|
|
| |
|
How a Tragedy Brought a Community Together |
|
|
Anybody who walked past Mrs. Tan's unit along the corridor would snort in
disgust at the neglected clutter that was strewn by the side. The narrow walkway
was an eyesore. Despite countless requests from the neighbors, the obstinate
Mrs. Tan bickered with them instead of heeding their pleas! It was no wonder the
middle-aged spinster had no friends in her neighborhood.
The more aggressive neighbors had resorted to disposing the mess without
informing her, but that led to more squabbles from the unreasonable woman. The
last fight had her whacking Mr. Lim with a broom, and the police had to be
summoned! Such was life with this inconsiderate and selfish neighbor that the
rest could only lament and grouse among themselves.
However, that day would soon come when Mrs. Tan would learn her lesson and
appreciate her neighbors.
The visitor sauntered along the cluttered corridor. Holding a cigarette between
his fingers, he flicked away the ashes as the smoke wafted from his nostrils and
mouth. Taking a final puff, he then flung the cigarette butt behind him. It
landed onto some discarded cardboards. The black spot on the topmost cardboard
expanded into a hole as soon as the lighted cigarette butt touched it. Soon, the
flame grew into a menacing blaze that spread quickly. Passers-by on the ground
floor caught sight of black billowing smoke from the eighth-floor corridor.
A woman with a toddler in tow pointed at the blaze and shrieked shrilly, "Fire!"
A string of screams and shouts followed, attracting the attention of the
residents in the block. The horrifying sight of the raging blaze greeted Mrs.
Tan's neighbors when they rushed over to the scene. Without a moment of
hesitation, the quick-thinking neighbors were galvanized into prompt action.
While the fire brigade was summoned, the rest rushed into their houses and out
with pails of water and damp blankets. With the continuous pouring of water and
the frantic slapping of the wet blankets, the fire was contained and completely
doused when the firemen arrived.
At the end of the heart-stopping episode, the corridor was badly charred but
much to everyone's relief, Mrs. Tan and her immediate neighbors' houses were
unscathed. When the obstinate lady returned, she was taken aback by the
horrifying scene. The ashamed woman was chastened by her neighbors' action. The
remorseful Mrs. Tan has never left any clutter outside her apartment since. The
incident brought the community together, and they realized that they could count
on each other in times of crisis. |
|
|
|
|
| |
Sponsored Links
|
|
|
|
