After a gruelling 7-workday week, we have a brief break, which lasts 7.30 pm Saturday to 7.30 am Sunday. Though it is so short that we cannot have a proper rest, it’s better than nothing. I can take the time to get a sound sleep at least.

 

One Sunday morning I got up at 7. After a quick wash and brush I headed out for school. To my surprise it was raining outside. Without an umbrella, I braved the elements and went as fast as I could. As I was crossing the road, an elderly lady in front of me fell. I had never seen such a scene before. Driven by sympathy, I sped up and ran over to the granny.

 

Lying there on her stomach, the lady struggled to pull herself up but failed. I grabbed her arm and helped her up gently. In her hands were two big grocery bags, which contained various vegetables and fruits. They were so hefty that even I, a teenager, could not carry them for long. With the load plus the slippery road, no wonder the lady had fallen. The fronts of her jacket and trousers were a total mess, mud and dirt all over. So were the two bags. I used my tissues to wipe the dirt off her palms and face. Fortunately, she did not seem to be hurt.

 

“Granny, do be careful next time. It’s slippery on the road,” I said to her. She waved a long thank-you to me when we parted. I was nearly late for class that morning.

 

Afterwards when I shared the experience with my deskmate in the classroom, he reacted by teasing, “Will your mother give you a bigger allowance for that?”

 

When I was helping the lady on the road, reward had been the last thing on my mind. Whatever comments I got from others, I was brimming with pride and bliss on the way to school that morning. Helping others in itself is such an uplifting thing.