Lost

Big Bee wrote an English composition in class, and her essay was chosen as one of 6 to be displayed on the notice board in her class. Big Bee was highly encouraged by this, although she tried not to show it. 

We were elated of course, and this brought back memories from days of yore when my secondary school's English teacher would read out my essays to the class, making me squirm in embarrassment. However, that was highly significant in inspiring me to develop a deep love for writing in life. I hope Big Bee would find much joy in literary pursuits as well, and I applaud her class teacher for reinforcing such encouraging measures to nurture writing skills amongst her students. 

In new age times like these, where short condensed messages in the form of Twitter and Facebook are the norm, I hope my Bees could sidetrack this vile and slow murder of the language arts, and instead, enjoy the sheer pleasure of appreciating the rapturous texture and intensity of the language arts - in any languages. 

Here's her simple little essay, titled "Lost". Enjoy! 

Chinese New Year was coming soon! Tom and his father went to Chinatown to buy some festive goodies. There were big, red lanterns and stalls selling pineapple tarts, “bak kwa” and Chinese New Year decorations. It was very crowded. Little Tom held onto his father’s hand tightly. He did not want to be lost.

There were Chinese New Year songs playing loudly in the background. After a while, Tom and his father decided to buy “bak kwa”. There was a very long queue. Tom was getting impatient. Boom! Tom heard some beating of drums. Tom went to see what had happened. There was a lion dance! Tom watched the lion dance happily for fifteen minutes. When the lion dance had ended, Tom skipped back to the cashier to look for his father. To his horror, his father was not there!

Tom walked all about Chinatown alone. Tears were welling up in his eyes. He cried loudly. Some passers-by asked him what had happened. Between sobs, frightened Tom told the passers-by that he was lost.

The passers-by said they were sorry for him and would help him find his father. Soon, Tom heard a familiar voice. He turned around and to his relief, saw his father. Tom grinned from ear to ear and hugged his father. Tom learnt his lesson never to walk off alone again.