Friday, December 24, 2010

姐姐带弟弟买鞋记 - KAKAK BELI KASUT UNTUK ADIK (PART 1)



PART 1 : 塞翁失马,焉知祸福?Blessing In Disguise vs. Calm Before Storm?
It’s sometimes a chain effect. Usually, after an event happened, it will lead to another event to happen – sometimes a series of incidents. And yet, most of the time, we can’t tell, only time will tell, if the forthcoming events are going to be good or bad for us.

Sometimes when all things seems merry and wonderful, a dreadful disaster is lurking behind; sometimes, when it just seems like nothing will go right, then it pops out to be a blessing in disguise. You got that feeling?

There’s an ancient Chinese story which describe this scenario : 塞翁失马,焉知祸福. Those who had studied Chinese language would understand this proverb. For those never heard of it, it would be my pleasure if I am the first person to tell this story. This is not a Disney-themed story, but I find the story interesting.

ONCE UPON A TIME ( most stories started like this… ) LONG TIME AGO IN ANCIENT CHINA, there was a man called Sai-Weng (塞翁).

There was one day, Sai-Weng got some extra money, most probably the company he worked for declared some year-end bonus. He decided to go shopping to spend it, he though, if he didn’t spend it, then after his death the money would be of no use (反正死了也带不去。).

He decided to go shopping, his favourite pastime. Unfortunately during that time, iPhone4 and Levi’s was not yet available. In fact, during that time, places like tHe Spring or Suria KLCC was not yet available too. So Sai-Weng went to a market.

At the market, his eye caught a sturdy looking horse on mega-sale. At first sight, he already liked the horse. Without hesitate, he purchased the horse. It was like “Killing two bird with a stone” kinda feeling, not only he got himself a new pet; he also got himself a brand new “car”. During those times, horses were a mode of transport, the only difference was they were not given brand names such as Toyota, Honda etc.

1) GOOD NEWS : Sai-Weng bought a horse he liked during shopping.
As a responsible master, Sai-Weng provided good shelter and good food to the horse. The horse was grateful for not having a abusive master, as during that time there were no SPCA or governmental regulation regarding prevention of cruelty to animals. Just when things started to look beautiful, the horse started to do some reflection on his life. The horse began to feel lonely (horses had heart) and also horny (horses had hormones too). To make things worse, horses only have legs, they don’t have hands to DIY. And horses can’t bend their body to lick “that part” just like cats and dogs do.

The horse’s loneliness and horny issue were neglected by Sai-Weng. The horse have plenty of free time to ponder and reflect : “I am so handsome; so much sexual prowess. Am I going to let my youth dwindle away like that? I WILL REGRET!!! I must do something to change my life.”. At the same time, the horse struggled with the dilemma of abandoning his good master. The horse was troubled by guilt.

Anyway, the horse eventually made the hard decision. He leapt, over the bars, and break free from the stable on one quiet night. Without looking back, he fled into darkness on that quiet night. The next morning, Sai-Weng were a bit upset, when he lost his pet and car.




2) BAD NEWS : When everything seems all right, Sai-Weng suddenly lost his horse. His joyful mood of the purchase was marred. He began to feel he had wasted his year-end bonus.One evening, Sai-Weng saw two dots from afar. The two dots grew bigger as they move closer to Sai-Weng. The sounds of giant feet thumping the ground grew stronger. Sai-Weng was not sure what was happening. Until the two objects got closer and became discernible, he leapt out of joy. The horse he though he lost is back, and this time the horse brings back a horse-girlfriend. The horses galloping at high speed, then nudge Sai-Weng (the horse learn this from cat rubbing against human feet). Sai-Weng was so happy, and repeated patted the horses with affection.

The horse said to Sai-Weng : “幸好回来不会迷路,外面找吃真不容易!” . Too bad human cannot understand horse language.

3) GOOD NEWS : Just when he though he lost a horse, now he got two horses, for free.
Sai-Weng decided to give the new horse (the female one) to his son because his son already reach the age of 18. He though, providing his son a horse may potentially help his son to find a girlfriend. However, Sai-Weng’s son was not so mature. Sai-Weng’s son tried to imitate those horseback stunts he watched at circus.

One day, Sai-Weng’s son fell from the horse and broke his leg. It was a painful experience, because during that time there were no Orthopaedic Specialist, not even a Hospital was available. It must be a painful experience! Oh, painkillers during that was not so efficient too.

4) BAD NEWS : Sai-Weng though he got a free horse; it was that free horse that causes his son to endure the torment of broken legs. Soon, war broke out. The armies went to every household and grabbed all able young men, and train them to fight in the battlefield. Sai-Weng’s son was rejected by the armies because he only had one leg.

It was a dreadful war, and most of the young men who joined the war were killed in the line of fire. Sai-Weng’s son was saved by his broken leg! Thanks to the free horse who made him fell from horseback!

5) GOOD NEWS : Who could have though a miserable event such as broken leg can saved a person’s life? Blessing does comes in disguise.