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Ah Keong used to be the naughtiest boy in our class—perhaps even
the entire school. He was always getting into trouble with prefects and
teachers. Prefects kept their distance, and teachers struggled to keep him in
line.
He was nothing short of destructive. Not a single windowpane in our classroom
remained intact; Ah Keong had broken them all. In one corner of the room, a pile
of smashed desks and chairs stood as proof of his mischief. Even being caned in
front of the whole school—twice—didn't seem to affect him. I was certain he
would be expelled if he continued down that path.
Then, something unexpected happened. Ah Keong's mother passed away. He didn’t
come to school for a week. When he finally returned, I almost didn’t recognize
him. At first glance, I thought he was a new student—he was neatly dressed, hair
combed, and looked completely different.
But it wasn’t just his appearance that changed—his behavior had transformed as
well. He became the most well-behaved boy in class. Gone were the days of broken
furniture and troublemaking. The teachers and prefects were stunned, but quietly
relieved.
It was like witnessing a miracle. One day, Ah Keong confided in me. He told me
it was his mother’s death that changed him. Before she died, he realized how
terribly he had behaved, and he promised her at her deathbed that he would turn
his life around. It was a promise he had kept.
I’m truly happy for him. Ah Keong is now a joy to be around—and one of my
closest friends. |
