Friday, September 23, 2011
Well it is the truth my three year old durian fruited.This is not the only tree bearing fruits there were many even Thai clones like "Mom Ton" or "golden pillow." And very huge fruits too.In picture was the "Perak Champion"..Big,freshy,and sometimes almost seedless.Can be better than D 24.It was three years old when it first fruited. Yeah,I wander what has happened to them since then?Gone to shit I presumed.Of course without me they will surely withered off for good.All my good work went to waste,what a pity?.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Chapter 20 Our Grandmother Finally Left Us
During the first term holiday we were also whisked away to Kuala Lumpur to be with our grandmother who was longing to see us.As usual we had quite nice holiday of about two weks,then again back to school.
Our grandmother was quite alright.Within the next few months she was taken ill.We were rushed down to Kuala Lumpur to see.In fact this time the whole family went down.
On arrival we were taken to the General Hospital where our dear grandmother was being treated.Everything were not so fine as our grandmother was diagnosed as having cancer of the throat.That surely was bad news to us.
We saw her and she was very pleased to see us,smiling a little bit but she could not consume any food.That worried us but there was nothing we could do us accept looking on.Our Auntie seem very worried.Having seen her we rushed back home to Teluk Anson.
Only to return a week or so later as our grandmother was dying.It was very sad as we did not see her face before she passed away.Funeral was arranged at my Auntie's house which should not have been the case.What can we do for we do not had the means to perform those last rituals.
Before I left with our parents for Kuala Lumpur I wrote a leave letter to my teacher giving my reason for taking the emergency leave.I wrote it in good faith but sad to write this.I was ridiculed at, when I return to school after the funeral.
It was read out by the teacher in front of the class Well Nothing wrong in pointing out my English mistakes but some class mates took it as a joke.They created a big fuss out of it..
All her friends and relatives in Kuala Lumpur turned up for the occasion helping around.The coffin was sent down to Teluk Anson where she was buried at the 9th.mile Cemetery Changkat Jong Road.The whole funeral were properly arranged by our Auntie...
Though our grand mother had left us for so long, one thing very uncanny always happened to our younger brother whenever we went to pay our respects to her every Cheng Beng.She apparently was always playing "hide and seek" with him.
Everytime we sent him in front of us the grandmother's grave with the cleaners.,He can never find her grave with ease.He always had to take sometime to locate it.There were many incidences similar like that - even he was standing directly in front of her grave he still cannot see it,until we go near to show it to him.
Surely there was something very funny,uncanny.Our belief were that our dear grand mother although gone for so many years still returned to play hide and seek with her favourite grandson.It never happened to me.No jokes it is true,Strange?
Very soon after her demised our sister was accepted to be trained at Brinsford Lodge,U.K.,as a teacher.So once again we had to travel to Kuala Lumpur to sent our sister off.WE passed a night at our Auntis's place before sending her off to England at the Subang Airport.
Our dear sister had been employed as a temporary teacher at the Convent School after her school certificate examination.When the results finally came she was name the best candidate for lower Perak.Scores of friends from other school came our house to congratulate her.
Our mother was relief slightly when she was employed by the school.Now that she was leaving us temporary our mother would be deprieved of some cash.She need to return to work harder.Only consolation to her was that she had now only two school going boys to support.
Our father remained jobless but continued writing some articles contributing to some unkown newspaper earning a merger income insufficient to substain even himself.Nevertheless we get by.
We continued our usual life style here playing around the plantation Now that I was getting older I developed a little attracted to girls though I had no affectionate connection with any of them.We just moved around the line site teasing them,that was all,nothing more.That plantation had quite few beauties around but non really thrilled me.
Then in 1959 I was promoted to Form 5 - General.What a shame? Promoted to the worst class of the form 5s.Well, I took it easy anyway.We maybe the worst class and had all the cronies ever around.Very funny characters loomed within us.What a bloody laugh we had those days.
We thought our days of going to Kuala Lumour were no more after our grandmother passed away.How wrong we were?. Our dear Auntie still send for us to spend our holidays there.Perhaps the memory of her dearest mother still lingered on within her. That could be the sole reason she sent for us.Maybe our presence could eased her mind.
Our grandmother was quite alright.Within the next few months she was taken ill.We were rushed down to Kuala Lumpur to see.In fact this time the whole family went down.
On arrival we were taken to the General Hospital where our dear grandmother was being treated.Everything were not so fine as our grandmother was diagnosed as having cancer of the throat.That surely was bad news to us.
We saw her and she was very pleased to see us,smiling a little bit but she could not consume any food.That worried us but there was nothing we could do us accept looking on.Our Auntie seem very worried.Having seen her we rushed back home to Teluk Anson.
Only to return a week or so later as our grandmother was dying.It was very sad as we did not see her face before she passed away.Funeral was arranged at my Auntie's house which should not have been the case.What can we do for we do not had the means to perform those last rituals.
Before I left with our parents for Kuala Lumpur I wrote a leave letter to my teacher giving my reason for taking the emergency leave.I wrote it in good faith but sad to write this.I was ridiculed at, when I return to school after the funeral.
It was read out by the teacher in front of the class Well Nothing wrong in pointing out my English mistakes but some class mates took it as a joke.They created a big fuss out of it..
