Page 7 - Stories from our Grandparents

Mr Tan Ah Kau BORN 1934 verything was loud - ingapore used to be such a free and non-judgmental country that

Bukit Batok Secondary School
By Wong Le Yi Loud sirens, shouting children could leave their homes with or without clothes. We could
in dialect and then,
do whatever we wanted and only be called back home at night to
Eroars of engines were Shave dinner. I remember my siblings and I doing things like fishing
heard from above us. in the drain or going tree climbing whenever we wanted something to eat.
We ran outside, both my sister and I carrying one younger brother
each while my other sister stood beside us, her eyes wary and afraid. We were also not that closely One very memorable thing when
watched because we would always we were young was the fact that
“Japanese,” my oldest sister whispered in dialect, shakily. Our eyes drifted travel in large groups considering we did not have to worry about
to our leader of the kampong who gestured in a frantic manner, instructing each household had around 8 to 10 our studies. Back then, only the
us with a sharp tone for us to stay in our houses and be quiet. We ran inside children. The older siblings would boys would attend school because
immediately, pushing worn out furniture away to expose the dirt covered always care for the younger ones households could not afford having
grounds, getting out metal tools and digging a spacious hole. especially girls. The clothes worn both boys and girls attending
by the older siblings would also school. Some students could
My sister demonstrated to me before handling me the tools and always tend to be passed down to only attend school when they
proceeded to dig a separate hole. My heart thumped ferociously
against my ribcage as I forced my numb hands to move. I pushed my the younger siblings whenever they were around the age of 10 to 13
messy uncut hair away from my eyes, ever so glancing at my sisters outgrow it. Back then, children were because they were unable to afford
always easier to care for as their
education. I particularly remember
and my two younger brothers who were surprisingly silent as if they immune systems were stronger and one of my classmates that was
knew what was happening.
they would not fall sick easily even if already married by the time he
they get caught in the rain. started primary school.
I ignored the pain and soreness in my
knees as I moved on to working on the next Back then, children of my age did
hole, only to be interrupted by a deafening not have the luxury of watching
explosion. Bombs. Everywhere. However, television programs whenever they
want to like children could today.
we had other
We were swept off our knees, collapsing roughly against the
dirt, our breathing cut off suddenly. Vibrations were felt as the amenities like outdoor cinemas
ground absorbed the impact of the bombs that rained down on us where almost everyone in the area would
mercilessly. “Please don’t let me die...” I thought fearfully, my head sit in the open field and watch a programme on a
hurting and the skin on my limbs sore and raw.
huge screen. That was definitely one of my fondest
We hid in the holes for what seemed like hours. I could memories and something I wish that still exists
hear many things. The uniform marching of soldiers above in modern Singapore.
us, gunshots, and cries. Cries for help, cries of pain, cries of
torture and cries of death. Please God. Please end it all.
Mr Ong Ah Seng
BORN 1938

By Zenthe Ong Zi Wi
Grandpa Stories
6 Grandpa Stories Bukit Batok Secondary School 7