttoning his jacket as well. Rory had also not forgotten his grandfather’s things including the food and warm clothes.
The event is also memorable because Rory and Granda were always alert
for the authority not to get them. He was careful not to let his grandfather lose
the way by taking and pulling his grandfather’s hand at him. He also flung his
hand phone into the bushes because it would be useless to him since the phone
had run out of battery and there was no way for him to charge it.
It is a memorable event because from there Rory and Granda met more
kindhearted people who jumped in to give them a helping hand. For instance, the
man, Sammy and his son, Tyrone. Rory and Granda met them earlier at the loch
while they were fishing the other day and Granda had called them ‘tinkers’. The ‘tinkers’ helped them by giving them a ride in their caravan to get away from the camp site which was full of police and their searchparty. Sammy’s wife, Ruby gave Rory and Granda food and drinks in the journey. Rory and Granda learnt a valuable lesson from the travellers that it is unwise to judge and label people. Not everyone is the same. Ruby and Sammy demonstrate that there are people who are willing to help without expecting any returns. This also tells us that not all strangers that we meet are bad people or unkind. We should learn to respect people in order for people to respect us.
In conclusion, the most memorable event from this novel is the part when
Rory and Granda got away from the caravan because this has caused them to
face more interesting adventures and encountered with kind-hearted
people like Sammy, Ruby and Tyrone.
(Adapted from Model Pecutan Akademik SPM JPN Kelantan)
When I Am 30
Quietly I sit on the backseat of the magenta convertible, as it careens down the highway. Fastening the seatbelt after a while, but careful not to touch the leather seat, my mind wanders off as always. “Fingerprints show clearly on white, Son.”
Son, is what he calls me, in spite that he is my uncle – my maternal uncle. He is an architect – well, he used to. But now he is an entrepreneur – a great one. I always dream to be like him. At least when I am 30. 30… what am I then?
His sleek mobile phone rings once more. Looking at my uncle, listening to him talking in big words I can barely understand.
‘Liquidation’, ‘Investment’, ‘Finance’. I get scared sometimes. Will I be able to cope with that? Such restlessness of a modern life. Will I be like that when I am 30? But realising on what I am in right now – a magenta convertible – I keep on dreaming.
I want to be an entrepreneur – a successful one- just like my uncle. Sitting on a big chair, in a spacious air-conditioned office; living in luxury; treated with respect. I dream of that.
“Wealth does not secure happiness, child.” My mom once said.
“What! 10 percent decrease? How can this be?” Jolted back to reality, I can see that my uncle is still on his phone. He sounds furious, with his other hand gripping the steering tightly. Well, maybe my mom is right. My uncle hardly seems happy. At the age of 32, he is still alone. Too busy for a family I think.
Back to my dream. Maybe I will just be a doctor. “Doctor is fine, child. They help people like Mom.” “Yes, I would certainly become a doctor. Then my mom will never be sick again.
“Please Mom, don’t say that. I’ll treat you Mom. I’ll … I’ll be a doctor! Just hold on a little longer.”
Yes, be a doctor and saves lives – especially Mom’s – would be the best option. In fact, I am studying in the science stream. And Biology seems fun! But then, will I be able to own a convertible? A huge office? To live in luxury?
“I can’t stand this anymore. You’re fired! I’ll find another financial consultant. Better than you. You… “Without any warning the sleek phone flies towards my forehead. I can just barely dodge it.
“Sorry, son. I’m a bit stressed. Let me take you to Secret Recipe. Have all the cakes you want!”
“ It’s okay, Uncle. Just take me home. Mom surely would be worrying about me by now. Maybe next time?”
Looking at the tension on my uncle’s face I surely do not want to be like that. Enjoying life is what I count most.
As the ride becomes calm again, I continue my daydreaming. Yes, now I am sure. I will be a doctor. Regardless of not having a chance to own that convertible, I would rather choose happiness. Saving people’s lives gives you a great feeling.
Doctor. Dr Fatihi Zainal. It sounds great. Well, I will own a house. I will have a family – wife and kids. I will have Mom treated. I will own a car – even if it is not a convertible. And that is when I am 30. Well, 13 years to come.