All her friends and relatives in Kuala Lumpur turned up for the occasion helping around.The coffin was sent down to Teluk Anson where she was buried at the 9th.mile Cemetery Changkat Jong Road.The whole funeral were properly arranged by our Auntie...
Though our grand mother had left us for so long, one thing very uncanny always happened to our younger brother whenever we went to pay our respects to her every Cheng Beng.She apparently was always playing "hide and seek" with him.
Everytime we sent him in front of us the grandmother's grave with the cleaners.,He can never find her grave with ease.He always had to take sometime to locate it.There were many incidences similar like that - even he was standing directly in front of her grave he still cannot see it,until we go near to show it to him.
Surely there was something very funny,uncanny.Our belief were that our dear grand mother although gone for so many years still returned to play hide and seek with her favourite grandson.It never happened to me.No jokes it is true,Strange?
Very soon after her demised our sister was accepted to be trained at Brinsford Lodge,U.K.,as a teacher.So once again we had to travel to Kuala Lumpur to sent our sister off.WE passed a night at our Auntis's place before sending her off to England at the Subang Airport.
Our dear sister had been employed as a temporary teacher at the Convent School after her school certificate examination.When the results finally came she was name the best candidate for lower Perak.Scores of friends from other school came our house to congratulate her.
Our mother was relief slightly when she was employed by the school.Now that she was leaving us temporary our mother would be deprieved of some cash.She need to return to work harder.Only consolation to her was that she had now only two school going boys to support.
Our father remained jobless but continued writing some articles contributing to some unkown newspaper earning a merger income insufficient to substain even himself.Nevertheless we get by.
We continued our usual life style here playing around the plantation Now that I was getting older I developed a little attracted to girls though I had no affectionate connection with any of them.We just moved around the line site teasing them,that was all,nothing more.That plantation had quite few beauties around but non really thrilled me.
Then in 1959 I was promoted to Form 5 - General.What a shame? Promoted to the worst class of the form 5s.Well, I took it easy anyway.We maybe the worst class and had all the cronies ever around.Very funny characters loomed within us.What a bloody laugh we had those days.
We thought our days of going to Kuala Lumour were no more after our grandmother passed away.How wrong we were?. Our dear Auntie still send for us to spend our holidays there.Perhaps the memory of her dearest mother still lingered on within her. That could be the sole reason she sent for us.Maybe our presence could eased her mind.
Chapter 19 We Shifted To Ratanui Estate.
With our mother being the sole bread winner it was then impossible for us to continue staying at that house cum office along Immigration Road.
Tapping for small holders she was not entitled to any housing,but should she be employed by an Estate.That would have made the difference.So she applied to join Ratanui Estate,a plantation about one and a half mile to town.That was towards the end of 1957.
There she given a one room quarter.Though it was so tiny we shifted into it - we had no other alternative. At least with that housing supplied we had a roof over our heads.Beggars were no choosers,we had to accept without condition.
We had a bed which were to be occupied by our mother and sister a We, both brothers slept under the bed.Those old fashion bed were raised quite high.So it was quite comfortable for us to sleep beneath it..Our poor father had no where else but to sleep on a crouch at the verandah which was quite wide..
Daily I had to cycle to school on our very old bicycle while my brother went on the school bus.Our sister too cycled to school.Here at least there were no rental or electricity bills to pay all were free.Electricity was lighted until 10.00 p.m.only to be re-ignited at 5.00 a,m,. the following morning..
Even having such detrimental conditions our dear sister survived her studies and in fact did very well . When the results of the Overseas Cambridge School Certificate examination came she scored the best results for the whole of Lower Perak. Mind you she studied under the light of a kerosene lamp and yet achieved such fantastic results.That was for 1957 school certificate examination..
I was in form four then.During the week ends we would have to assist our mother in her tapping of rubber by cleaning the latex cups.This was for an extra few cents only.Without us helping she would have managed with similar results.Here we had to do other chores such as collecting firewood from the fields.
.Residing in the rubber plantation was great fun though, for here we met with another different group of friends.The plantation type.There were some Chinese but most of the other labour force were Indians.Now I do not roamed the streets we ran wild among the rubber trees.Our activities took another drastic changed.
Now our play grounds were entirely different for in our spare time we go fishing or catch fighting fish.We stole fish from fish traps laid by some kampong folks.Simple traps with a piece of plank in front of a man made hole which was triggered to shut once a fish (haruan or snake head) got into it.
We also learned to use a parang to slash those fish if seen hidden among the water weeds.Welll not all the time we got the target and missed because the aim went astray and glided in water.We also learn to block spots that were full of fish - on both sides of a huge drain.On baling out all the water therein we catch the remaining fish.
Sometimes we caught a snake instead of a big fish.That really gave us a scared of our life.Before we were frightened at the very sight of snake,Not now we finished them off.Easy,first we strike the snake in its mid section curtailing its movements.Then we smashed its head.Snake would still moved even with its head smashed but that would slowly die down.
We hardly warmed up when suddenly out of no where came a relative requesting me and brother to be in Kuala Lumpur.Thus we simply packed and left. It was school holiday then so it was easy.We were actually going for a short holiday with our grandmother.Our Auntie sent for us because she found her dear mother very lonely and longing to see her grandsons.
