Sunday, April 8, 2007

Road Safety (?)

Inspired by Jasse’s post, I once had a “Touched by An Angel” moment too. Really, how often do we play good Samaritans; doing random acts of kindness in society these days? Now I don’t mean to sound like a tree-hugging hippie here but that’s the sad fact. People are getting too full of themselves these days I think. Oh by the way, I’m wearing my brand new Seed today and my anak ayams say I look faaaabulous. Mak suker!

Back to the topic, I for one am all out for this. But realistically speaking, one doesn’t get such a chance too often. I mean, how often you see needy people in public seeking help kan? But if the situation arises, I will definitely lend a helping hand. Or at least try. Lau niang very kind one you know….you try ask me help you cross the road lah, I sure help one. If you leng cai, I’ll hold you even tighter…lolz!

I remember the last time I was a Good Samaritan. Back then, I was in primary….4. See, my mom’s office is just opposite my school. So everyday, dad would be waiting in her office, I’d cross the road, walk to her office and dad would drive me home. Problem is, my mom’s office and my school is located smack in the middle of town; so that stretch of road is perpetually busy with speeding cars; thus making it a little hard to cross.

So one fine day, I was trying to cross that busy road as usual. Then suddenly this old aunty came by. She was holding an umbrella with lots of plastic bags on the other hand. She said in Mandarin, claiming that she can’t see properly and asked if I could help her cross the street. Naturally I agreed. I actually believed that I was so going to get an A for Moral after that. In the end…I got a C. Stupid teacher…

Anyway, I took a step further by offering to help carry her plastic bags as well. Man was I the most helpful person in the world! I even held her arms gently so I can escort her across the road safely. It was all so perfect. So now the hardest part….crossing the busy road itself.

I looked right.

I looked left.

Looked right again.

So many cars…I couldn’t cross. I stood there for 5 whole minutes holding the aunty’s hand.

I looked right.

Looked left.
.
.
.
.
.
Right again.

10 minutes passed and I’m still on the same side of the street. There were so many cars and I dare not cross at all. Eventually, the aunty got tired of waiting. She folded her umbrella and stretched it out. All the cars stopped and SHE walked me across the street. Instead.

SO MALU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At the other side of the road, I returned all her bags, gave her a blank smile and said bye bye. I felt rather foolish for not being able to help her. But at least I know I did try. So it wasn’t too bad lah.

But oh no….the story isn’t over yet. By some stroke of fate, I met the same aunty on the road again the very next day. There she was holding the umbrella with a hanky folded under her ketiak (armpit). Oooh……I was so determined to make it up this time.

At the perfect moment, where there’s the least car in that split second, I quickly held the aunty’s arms and walked as quickly I as could across the road. And there I was!!!!! Safe and sound across the street! I felt so proud!! I was smiling triumphantly at the aunty and I said “welcome welcome…no need to thank me…its ok, I like to help people…”

What you think happen after that???

The aunty gave me an exasperated look…and she went “Haiyah ah boy….aunty just cross the road you bring me back here for what???!!”

Wah I kena lagi malu that time. It was so funny yet so embarrassing. I’m always so confident…since young even. I apologized profusely to the aunty and offer to help her cross the road again. Her statement? “No need no need….i can cross by myself ah boy…you go home 1st…”

And she raised her umbrella again…..

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

See? This is what I like most about you and your blog. I can't stop laughing reading this. It can be used as a script for a comedy. Hahaha!!! And the sequence you wrote is good. The timing, adding the dialogue in between and good elaboration on the expression of the characters.

EarlGreyTea said...

there's just something innocently sweet about this. :)

Fable Frog said...

wah~~~ so kawaii ne~~ my housemate thought i am crazy, laughing at the screen for so long...:D

Life Cafez said...

Lolz... Thanks for this post Cikgu! You made my night! :P

ikanbilis said...

ahaha.. lawak =P

Corgant said...

buat baik tak semestinya dibalas.. lol

Unknown said...

hehehe.....yes, yes bibik very helpful one. ;)

savante said...

Ah the poor granny!

Evan Owens said...

That was hilarious. Thanks for providing comic relief. :)

Unknown said...

honey, just be glad you didn't get lost while crossing the road. Coz with you, it's very possible XD

Anonymous said...

So that was when Walking with Confidence was born. YA--KIN! :P

Jason said...

Well my dear boy. The first thing you need to do before helping someone is always remember these two things:

1) What type of help they want? Do they need it?

2) Can you offer that help? If not, don't waste their time and don't waste yours. Get someone more qualified to help them.

Its like saying you want to help someone when he/she is drowning but you're not trained in the lifeguard/swimming. Why jump in and die together? Get some other qualified help. Remember, you as a teacher should tell your students that. Its not about whether you stand up to give that person your seat, but rather whether that person really wants that seat or not.

Lau Niang said...

calvin: ni mak fofesional skrip writer tau! Last time my lecturer also minat my writing. Ha ha ha!

EGT: ya....that time STILL innocent lah... ;p

fable frog: you memang crazy one....wear bra also you dare, what some more laughing at pc....lolz!

life cafez: anytime buddy!

ikan bilis: now lawak...tapi masa tu kan....malu tahap cipan tau!

brian: Hmmmmm....ni nak kena ramas from me also nih....lolz!

lyana: Yesh....mak tersangat the helpful tau!

savante: Hey....i was just trying to help! Its not like i killed her or something...

evan: anytime pal! Good luck on your job hunt too!

jules: Whooooo!!! Mullllutt!!! You wait.....kang nanti you balik that time mak ramas dulu then only i welcome back.

catty: It was born there...its ALWAYS been there....lolz!

jase: Aiyah.....that time i only how old? 10? Where i know how to think like that wor....moral teacher say must help people cross road mah...so i help lor.....mana tau so difficult to cross one....hik!