The convertible halts in front of my house. “Here we are. Till next time, Son” My uncle smiles and winks playfully. “Thanks, Uncle”, I wink back.
And Mom, I am a doctor. Dr Fatihi.
Son, is what he calls me, in spite that he is my uncle – my maternal uncle. He is an architect – well, he used to. But now he is an entrepreneur – a great one. I always dream to be like him. At least when I am 30. 30… what am I then?
His sleek mobile phone rings once more. Looking at my uncle, listening to him talking in big words I can barely understand.
‘Liquidation’, ‘Investment’, ‘Finance’. I get scared sometimes. Will I be able to cope with that? Such restlessness of a modern life. Will I be like that when I am 30? But realising on what I am in right now – a magenta convertible – I keep on dreaming.
I want to be an entrepreneur – a successful one- just like my uncle. Sitting on a big chair, in a spacious air-conditioned office; living in luxury; treated with respect. I dream of that.
“Wealth does not secure happiness, child.” My mom once said.
“What! 10 percent decrease? How can this be?” Jolted back to reality, I can see that my uncle is still on his phone. He sounds furious, with his other hand gripping the steering tightly. Well, maybe my mom is right. My uncle hardly seems happy. At the age of 32, he is still alone. Too busy for a family I think.
Back to my dream. Maybe I will just be a doctor. “Doctor is fine, child. They help people like Mom.” “Yes, I would certainly become a doctor. Then my mom will never be sick again.
“Please Mom, don’t say that. I’ll treat you Mom. I’ll … I’ll be a doctor! Just hold on a little longer.”
Yes, be a doctor and saves lives – especially Mom’s – would be the best option. In fact, I am studying in the science stream. And Biology seems fun! But then, will I be able to own a convertible? A huge office? To live in luxury?
“I can’t stand this anymore. You’re fired! I’ll find another financial consultant. Better than you. You… “Without any warning the sleek phone flies towards my forehead. I can just barely dodge it.
“Sorry, son. I’m a bit stressed. Let me take you to Secret Recipe. Have all the cakes you want!”
“ It’s okay, Uncle. Just take me home. Mom surely would be worrying about me by now. Maybe next time?”
Looking at the tension on my uncle’s face I surely do not want to be like that. Enjoying life is what I count most.
As the ride becomes calm again, I continue my daydreaming. Yes, now I am sure. I will be a doctor. Regardless of not having a chance to own that convertible, I would rather choose happiness. Saving people’s lives gives you a great feeling.
Doctor. Dr Fatihi Zainal. It sounds great. Well, I will own a house. I will have a family – wife and kids. I will have Mom treated. I will own a car – even if it is not a convertible. And that is when I am 30. Well, 13 years to come.
The convertible halts in front of my house. “Here we are. Till next time, Son” My uncle smiles and winks playfully. “Thanks, Uncle”, I wink back.
And Mom, I am a doctor. Dr Fatihi.
An Unforgettable Experience II
I wish I could forget that scary experience that has been haunting me since two years ago.
That night my best friend ,Joshua or Josh and I went to the prom night. We enjoyed the party and we did not realise that time was running late. We intended to stay the night at one of our classmate’s house but Josh had an important errand to do the next day. So we made the decision to drive back.
The clock showed that it was already 2 am. I asked Josh to come home with me as it was very late and I did not want to drive because I was feeling sleepy and I might fall asleep at the wheel. However Josh did not want to go back just as yet as he was having so much fun at the party.
At 3am finally Josh relented and decided to go home. One of our classmates told us to be careful because the haunted bridge was about half kilometre away. But Josh just smirked and said, “Why do I care? Do you think that I’m a coward? I will say hello to the ghosts if I see them!” After saying that, he just laughed.
Joshua drove and I sat beside him. He tried to crack some jokes but I ignored him because I was still thinking about what he said before we drove home. I was wondering what would happen if the ghosts heard what he said. I closed my eyes quickly and let him talk to himself.
