The World of Tai Tai

The following is the second short story I wrote. I hope you can bear with my amateurish effort. A white speedboat is slicing through the sea under the blazing sun. Huge plumes of spray arc out from both sides of the boat.Diamonds of sunlight dance merrily on the water's surface. Waves rise and fall over each other in uniform rhythm. Peter is steering the boat with the same enthusiasm and adeptness. He is familiar with the directions of the wind and waves like a seasoned sailor. He enjoys being alone in the vast blue waters. It makes him forget all his worldly concerns and worries. The panoramic sea appeals to him more and more with each passing day. It always fills his heart with wonder. How great it is to be in harmony with the sea. He feels closer to God and the woman he loves. Ever since she lost her battle with leukemia three years ago, he has become more and more consistent in sailing on the sea. Before she breathed her last, she requested him to have her cremated and s...

The bus came to a groaning halt at the bus stop.Its electric-powered door swung open and I boarded it with bags of groceries in my hands. After dropping some cash into the fare box beside the driver, I edged my way through a line of standing passengers to the rear of the bus.I grinned to myself in relief when I spotted an unoccupied seat beside a red-shirted Iban man. Having ensconced myself in the seat,I decided to close my eyes for a short rest. However, something smelly attacked my nostrils. Crinkling my nose in disgust, I looked sideways at my neighbor. He seemed to be savoring the view of buildings which whirred past the window. Ya, it couldn't be wrong. The odor came directly from him.How many days had he not taken a shower? No wonder the seat had been left vacant! Suddenly, I found myself staring at the man eye-to-eye.My surprise quickly turned to a shock When I realized that his face was mottled with bruises, scabs and open wounds. Before I could tear my eyes away from...

One afternoon nine years ago, I received a phone call from my Principal during the break time of my school's annual athletics meet. "Mr. Thye, I want you to come over to the security office in Bintang Plaza now, " commanded the Principal in a grave tone. "Yes, but may I know what is happening?" asked I,feeling totally perplexed. "Your student, Christopher, has been caught exposing his genital to a female sales assistant." "What!?" I exclaimed in disbelief. Christopher was a shy, soft-spoken boy who had been transferred to my school from Bintulu three weeks ago. It was difficult to associate him with the perverted deed.I was also baffled by one more thing. Why was he in the shopping mall? He should have been in the stadium by now. The break time was almost over. When I voiced out my doubt upon the validity of the case, the Principal asked me not to waste any time and rush to Bintang Jaya soon as I could. He sounded unusually impatie...

My students had a hard time memorizing the script that I had previously blogged about. So, I wrote a new one which is much easier to be memorized. However, I find it a tad too tacky.It also contains very few English words. Title: Let's go and eat All :(Let’s go and eat, let’s go and eat, let’s go and eat, let’s go and eat!) Individual girl: Mr. Edward, welcome to Miri, have you eaten? Individual boy: No, I haven’t. I am hungry now. Individual girl:Hungry? Individual boy: Yes, I am starved! Individual girl:Poor Mr. Edward, there are many yummy foods in Miri. Individual boy:What are they? Individual girl:They are: All: Hot and fragrant Nasi Lemak! Hot and piquant Laksa Sarawak! Fried Koay Tiaw! Fried Noodles! Slurpy soup Noodles! Wantan Noodles! Crispy and flaky Roti Canai! Martabak! Crunchy and savoury Rojak! Individual boy:Wow, they sound mouth-wateringly-delicious! Individual girl:Mr. Edward, many traditional cakes can also be found in Miri. Individual bo...

I wrote a script for my school's choral speaking team. Though the script is long, it is a slapdash, amateurish work(quoted from a colleague). I did not give much thought to grammar and choice of words.It could have been better if I had seek the advice from others.Mmmm, I wonder if my students can memorize it. It was a fine Friday morning. The Sun was shining above the horizon. It stirred every slumbering soul awake with its balmy rays. The fronds of tall coconut trees were waving gracefully in harmony with the rhythm of a gentle breeze. Sounds of lapping waves could be heard in the distance. Every bird on the banyan tree in front of a wooden, stilted house was singing. They were happy and animated. They told each other about a good news in their mellifluous song: “ Listen , the great moment is coming, It is coming all the way for you and me, Regardless of our race, colour, creed, religion and origin, It will free us from all chains and tethers, And fill our lives with...

Last Wednesday, a colleague and I had a falling out over the proper usage of two words. I have a habit of asking the colleague to proofread any model compositions I have written for my students. When we are certain that a writing is error-free, I will ask my students to copy it into their exercise books. That morning, I seek her advice as usual. She scanned through the paper and returned it to me after scribbling something on it. I glanced over the composition and found two words had been underlined as incorrect. They were: * He wanted to go there for recreational purposes . * He was running through the rain. Surprised and confused, I asked her to explain why the words were wrong. " The first one should be 'He wanted to go there for recreational purpose while the second one should be He was running in the rain." "But I am sure both words are correctly used!" I remonstrated. "No, you do not show the correct subject and verb agreeme...

Two days ago, YB Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr. Chan Hong Nam, Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak visited my school. His arrival was welcomed with pomp and gaiety. Also present were some top echelons of the civil service. All the welcoming performances by students were spectacular. They showcased an eclectic mix of style and talent: The marching band belted out adrenalin-pumping music with verve. The Kompang or frame drum troupe infused more animation into the occasion with their cheerful drum ensemble. Pretty dancers swayed and turned their slim bodies to every beat and rhythm of beautiful Iban traditional music.Their graceful motion was liquid and mesmerizing. The visiting dignitary and his men clapped their hands in acknowledgment of the brilliant performances. Then, he shook hands with the Principal and the teachers. He exuded incomparable dignity, amiability and flamboyance. After that, everyone proceeded to the ornately-decorated conference room. The Deputy Chief Minister was invite...