We of course were excited with the trip. We were anxious to see Kuala Lumpur.A thing we could hardly afford those days or dream of.Now we were going at our Auntie's expense.What a luxury?. We changed train at Tapah then straight on to Kuala Lumpur.We did not go there all by ourselves as we were went together with another,a cousin brother-in-law.
Our Auntie was at hand to at the raiolway station to take us to her home.Our grandmother was so happy to see us there and for the first time we meet our cousin sister.Their bungalow was in Setapak.
Daily we just loitered around the house,playing with our cousin.She and my brother always complained about me teasing them which send the grandmother after me just like the old days at our old house.
I remembered on occasion while she catching I accidentally hit her hand and that spot turned blue black.That was pointed out to my Uncle who gave me a stern look but without any rebuke.It was entirely an accident but the blame definitely fell flat on me.
Finding us beginning to get bored of the stay our Auntie took us together with cousin sister to watch Cinema shows at the Rex Threatre and at time at Capitol.We were always at the reserved seats as she had complimentary tickets for all of us.
While there I also came to know of a friend named Alex.Alex was resided just the opposite of our Uncle's house.His father must be rich to stay n that huge bungalow.For the first time there I knew about toy plane flying because it was one of Alex hobby.In fact I was introduced to all his family members.Those days I think it was quite expensive for that.Well at least very expensive to me.
We were holidaying there for more than three weeks before we had to return to Teluk Anson as school was going to re-open.So we return to rags after a rich stinct holiday at our Auntie's.Similarly we traveled back by train at the guidance of that cousin brother-in-law.
Within days school was reopened and we returned to all our new friends.We went swimming at the 3rd,mile water gate.Our good friend there the Yap brothers and sisters,all children of Contractor.When we had nothing t do we listened to the yearning of an old timer.
He was most of time boasting about his earlier life as a hunter.However we all knew he was talking rubbish just plain boasting to small children,no truth whatsoever.I doubt he ever held a gun before.We just listened and later laughed over what he said.
We knew because he bluffed everyone present that opium grew on trees.And that he was an opium leaves Cintractor.What utter nonsense? However we never challenged him but allowed be.Once
I had a fight with another tappers' son and was told to see the Plantation Manager.The plantation had a European Manager,I was not afraid when I faced him in is office.He asked me sternly,"'Now young man why did you punched the other boy?'.
I replied "Sir,that boy was a crook,he tried to cheat me.That was why I punched him"."Now,young man what did he do?".The Manager asked. .I explained that we went cutting wood together and agreed to divide the wood when we returned home,because he got a bigger carriage on his bicycle to transport the bigger pieces.In return I had to climb the dried up rubber tree to cut down the dried wood.My job was dangerous and we agreed to share with him"
"But on returning he took all the wood he carried home,refusing to share with me,so in anger I punched him"."Oh I see,now you go home and do not fight again",said the Manager.The Manager scored the complainant and told them to go home in peace. Here after whenever I saw the Manager he would waved at me from his Land rover he would also showed me his thumb up.
Fate had it that we met again sometime later when he was Manager of Eagle Hurst Estate,Ulu Sapetang,Taiping.I was then working in a neighboring plantation but he could not recognized me so I allowed it be.
When I was already form iv and beginning to develop some liking for girls.Of course there were a few around in the plantation .We went around teasing them quite often.However I had no connection with any.For example there were the shop keeper's daughters.The elder of whom claimed that I was too young,so was another black beauty.Anyway I was still schooling.
Tapping for small holders she was not entitled to any housing,but should she be employed by an Estate.That would have made the difference.So she applied to join Ratanui Estate,a plantation about one and a half mile to town.That was towards the end of 1957.
There she given a one room quarter.Though it was so tiny we shifted into it - we had no other alternative. At least with that housing supplied we had a roof over our heads.Beggars were no choosers,we had to accept without condition.
We had a bed which were to be occupied by our mother and sister a We, both brothers slept under the bed.Those old fashion bed were raised quite high.So it was quite comfortable for us to sleep beneath it..Our poor father had no where else but to sleep on a crouch at the verandah which was quite wide..
Daily I had to cycle to school on our very old bicycle while my brother went on the school bus.Our sister too cycled to school.Here at least there were no rental or electricity bills to pay all were free.Electricity was lighted until 10.00 p.m.only to be re-ignited at 5.00 a,m,. the following morning..
Even having such detrimental conditions our dear sister survived her studies and in fact did very well . When the results of the Overseas Cambridge School Certificate examination came she scored the best results for the whole of Lower Perak. Mind you she studied under the light of a kerosene lamp and yet achieved such fantastic results.That was for 1957 school certificate examination..
I was in form four then.During the week ends we would have to assist our mother in her tapping of rubber by cleaning the latex cups.This was for an extra few cents only.Without us helping she would have managed with similar results.Here we had to do other chores such as collecting firewood from the fields.
.Residing in the rubber plantation was great fun though, for here we met with another different group of friends.The plantation type.There were some Chinese but most of the other labour force were Indians.Now I do not roamed the streets we ran wild among the rubber trees.Our activities took another drastic changed.