I was shocked when Josh braked the car suddenly. He said, “We would see for ourselves if it is really haunted.” Alarm rising in me, I asked him, “What do you mean haunted?” Then suddenly I realised that we were on THE bridge. I said, “Are you crazy? I do not want to get into trouble!” I could not stand his stupid behaviour. I yelled at him, “If you want to make a fool of yourself, you’d better not get me involved. Get me home now!” He just ignored me. His silence made me panicky. I quickly jumped out from the car. He was stunned but he rolled down the window. “Did you hear something?” he whispered.
I was getting really scared. He got out from the car and walked to the lamp post. I was getting really spooked at that moment and I shouted, “Josh! What is behind you?” He then turned to look at something behind his back and fainted there and then. A few seconds later, he stood up but to my horror, he had changed. His face had changed. Wider mouth with sharp fangs, and a contorted face, I could hardly recognise my best friend. My legs couldn’t support my trembling body anymore so I sat on the grass. Joshua stared long and hard at me and he came stumbling towards me. He tried to choke me with his strong hands. But I quickly ran and jumped into the driver’s seat of the car. Luckily the key was still in the ignition. I drove as fast as I could.
With a heavy heart I had to leave ‘Josh’ behind and when I finally reached home, I couldn’t speak to anyone. I was down with fever for about three weeks. After my mother brought a ‘bomoh’ or shaman to our house, I started to feel better.
I then told my family what had happened that night. My mother called Joshua’s home but no one answered. The following week, I started to feel a whole lot better. I went to Joshua’s house but nobody was there. While I was on the way back to my house, I suddenly thought about the haunted bridge. I decided to go there and look for Joshua.
I reached there at about 6pm. The day was getting darker. I walked to the lamppost near the bridge and saw a body was lying among the rocks under the bridge. I ran back to my car and called the police. After half an hour, the police came and the dead, decomposing body was sent to the morgue. I went straight home after that but I was still thinking about the dead person. I could not recognise his face but I hoped he was not Joshua.
Two days later, two policemen came knocking on my door. They said the dead person was my friend, Joshua. I was shocked and felt very terrible because I had left him at the haunted bridge. It was a scary experience that I would never forget.
That night my best friend ,Joshua or Josh and I went to the prom night. We enjoyed the party and we did not realise that time was running late. We intended to stay the night at one of our classmate’s house but Josh had an important errand to do the next day. So we made the decision to drive back.
The clock showed that it was already 2 am. I asked Josh to come home with me as it was very late and I did not want to drive because I was feeling sleepy and I might fall asleep at the wheel. However Josh did not want to go back just as yet as he was having so much fun at the party.
At 3am finally Josh relented and decided to go home. One of our classmates told us to be careful because the haunted bridge was about half kilometre away. But Josh just smirked and said, “Why do I care? Do you think that I’m a coward? I will say hello to the ghosts if I see them!” After saying that, he just laughed.
Joshua drove and I sat beside him. He tried to crack some jokes but I ignored him because I was still thinking about what he said before we drove home. I was wondering what would happen if the ghosts heard what he said. I closed my eyes quickly and let him talk to himself.
I was shocked when Josh braked the car suddenly. He said, “We would see for ourselves if it is really haunted.” Alarm rising in me, I asked him, “What do you mean haunted?” Then suddenly I realised that we were on THE bridge. I said, “Are you crazy? I do not want to get into trouble!” I could not stand his stupid behaviour. I yelled at him, “If you want to make a fool of yourself, you’d better not get me involved. Get me home now!” He just ignored me. His silence made me panicky. I quickly jumped out from the car. He was stunned but he rolled down the window. “Did you hear something?” he whispered.
I was getting really scared. He got out from the car and walked to the lamp post. I was getting really spooked at that moment and I shouted, “Josh! What is behind you?” He then turned to look at something behind his back and fainted there and then. A few seconds later, he stood up but to my horror, he had changed. His face had changed. Wider mouth with sharp fangs, and a contorted face, I could hardly recognise my best friend. My legs couldn’t support my trembling body anymore so I sat on the grass. Joshua stared long and hard at me and he came stumbling towards me. He tried to choke me with his strong hands. But I quickly ran and jumped into the driver’s seat of the car. Luckily the key was still in the ignition. I drove as fast as I could.
