Utopia

There's this water fountain by the ticketing booth at Bugis Junction, that brings me close to home. Jess says that the best thing about it is that kids of every race are playing in it. I find the energy that generates from such uninhibited expressions of joy very contagious. Everyone is smiling and laughing at them and at themselves. You can see their minds being enveloped by a familiar taste of youth.

And while we run for cover at the slightest rain drops, they just didnt care at all. And some parents fret at the nano terms of dirt, I suppose these are the kids that do have a childhood. I am one of the lucky ones too. I played police and thief at my grandma's place at Balestier, those two room flats that have lifts on certain floors. We came back as tarred as miners but we didnt care. We played in the rain, caught fish in canals. We had kite wars with kids from the other blocks. The stage was awesome, the skies were filled up with kites and at the end of the day, only a few would still be seen soaring, while the concrete park below was filled up with casualties.

And in today's papers, an article about school's ranking and how valued they were was on full parade. There were, of course, the usual aggregates, facilities offered and what kind of awards they won. I was looking out for a school that does social welfare. Hows that for character development? The system wants kids to have a moral balance. I know how we did it. Grade them on moral education. Yes go ahead, wear that snigger. We all should. And how about teaching creativity. To me the term "teaching creativity" is an oxymoron at its best. Cultivate is the word. If anyone knows, survival and creativity go well hand in hand. You WILL become creative if it means to survive. You WILL look for a way to crack open that coconut. You WILL teach yourself to hunt. My uncle doesnt even have O levels but he can fix up ur refrigerator or the air conditioning which he, by the way, doesnt have that kind of luxury. And I have degree holders, uppers and scholars who cant operate a hi-fi set, or even read the sign that says "Please keep door shut" What does it mean in today's terms to be a person of value?.......Really?

I am glad we are opening up somewhat. Based on the squeals of laughter felt by the water fountain, I am comforted by the warm confidence of these kids and how bright their future can be. Unless we kill them all, with the world that is now. I am glad my mom let me run free. I had that kampung spirit from her, playing in canals and looking for secret paths in my neighbourhood. Riding a bike down a hill at full speed and ramming into a road divider. Stealing my dad's car for a drive when I was 15. I dont suppose she was that stupid but boys will be boys. And kids will be kids. We need to unlearn everything to learn again. They are the wisest among us all. No mask to wear, no prejudice, no agendas. Everyday is just as fun as tomorrow. What did we lose as we walked? The answer is easy. It can be easy. But we choose to complicate it.