Now our play grounds were entirely different for in our spare time we go fishing or catch fighting fish.We stole fish from fish traps laid by some kampong folks.Simple traps with a piece of plank in front of a man made hole which was triggered to shut once a fish (haruan or snake head) got into it.
We also learned to use a parang to slash those fish if seen hidden among the water weeds.Welll not all the time we got the target and missed because the aim went astray and glided in water.We also learn to block spots that were full of fish - on both sides of a huge drain.On baling out all the water therein we catch the remaining fish.
Sometimes we caught a snake instead of a big fish.That really gave us a scared of our life.Before we were frightened at the very sight of snake,Not now we finished them off.Easy,first we strike the snake in its mid section curtailing its movements.Then we smashed its head.Snake would still moved even with its head smashed but that would slowly die down.
We hardly warmed up when suddenly out of no where came a relative requesting me and brother to be in Kuala Lumpur.Thus we simply packed and left. It was school holiday then so it was easy.We were actually going for a short holiday with our grandmother.Our Auntie sent for us because she found her dear mother very lonely and longing to see her grandsons.
We of course were excited with the trip. We were anxious to see Kuala Lumpur.A thing we could hardly afford those days or dream of.Now we were going at our Auntie's expense.What a luxury?. We changed train at Tapah then straight on to Kuala Lumpur.We did not go there all by ourselves as we were went together with another,a cousin brother-in-law.
Our Auntie was at hand to at the raiolway station to take us to her home.Our grandmother was so happy to see us there and for the first time we meet our cousin sister.Their bungalow was in Setapak.
Daily we just loitered around the house,playing with our cousin.She and my brother always complained about me teasing them which send the grandmother after me just like the old days at our old house.
I remembered on occasion while she catching I accidentally hit her hand and that spot turned blue black.That was pointed out to my Uncle who gave me a stern look but without any rebuke.It was entirely an accident but the blame definitely fell flat on me.
Finding us beginning to get bored of the stay our Auntie took us together with cousin sister to watch Cinema shows at the Rex Threatre and at time at Capitol.We were always at the reserved seats as she had complimentary tickets for all of us.
While there I also came to know of a friend named Alex.Alex was resided just the opposite of our Uncle's house.His father must be rich to stay n that huge bungalow.For the first time there I knew about toy plane flying because it was one of Alex hobby.In fact I was introduced to all his family members.Those days I think it was quite expensive for that.Well at least very expensive to me.
We were holidaying there for more than three weeks before we had to return to Teluk Anson as school was going to re-open.So we return to rags after a rich stinct holiday at our Auntie's.Similarly we traveled back by train at the guidance of that cousin brother-in-law.
Within days school was reopened and we returned to all our new friends.We went swimming at the 3rd,mile water gate.Our good friend there the Yap brothers and sisters,all children of Contractor.When we had nothing t do we listened to the yearning of an old timer.
He was most of time boasting about his earlier life as a hunter.However we all knew he was talking rubbish just plain boasting to small children,no truth whatsoever.I doubt he ever held a gun before.We just listened and later laughed over what he said.
We knew because he bluffed everyone present that opium grew on trees.And that he was an opium leaves Cintractor.What utter nonsense? However we never challenged him but allowed be.Once
I had a fight with another tappers' son and was told to see the Plantation Manager.The plantation had a European Manager,I was not afraid when I faced him in is office.He asked me sternly,"'Now young man why did you punched the other boy?'.
I replied "Sir,that boy was a crook,he tried to cheat me.That was why I punched him"."Now,young man what did he do?".The Manager asked. .I explained that we went cutting wood together and agreed to divide the wood when we returned home,because he got a bigger carriage on his bicycle to transport the bigger pieces.In return I had to climb the dried up rubber tree to cut down the dried wood.My job was dangerous and we agreed to share with him"
"But on returning he took all the wood he carried home,refusing to share with me,so in anger I punched him"."Oh I see,now you go home and do not fight again",said the Manager.The Manager scored the complainant and told them to go home in peace. Here after whenever I saw the Manager he would waved at me from his Land rover he would also showed me his thumb up.
Fate had it that we met again sometime later when he was Manager of Eagle Hurst Estate,Ulu Sapetang,Taiping.I was then working in a neighboring plantation but he could not recognized me so I allowed it be.
When I was already form iv and beginning to develop some liking for girls.Of course there were a few around in the plantation .We went around teasing them quite often.However I had no connection with any.For example there were the shop keeper's daughters.The elder of whom claimed that I was too young,so was another black beauty.Anyway I was still schooling.
Chapter 18 The Return Of Our Poor Grand Mother
On completing the sales of our house and given the most part of it to our father she left to stay in Kuala Lumpur.Undoubtedly she was never happy after the sales.She had guarded that final property.
She had refused our uncle to sell the house to help him to finance his business which he promised would bring us back to former glory She never trusted him for she knew him well.Most of all she was preserving that last inheritance to protect us..
All maybe lost still she kept it so we have a roof over over heads.Now with its lost she lost fate and left with a broken heart.The whole affair was driving her mad.She was not enjoying her stay with her daughter in Kuala Lumpur for she only wanted to reside in her own house with her grandchildren,that be us.