With a heavy heart I had to leave ‘Josh’ behind and when I finally reached home, I couldn’t speak to anyone. I was down with fever for about three weeks. After my mother brought a ‘bomoh’ or shaman to our house, I started to feel better.
I then told my family what had happened that night. My mother called Joshua’s home but no one answered. The following week, I started to feel a whole lot better. I went to Joshua’s house but nobody was there. While I was on the way back to my house, I suddenly thought about the haunted bridge. I decided to go there and look for Joshua.
I reached there at about 6pm. The day was getting darker. I walked to the lamppost near the bridge and saw a body was lying among the rocks under the bridge. I ran back to my car and called the police. After half an hour, the police came and the dead, decomposing body was sent to the morgue. I went straight home after that but I was still thinking about the dead person. I could not recognise his face but I hoped he was not Joshua.
Two days later, two policemen came knocking on my door. They said the dead person was my friend, Joshua. I was shocked and felt very terrible because I had left him at the haunted bridge. It was a scary experience that I would never forget.
An Unforgettable Experience
I was about seven years old when a very frightening incident happened to me. In fact, thinking about it now still gives me a creepy feeling. When the incident happened I was helping my dad on his farm during my school holiday as every year, my dad would plant tomatoes, corn, beans and usually a few other crops on his farm.
As my father’s farm was far away from the one and only village primary school, it had been decided that I was to stay at the school dormitory. So during that school holiday, I was excited to go home and spend my holiday helping my father on his farm. We were using a rotary tiller with the blades mounted in front to break the ground. I had always enjoyed watching my father operating the tiller. Sometimes, he would let me hold it for a few minutes. The familiar noise sounded like music to me.
That day was like any other day with me following close to my father’s heels. My father started the noisy old tiller and began ploughing. I was watching to see how many earthworms I could catch for our coming fishing trip. I got bored for I could not find any, so I chased after my father through the field. He finally stopped and asked me if I wanted to plough. He held on to the old tiller for a moment and then, he let me hold it.
It was fun holding the old tiller for a few minutes. I felt like an important person ruling the kingdom of his farm and everything on it. My dad gestured to me that he would take over when he saw that I was tired. While handing it back to him, I saw a black stick moving across the ground. It was a long, black snake. And it was gliding towards my foot!
I screamed, “Snake!” For a minute or two, I stood there, rooted to the ground, my mouth in my heart. It was just as if I had been charmed by that black snake, making me paralysed.
I felt my father grab my hand. I woke up from my ‘trance’ and we both ran without looking back, on and on until we came to the road. By then, we were breathless and dizzy. Luckily, neither of us was bitten but I would never forget the sight of the snake slithering quietly towards me.
That incident had left me with a permanent fear of anything that looks like a black stick. In my imagination, the stick would move and even now, thinking about it gives me cold sweat. The frightful incident still haunts me.
As my father’s farm was far away from the one and only village primary school, it had been decided that I was to stay at the school dormitory. So during that school holiday, I was excited to go home and spend my holiday helping my father on his farm. We were using a rotary tiller with the blades mounted in front to break the ground. I had always enjoyed watching my father operating the tiller. Sometimes, he would let me hold it for a few minutes. The familiar noise sounded like music to me.
That day was like any other day with me following close to my father’s heels. My father started the noisy old tiller and began ploughing. I was watching to see how many earthworms I could catch for our coming fishing trip. I got bored for I could not find any, so I chased after my father through the field. He finally stopped and asked me if I wanted to plough. He held on to the old tiller for a moment and then, he let me hold it.
It was fun holding the old tiller for a few minutes. I felt like an important person ruling the kingdom of his farm and everything on it. My dad gestured to me that he would take over when he saw that I was tired. While handing it back to him, I saw a black stick moving across the ground. It was a long, black snake. And it was gliding towards my foot!
