Good deeds are always infectious. We look up to someone and we follow - by M.K.

Chosen Topic:

Pay It Forward

Consolation Prize - A08

By M.K., a NITEC student-inmate from Institution B5

“Uncle K, someone stole my shoes!”

This isn’t happening, I almost thought nephew Danish was rehearsing for his drama script when he uttered those words. It was up to this time that his younger sister Dania, joined in the conversation.

“Uncle… why do people steal shoes?” she asked. This is the kind of problem that I intend to avoid in dealing with kids. Those precocious little creatures would ask penetrative and inquisitive questions on why this, and why that, which I always have a fear of facing. Danish, is already 12. He understands. But for Dania, I need to explain and create a lie so as not to corrupt her naivety and innocence. She is too precocious for a 4-year-old.

As always, I have an answer for everything and every enquiry. As a father figure, I try to impart the understanding and behaviour that every cultured person need to conform in order to be respected. Etiquettes like not to interrupt when adults are talking, or why we shouldn’t waste food when the world is facing famine crisis or why the tooth-fairy will leave a dollar under your pillow in exchange for your tooth. (Okay, I made that up). “Tooth-fairy borrow for a day, lah. Tomorrow she put back. That’s why tooth-fairy leave abang her pair.” I lied. Almost instantaneous I created a narrative. There is a reason for this you know. And these understandings will only come at a certain time we realise its meaning.

The reason is this. I used to steal too. Shoes. We used to be poor. Not Oliver Twisteresque poor, but still what you call it ‘unable to buy at one’s disposal’. We lived in a ‘ghetto’ until my parents worked hard enough to buy for themselves a new, bigger flat up north. During these ‘rough’ years, I always conform to the idea that since we are poor, we are entitled to steal. Obviously, that did not come from my parents. They are honest, hard-working people. They will definitely ‘Murder’ me if they know that I steal.

This self-realization and dire loathing of such acts came about until I come to encounter and ascribe to an elevated understanding. Till David and Sarah came along. These two angels.

David and Sarah are husband and wife. David, who is at that point in his 30’s, would organize, voluntarily football practices at Bishan park on Saturdays. They are actually well from a different, well-to-do class from us, but they had a penchant to provide and guide us “ghetto” kids. Free footballs, jerseys, cover for goalposts and meals too. At that point of time, I do not understand why they would bother helping us. They even bought for us football boots. So, every week, I will look forward for Saturday because it’s the best day of the week. Back then, when they give me a pair of boots, I feel happy and content. But now, reaching adulthood, then I understand why they are doing this voluntary work and thinking back, makes me emotional.

These days, I organize football practice too. Most of the kids are Danish’s friends, some well, ‘ghetto’ kids too who get to know what I do. I will do the same thing David and Sarah did, just to understand why. Now I know the reason.

You see, David never talks about himself. He just acts. He will teach us the proper way to kick the ball, the proper way to think on the field and the mentality to have to win games. He is someone that I looked up to when I was a kid and to commemorate his gracious deeds, I merely followed in his footsteps. That is the deepest knowledge that someone has imparted and passed on to me. Indirectly, I am not disheartened if Danish or Dania didn’t understand now, because I know someday, they will. I believed that, amongst the bunch of kids I had coached footballing, definitely 3 or 4 kids will grow up and understand what David is trying to show us.

I never saw Davis and Sarah again after my family moved up north. I cannot even remember how they look like now. But I can assure you that their deeds are forever etched in my mind. People who inspire others. We live in a cycle where deeds affects others.

Readers, I am not Mother Teresa, but just merely carrying on a tradition. It’s called ‘Pay It Forward’. Good deeds are always infectious. We look up to someone and we follow.

That’s how the way our world should work. As for now, I will leave it to you guys to figure out the rest. In the meantime, I am trying my best to cook up a lie for Dania that ‘nobody’ steals Danish shoes. Of course, I will need to buy a new pair from him!