The staying away from us did her no good either as her condition was deteriorating further.She wanted to come home to us.Knowing our predicaments our Auntie held her back but with her constant pestering she just had to send her back when it was becoming unbearable.
She had expected our father to improve our status if not at least reside in a more decent house.Further the business running but to her dismay this was never to be.She was utterly shocked to see coffins in the show room.She stood there speechless.
Her emotions took another beating and her face turned paler.In anger she clasped her hard and then open up signifying the lost of everything.She had expected our father to do good with the capital he had in hand.How wrong she was?Now it was clear to her all were lost.
To make matter worst our father continued to pester for more money which she never had.That sent her reeling off her mind.She began walking around looking forlorn into the emptiness around.With teary eyes she would all of a sudden out of the blue let off clapping and then stretched her hands out to signify all were lost,the last of the family's fortune.
She undoubtedly was blaming herself. Dear old grandmother how deeply hurt she was.Our father never learn that he was never a business man.Life was never what he had in mind.Thinking back I think we all cannot totally blamed him for his failures because he was a pampered child for a start.
Although an adopted child he was well loved and never endured any hard life during his younger days.He had most things in life and when he did not perform well at school locally he was sent to study in Ipoh.That was where I think he squandered away his time studying mixing around with "pigs and dogs friend" as our mother used to emphasize regarding his friends.. .
He had not indulged fully into business but instead slowly squandered away all the money given to him.His stock in timber was never huge in any manner and therefore having not much share in the business.Maybe his strategy was all wrong.I was about thirteen years old then and surely knew what were happening.
Very often he blamed his failures on luck,now was it luck? No.never success or good fortune do not come easy we have to earn it.Good fortune do not fall from heaven.So from young I had learned to work hard to achieve our goal.
As if not enough one fine morning we found her lying in one of the coffin.Much to the displeasure of the coffin owner..In discontent he told our grandmother,"Granny,should you ever die I can even present one to you but not now that you are alive"..We also gathered round her beckoning her to come away from the coffin.
How dreadful was that event and it bothered all of us badly.That was another occasion almost a few days later she went missing in the middle of the night.We searched every where but she was no where to be found.So we broke up different direction to locate.
My brother and father found her at the jetty a short distance away.She was contemplating to jump into the Perak River.Had she jumped that very instant that would be her end but no she was just standing there.
In haste our father grabbed hold her .She never utter anything but refused to bulge.Seeing that he was forced to carry her home..Our dear Auntie when she heard of this incident rushed from Kuala Lumpur almost immediately.
Without waiting for any explanation she bundled our grandmother into her car and whisked her of back to Kuala Lumpur.She was of course angry at our father for attending to her mother properly.
I was then in Form three.We had to walk to school daily and what distance to the Anglo Chinese School (Secondary). Many a times went on without breakfast.Our dear Auntie was reside near to the Capitol Theatre which we passed daily on our way to school.
Her generosity were showed on us for as we passed her place she would invite us into her house for some breakfast plus tea.Bless her for that otherwise wise would have to drink only plain water until we were home for lunch.Those I also attended the Chinese afternoon classes held at the Anglo Chinese School (Primary) in the afternoon.
However I studied for about two years before giving up because I had no money to pay the school fees.That was why I can read and write some Mandarin.Though I was unable to pay the fees the teacher still invited me to continue studying there but I was too shy to accept those kind gesture.What a bloody shame really.
She had refused our uncle to sell the house to help him to finance his business which he promised would bring us back to former glory She never trusted him for she knew him well.Most of all she was preserving that last inheritance to protect us..
All maybe lost still she kept it so we have a roof over over heads.Now with its lost she lost fate and left with a broken heart.The whole affair was driving her mad.She was not enjoying her stay with her daughter in Kuala Lumpur for she only wanted to reside in her own house with her grandchildren,that be us.
The staying away from us did her no good either as her condition was deteriorating further.She wanted to come home to us.Knowing our predicaments our Auntie held her back but with her constant pestering she just had to send her back when it was becoming unbearable.
She had expected our father to improve our status if not at least reside in a more decent house.Further the business running but to her dismay this was never to be.She was utterly shocked to see coffins in the show room.She stood there speechless.
Her emotions took another beating and her face turned paler.In anger she clasped her hard and then open up signifying the lost of everything.She had expected our father to do good with the capital he had in hand.How wrong she was?Now it was clear to her all were lost.
To make matter worst our father continued to pester for more money which she never had.That sent her reeling off her mind.She began walking around looking forlorn into the emptiness around.With teary eyes she would all of a sudden out of the blue let off clapping and then stretched her hands out to signify all were lost,the last of the family's fortune.
She undoubtedly was blaming herself. Dear old grandmother how deeply hurt she was.Our father never learn that he was never a business man.Life was never what he had in mind.Thinking back I think we all cannot totally blamed him for his failures because he was a pampered child for a start.
Although an adopted child he was well loved and never endured any hard life during his younger days.He had most things in life and when he did not perform well at school locally he was sent to study in Ipoh.That was where I think he squandered away his time studying mixing around with "pigs and dogs friend" as our mother used to emphasize regarding his friends.. .
