micro memoir

A Glass of Water

On the morning she left, a glass of water came first. Seven-year-old Pei Ming carried it carefully to his mother and said softly, "Mummy, drink some water."

The small act of kindness shattered Kong Xiu Ping's composure.

Pulling him into a tight embrace, she fought back tears as she repeated the same words again and again: "Study hard. Listen to others. Be good."

When the welfare home's van finally pulled away, Pei Ming turned back for one last wave, while his mother stood motionless, watching until both the vehicle and her son disappeared from sight.

One Step from Disaster

When I was studying at Playfair Primary School, I had to cross the road near the junction of Paya Lebar Road and Airport Road. One day, I stepped off the central divider without paying attention. A lorry whizzed past my face, inches from my nose. Had I taken one more

The Empty Gate

Every afternoon after school, our mongrel would wait behind the metal gate. The moment he heard my bicycle bell, he would jump up and wag his tail so hard his whole body seemed to bend with it. One rainy week, I came home and the gate was empty. I parked

The Samsui Woman's Advice

When I was 16 and waiting for my O-Level results, I worked for a few months for my brother-in-law, who ran a small construction company. I drilled concrete floors until my whole body shook from the vibration. I used a grinder to smooth the edges of window

Be Someone

The elders always said, "Strive to become someone." Otherwise, you will be a nobody. After sixty years of trying to become someone, I finally became myself.

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One Step from Disaster

The Empty Gate

The Samsui Woman's Advice

Be Someone