I screamed, “Snake!” For a minute or two, I stood there, rooted to the ground, my mouth in my heart. It was just as if I had been charmed by that black snake, making me paralysed.
I felt my father grab my hand. I woke up from my ‘trance’ and we both ran without looking back, on and on until we came to the road. By then, we were breathless and dizzy. Luckily, neither of us was bitten but I would never forget the sight of the snake slithering quietly towards me.
That incident had left me with a permanent fear of anything that looks like a black stick. In my imagination, the stick would move and even now, thinking about it gives me cold sweat. The frightful incident still haunts me.
... I shall never forget this day for the rest of my life
I could not tear my eyes away from the empty chair near the teacher’s desk. It was difficult to concentrate on the task in front of me although it was given by my most fierce teacher, Pn Rosnah and I would incur her wrath if I didn’t complete it. So much had happened since yesterday and my mind was still reeling from it.
Twenty-four hours ago Salim was sitting in that seat right in front of the teacher’s desk, struggling with the Mathematics exam. He was so relieved when the finals were over. We went out to the nearby Kopi tiam to celebrate our ‘freedom’. He ordered a plate of fried rice and his favourite drink, iced Milo and I noticed that he looked a little bit under the weather. When I mentioned it to him, he brushed it aside as exam fever. Little did I know that it would be the last time I saw him alive.
Later that night I received a call from his mother. She told me that Salim had been admitted to the hospital that evening. Then she paused and said quietly. “Salim has left us. He fell in the bathroom and never regained consciousness” I was utterly shocked.
Now, sitting at my desk and doing the task absent-mindedly, my eyes swept around the room. My friends were concentrating on their tasks . All of them had serious expressions on their faces and some of them looked at me once in a while. They knew Salim and I were very close. I glanced at the clock against the wall and realised that it was late. We would be going to the funeral service after the school was over. How was i going to say goodbye to my friend? He was always there for me through thick and thin. Till now, I could hear his jokes, his clowning with us after the exam.
The school bell rang and we trooped into our class teacher’s van. I was sad during the journey. I suddenly remembered the last time we were together in the van during our class trip to Kuantan. He made us laugh with his jokes and antics.
At the funeral, his family looked calm but their faces were full of sorrows. Then it was the time when his body was lowered into the grave. I looked at his mother and wanted to say a few words of comfort but I choked with sadness His mother looked at me and smiled understandingly. I said my prayers and deep in my heart I knew that I shall never forget this day for the rest of my life.
Twenty-four hours ago Salim was sitting in that seat right in front of the teacher’s desk, struggling with the Mathematics exam. He was so relieved when the finals were over. We went out to the nearby Kopi tiam to celebrate our ‘freedom’. He ordered a plate of fried rice and his favourite drink, iced Milo and I noticed that he looked a little bit under the weather. When I mentioned it to him, he brushed it aside as exam fever. Little did I know that it would be the last time I saw him alive.
Later that night I received a call from his mother. She told me that Salim had been admitted to the hospital that evening. Then she paused and said quietly. “Salim has left us. He fell in the bathroom and never regained consciousness” I was utterly shocked.
Now, sitting at my desk and doing the task absent-mindedly, my eyes swept around the room. My friends were concentrating on their tasks . All of them had serious expressions on their faces and some of them looked at me once in a while. They knew Salim and I were very close. I glanced at the clock against the wall and realised that it was late. We would be going to the funeral service after the school was over. How was i going to say goodbye to my friend? He was always there for me through thick and thin. Till now, I could hear his jokes, his clowning with us after the exam.
The school bell rang and we trooped into our class teacher’s van. I was sad during the journey. I suddenly remembered the last time we were together in the van during our class trip to Kuantan. He made us laugh with his jokes and antics.
At the funeral, his family looked calm but their faces were full of sorrows. Then it was the time when his body was lowered into the grave. I looked at his mother and wanted to say a few words of comfort but I choked with sadness His mother looked at me and smiled understandingly. I said my prayers and deep in my heart I knew that I shall never forget this day for the rest of my life.
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