He had not indulged fully into business but instead slowly squandered away all the money given to him.His stock in timber was never huge in any manner and therefore having not much share in the business.Maybe his strategy was all wrong.I was about thirteen years old then and surely knew what were happening.
Very often he blamed his failures on luck,now was it luck? No.never success or good fortune do not come easy we have to earn it.Good fortune do not fall from heaven.So from young I had learned to work hard to achieve our goal.
As if not enough one fine morning we found her lying in one of the coffin.Much to the displeasure of the coffin owner..In discontent he told our grandmother,"Granny,should you ever die I can even present one to you but not now that you are alive"..We also gathered round her beckoning her to come away from the coffin.
How dreadful was that event and it bothered all of us badly.That was another occasion almost a few days later she went missing in the middle of the night.We searched every where but she was no where to be found.So we broke up different direction to locate.
My brother and father found her at the jetty a short distance away.She was contemplating to jump into the Perak River.Had she jumped that very instant that would be her end but no she was just standing there.
In haste our father grabbed hold her .She never utter anything but refused to bulge.Seeing that he was forced to carry her home..Our dear Auntie when she heard of this incident rushed from Kuala Lumpur almost immediately.
Without waiting for any explanation she bundled our grandmother into her car and whisked her of back to Kuala Lumpur.She was of course angry at our father for attending to her mother properly.
I was then in Form three.We had to walk to school daily and what distance to the Anglo Chinese School (Secondary). Many a times went on without breakfast.Our dear Auntie was reside near to the Capitol Theatre which we passed daily on our way to school.
Her generosity were showed on us for as we passed her place she would invite us into her house for some breakfast plus tea.Bless her for that otherwise wise would have to drink only plain water until we were home for lunch.Those I also attended the Chinese afternoon classes held at the Anglo Chinese School (Primary) in the afternoon.
However I studied for about two years before giving up because I had no money to pay the school fees.That was why I can read and write some Mandarin.Though I was unable to pay the fees the teacher still invited me to continue studying there but I was too shy to accept those kind gesture.What a bloody shame really.
Chap[ter 17 The Coffin Bunsiness
With the termination of our timber business our father rented the showroom to a coffin seller.So dear friends hat was never anything to do with us.
What a dreadful sign with coffins lying all round but we were too young to understand much so we as usual played around those coffins.Now everyone thought we were children of a coffin trader.How awful- being known coffin man's children.
Nevertheless we still played around those coffins.Some of our friends even played hide and seek with them hiding with these coffins.They even dared sleeping in them but never me I dared not.
Once I was insulted by a big bully and was challenged to fight him.Not fearing for the worst I stood up against him with drawn fists.He was starring deep into me with fist ready to punch.
He was huge in size and definitely hanged there over looking down on me Me, I was short and small comparatively.I was surely at a disadvantage against this brute. Nevertheless I braved on looking back at him.
Seeing him on the standoff I without hesitation swan my right uppercutting on to his chin.It was a strong and powerful punch.Poor thing was dropped to the floor by that punch.Next thing I knew I was proclaimed the hero from all angles.
"Wah",so said Ah Bye our one legged friend,"only one single punch and down felt the big bully.Very good". with everyone crowding around me he could not even rise up to fight me further.From then on I was known as a fighter a very good fighter.
During our stay there we had meet with another character,an apprentice of the carpenter.He was also staying at the workshop and it was he who taught me some Chinese "kungfu". His name was a Ah Soi semi- cracko.
My cousin who was working next door also taught me other "kungfu"moves.Strengthenimg my arms and fists by shadow boxing on trees.He was very skilful and could smashed the bark of trees with his fore arms..With such guidance how can I be a weakling?.
The extra field where our house stood also served as our training ground.The logs for the nearby sawmill also laid ready for us to train our jumping and resting.Resting to gaze at the starry nights of the beautiful sky.
There a large tract of land behid our house laying in waste.Littered with tall coconut palms through out the and with no coconuts in sight,presumably stolen before even mature.The undergrowth within were thick bushes.
Within this hid the "moon shiners".I had actually taken a peep at it once in the morning when the moon shiners were not around.They normally operated at night,deep into the night where no one noticed them.
The place was filthy with many rusty drums filled with dirty water lying around.There were dead rats by its side.Those have been drown in the moon shine.How on earth human being could have consumed such drinks..However they outings were short lived as soon the Police had them arrested and prosecuted in court. That ended their business.
Our father had nothing t do so he turned to writing small reports to certain not so well known newspaper.Earnings from such were extremely low if at all he was paid.Our livelihood was at its lowest then but carried on.
What a dreadful sign with coffins lying all round but we were too young to understand much so we as usual played around those coffins.Now everyone thought we were children of a coffin trader.How awful- being known coffin man's children.
Nevertheless we still played around those coffins.Some of our friends even played hide and seek with them hiding with these coffins.They even dared sleeping in them but never me I dared not.
Once I was insulted by a big bully and was challenged to fight him.Not fearing for the worst I stood up against him with drawn fists.He was starring deep into me with fist ready to punch.
He was huge in size and definitely hanged there over looking down on me Me, I was short and small comparatively.I was surely at a disadvantage against this brute. Nevertheless I braved on looking back at him.
