The World of Tai Tai

“Why was I chosen as the chief referee for shot put?” I kept asking myself in sheer incredulity. I had learned of the appointment during the most recent staff meeting.   My school would co-organize an interschool athletics meet with a neighboring school and more than half of our staff would be refereeing the event.   The other half would proctor examinations, because the athletics meet coincided with our semester examinations.                 I had never considered myself as suitable for the job.   For one thing, I knew nothing about shot put.   For another, I had never been appointed as a referee before.   It was almost certain that I would botch the job.   Besides, my body was not fit to undertake such a responsibility.   I was convalescing from a fever and the prospect of having to work in the hot sun for four consecutive days filled me with dread.  ...

“Why was I chosen as the chief referee for shot put?” I kept asking myself in sheer incredulity. I learnt of the appointment during the most recent staff meeting.   My school would co-organize an interschool athletics meet with a neighbouring school and more than half of our school staff would be involved in the job of refereeing.   The other half would invigilate examinations because the athletics meet coincided with our semester examinations.                 I had never thought myself suited for the job.   For one thing, I knew nothing of shot put.   For another, I had never been appointed as a referee before.   It was almost a certainty that I would botch my job.   Besides, my body was not fit to undertake such a responsibility.   I was convalescing from a fever and the prospect of having to work in the hot sun for four consecutive days filled me with dread.  ...

I am upset by the attitude of some of my colleagues.  They always talk rudely to me, as if I am not their equal.  I feel out of place among them.  I shun their haughtiness.  I don't seek their friendship because they like to gossip about others.  In their eyes, I am an incompetent teacher who does not hold a candle to their proficiency.