Page 45 - Stories from our Grandparents

“I’m getting scared. What if it’s a ghost? Should we In those days, everyone was very bonded. As time passed, many
go back?” Meng Li exclaimed while shivering in fear. I thing changed and technology also advanced very quickly. My
laughed at him, it was the first time seeing him so afraid. village was eventually demolished and we moved to different
We shouted Benjamin’s name once again, but suddenly, housing blocks. I lost contact with many of my friends and I
there was a loud thump. hope that they are well. With the arrival of technology such as
smartphones and computers today, nobody wants to leave their
“I want to go home!” Meng Li was houses to talk to their neighbours anymore. My children are
sweating and he was so scared addicted to social media. Their eyes would be glued to their
that he had peed in his pants. I was phones. It is a rare occurrence to see the younger generation
shocked, but I had to venture on. The hanging out together without using their phones.
thumps continued; as I followed the sounds, I could
hear some light whispers. “Benjamin? Is that you?” I asked. I dearly hope that everyone could express themselves face-to-face rather
I opened one of the boxes and found Benjamin with a pale than being glued to their phones. They could take the lives of my friends
face. He was having trouble breathing. I immediately helped and I as examples; we did not have any advanced technology with us then.
him up and asked Meng Li to help me. “What happened We only had each other to entertain and grow up with.
to you?” I asked Benjamin. He could not say anything, but
I could see that he was terrified although he was trying to I hope that Singaporeans would be more bonded with each other,
respond to our questions. especially in times of crisis. If we do not support one another, who
would? We should learn to appreciate what we have now, cherish
When we reached Benjamin’s house, everyone was the times we spend with everyone, we will never know when the
gathered outside trying to console his mother. “Auntie Ling! next time we will see them again, just like what happened to me
Benjamin is back!” I shouted as loudly as I could. As Auntie and my friends.
Ling turned around, she cried and ran towards Benjamin
to give him a big hug. Everyone clapped for my group of We will hand over this nation
friends and commended us for our efforts. As I received all to the younger generation one
the praises and commendations, I was also very touched by day; they should learn from our
the teamwork of the village. A missing person could activate past experiences and create a
everyone to search for him.
better tomorrow.

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