Seeing him on the standoff I without hesitation swan my right uppercutting on to his chin.It was a strong and powerful punch.Poor thing was dropped to the floor by that punch.Next thing I knew I was proclaimed the hero from all angles.
"Wah",so said Ah Bye our one legged friend,"only one single punch and down felt the big bully.Very good". with everyone crowding around me he could not even rise up to fight me further.From then on I was known as a fighter a very good fighter.
During our stay there we had meet with another character,an apprentice of the carpenter.He was also staying at the workshop and it was he who taught me some Chinese "kungfu". His name was a Ah Soi semi- cracko.
My cousin who was working next door also taught me other "kungfu"moves.Strengthenimg my arms and fists by shadow boxing on trees.He was very skilful and could smashed the bark of trees with his fore arms..With such guidance how can I be a weakling?.
The extra field where our house stood also served as our training ground.The logs for the nearby sawmill also laid ready for us to train our jumping and resting.Resting to gaze at the starry nights of the beautiful sky.
There a large tract of land behid our house laying in waste.Littered with tall coconut palms through out the and with no coconuts in sight,presumably stolen before even mature.The undergrowth within were thick bushes.
Within this hid the "moon shiners".I had actually taken a peep at it once in the morning when the moon shiners were not around.They normally operated at night,deep into the night where no one noticed them.
The place was filthy with many rusty drums filled with dirty water lying around.There were dead rats by its side.Those have been drown in the moon shine.How on earth human being could have consumed such drinks..However they outings were short lived as soon the Police had them arrested and prosecuted in court. That ended their business.
Our father had nothing t do so he turned to writing small reports to certain not so well known newspaper.Earnings from such were extremely low if at all he was paid.Our livelihood was at its lowest then but carried on.
Chater 16 Our Father's Busiess.
We finally shifted to our father's office cum home along Immigration Road .We were only occupying one half of the house.
The other part,lived another tenants.We all had to live in one room with office space as sitting room.There was a Carpenter's workshop in front of our house with the rest of the space rested the timber our father had to trade.
The house was about two chains from the main road.On our right side was a saw milll. And on our left was another timber trader with very large stick of timber.At the back of our house about three chains or so away was the Perak River.
We were scared of the river initially but not for long before we ventured near it.We slowly got accustomed to it and took the courage to plunge into - it learning to swim.Weng Cheong came along when we began learning to swim.
Well,all of us shared the same amount of river water we swallowed during those days.It was no easy tasks learning to swim.We had no one to guide us either.Nevertheless,through trials and errors, by diving from one end to another we splashed ourselves to be quite good swimmers.
We were quite foolish to have ignored the danger of drowning.The fact was we were learning to swim in depths which were above our heads,It nearly proved fatal as one of us nearly got into trouble. Had it not been the presence of mine I pulled him away from danger in the need of time,thus pulling him to safety.It was Weng Cheong.Well no tears no gain at least all of us can swim thereafter.
The river was known for its other dangers from crocodiles,and fast tidal flowing river.As days drifted by we became stronger,tougher in mind and body.Daily we would played and swam around those areas with or without Weng Cheong we were always there .By now we had many new friends then all fairly naked waist up and completely without when swimming.
We also learned to fish, failing which we stole from the traps set by fishermen.The sides of the river were often laid with all sort of traps to catch shrimps and fish.The fishermen laid them during low tide only to return to catch fish and shrimps as the tide recede.
Water snakes were aplenty and sometimes when feeling for fish within those traps we would accidentally grabbed them and what a terrifying scared.The mangrove swamp also provided us with fruits,very sour fruits which monkeys dared not eat.Their trees also provided us with diving board.It was fun diving naked
Yeah,I was twelve to thirteen years old then.With this new group of friends we would play all sort of pranks beyond description.We were now change completely in this new environment..Here we knew about smoking and gambling but we were nowhere as we do not have the means to service such vices.
I remembered an occasion where I and my brother joined these friends there to carry funeral banners for a miserable two ringgit.What to do - no other means of getting pocket money.However our earnings were only spent on things we like to eat never otherwise.
We did that only once never again as we faced the gossiping tongues of people known to us. I felt no shame for our actions as we did not steal to earn that pocket money.Perhaps to carry funeral banners were not so honorable but what is honor without money.
Our father's business was never good.Despite the fact that now that he had sufficient the capital to work with. There were not much timber in stock at his showroom.Whereas his immediate neighbor had full of stocks customers could choose from.Until this day I still how this were so?.
Business was never good.He hardly made any big sales.Days went by and months drifted off yet his business was still at its lowest.In short we were only living on our money given to us by our dear grandmother.
To what I perceived our dear father does not know how to do business .All he knew was how to enjoy himself.He was gambling in the evening in clubs.Although only playing mahjong but at bigger stake.All these should have been beyond his means..
He was smart in keeping our mother quiet by supplying her sufficient for her to indulge deeply in her own life style,also gambling by playing mahjong.Her stakes were small but losing almost all the time.
Once one evening we followed our mother to a hotel where our father was seen hanging around.There was a quarrel and our father left that together with us.So we also harbor the belief that his past time was playing mahjong.Now it was exposed that he was also involved in womanizing.
Very soon the money in his hands dwindled away.After a year or so he had no more money t spent let alone buy us food.Rice became our most after item and we were daily in dire need of it.Each daily consumption were purchased in katty.
Then there were none in our rice contain our mother resorted to borrowing but when you were so down and broke even borrowing became a mighty problem.Luckily there were only a handful of relatives to rely on but foe how long?My auntie (her sister) assist many a times.
Here we also meet with a good Samaritan in a youth we called "botha"his actual named was Ah Yean..He was a loner who aided those illegal four digits people serving as their "runner".He was paid for all his runs whenever there were races.
He had been eating in our home for sometime and when there were no more rice in the coffer he obligated by buying some for us.A very kind gesture indeed it came just as when we were in need of it.
Other mother on the hand went back to tap rubber for small holders.Her earnings were not much just sufficient for us to get by.By then our rentals of the house were due.There were no money tio replenish our timber stock and therefore our father had to close shop,
The other part,lived another tenants.We all had to live in one room with office space as sitting room.There was a Carpenter's workshop in front of our house with the rest of the space rested the timber our father had to trade.
The house was about two chains from the main road.On our right side was a saw milll. And on our left was another timber trader with very large stick of timber.At the back of our house about three chains or so away was the Perak River.
We were scared of the river initially but not for long before we ventured near it.We slowly got accustomed to it and took the courage to plunge into - it learning to swim.Weng Cheong came along when we began learning to swim.
Well,all of us shared the same amount of river water we swallowed during those days.It was no easy tasks learning to swim.We had no one to guide us either.Nevertheless,through trials and errors, by diving from one end to another we splashed ourselves to be quite good swimmers.
We were quite foolish to have ignored the danger of drowning.The fact was we were learning to swim in depths which were above our heads,It nearly proved fatal as one of us nearly got into trouble. Had it not been the presence of mine I pulled him away from danger in the need of time,thus pulling him to safety.It was Weng Cheong.Well no tears no gain at least all of us can swim thereafter.
The river was known for its other dangers from crocodiles,and fast tidal flowing river.As days drifted by we became stronger,tougher in mind and body.Daily we would played and swam around those areas with or without Weng Cheong we were always there .By now we had many new friends then all fairly naked waist up and completely without when swimming.
We also learned to fish, failing which we stole from the traps set by fishermen.The sides of the river were often laid with all sort of traps to catch shrimps and fish.The fishermen laid them during low tide only to return to catch fish and shrimps as the tide recede.
Water snakes were aplenty and sometimes when feeling for fish within those traps we would accidentally grabbed them and what a terrifying scared.The mangrove swamp also provided us with fruits,very sour fruits which monkeys dared not eat.Their trees also provided us with diving board.It was fun diving naked
Yeah,I was twelve to thirteen years old then.With this new group of friends we would play all sort of pranks beyond description.We were now change completely in this new environment..Here we knew about smoking and gambling but we were nowhere as we do not have the means to service such vices.
I remembered an occasion where I and my brother joined these friends there to carry funeral banners for a miserable two ringgit.What to do - no other means of getting pocket money.However our earnings were only spent on things we like to eat never otherwise.
We did that only once never again as we faced the gossiping tongues of people known to us. I felt no shame for our actions as we did not steal to earn that pocket money.Perhaps to carry funeral banners were not so honorable but what is honor without money.
Our father's business was never good.Despite the fact that now that he had sufficient the capital to work with. There were not much timber in stock at his showroom.Whereas his immediate neighbor had full of stocks customers could choose from.Until this day I still how this were so?.
Business was never good.He hardly made any big sales.Days went by and months drifted off yet his business was still at its lowest.In short we were only living on our money given to us by our dear grandmother.
To what I perceived our dear father does not know how to do business .All he knew was how to enjoy himself.He was gambling in the evening in clubs.Although only playing mahjong but at bigger stake.All these should have been beyond his means..
He was smart in keeping our mother quiet by supplying her sufficient for her to indulge deeply in her own life style,also gambling by playing mahjong.Her stakes were small but losing almost all the time.
Once one evening we followed our mother to a hotel where our father was seen hanging around.There was a quarrel and our father left that together with us.So we also harbor the belief that his past time was playing mahjong.Now it was exposed that he was also involved in womanizing.
Very soon the money in his hands dwindled away.After a year or so he had no more money t spent let alone buy us food.Rice became our most after item and we were daily in dire need of it.Each daily consumption were purchased in katty.
Then there were none in our rice contain our mother resorted to borrowing but when you were so down and broke even borrowing became a mighty problem.Luckily there were only a handful of relatives to rely on but foe how long?My auntie (her sister) assist many a times.
Here we also meet with a good Samaritan in a youth we called "botha"his actual named was Ah Yean..He was a loner who aided those illegal four digits people serving as their "runner".He was paid for all his runs whenever there were races.
He had been eating in our home for sometime and when there were no more rice in the coffer he obligated by buying some for us.A very kind gesture indeed it came just as when we were in need of it.
Other mother on the hand went back to tap rubber for small holders.Her earnings were not much just sufficient for us to get by.By then our rentals of the house were due.There were no money tio replenish our timber stock and therefore our father had to close shop,
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
