Thursday, February 17, 2005
The Camel
This is the story of the camel. This camel was living in the desert outside its master’s tent. One cold night, the camel poked his head into the tent and asked the master whether he could put his head into the tent. Sensing that the weather was rather cold outside, the master agreed. After a while, the camel again requested the master whether he could put his neck inside the tent, as his neck is freezing cold. The master thought to himself. Since the camel’s head was already inside the tent, what is the difference if the neck was also inside? So the master agreed. Now the camel is ready comfortable and decided to push the whole body inside and the whole tent collapsed.
The story of the camel is now repeated in the office next door. This office next to ours used to house the project management section. It was a newly designed office complete with washrooms, showers kitchen, meal room and laundry room. One day the manager from maintenance section saw it and requested that whether he was able to take up a few empty desks for his staff who had no proper office accommodation. The manager of the project management section agreed. Soon after, staff of the maintenance section took up any vacant desk. Now, any project management staff returning from their postings is unable to get back his/her original office space and had to look for accommodation elsewhere.
From my personal experience, once I was trying to be helpful by assisting a woman and a child to locate an item from a supermarket shelf. Suddenly the woman’s husband appeared from nowhere and started abusing me verbally for offering my help. On another occasion, a woman on wheel chair was having difficulty pushing her wheel chair up a ramp. When I approach to offer my help, she declined in a rather impolite manner. Over time, I have learned not to be too generous in offering help to others, unless requested.
Unfortunately, this is the cruel fact of the society. Be it the office affairs or everyday lives, one take advantage of the kindness of another. Eventually, people hardened themselves and refrain from helping others.
Are we taking advantage of others kindness? Should we blame others when help was not offered when needed?
The story of the camel is now repeated in the office next door. This office next to ours used to house the project management section. It was a newly designed office complete with washrooms, showers kitchen, meal room and laundry room. One day the manager from maintenance section saw it and requested that whether he was able to take up a few empty desks for his staff who had no proper office accommodation. The manager of the project management section agreed. Soon after, staff of the maintenance section took up any vacant desk. Now, any project management staff returning from their postings is unable to get back his/her original office space and had to look for accommodation elsewhere.
From my personal experience, once I was trying to be helpful by assisting a woman and a child to locate an item from a supermarket shelf. Suddenly the woman’s husband appeared from nowhere and started abusing me verbally for offering my help. On another occasion, a woman on wheel chair was having difficulty pushing her wheel chair up a ramp. When I approach to offer my help, she declined in a rather impolite manner. Over time, I have learned not to be too generous in offering help to others, unless requested.
Unfortunately, this is the cruel fact of the society. Be it the office affairs or everyday lives, one take advantage of the kindness of another. Eventually, people hardened themselves and refrain from helping others.
Are we taking advantage of others kindness? Should we blame others when help was not offered when needed?
Friday, February 04, 2005
Chinese New Year
Next Wednesday 9 February 2005 is the Chinese New Year. This is the most significant festival for ethnic Chinese around the world. It is a very joyous occasion when people take a break from work to be with their families.
The origin of the Chinese New Year Festival can be traced back thousands of years. It was said that once upon a time, there was a ferocious beast called Nian. Nian would come out of the forest every year to kill and devour people on New Year's Eve. The people then discovered that Nian was afraid of fire and red colour. So to keep Nian away, the villagers pasted red-papers doors, lit up torches and hit on drums whole night to make loud noises. On the following morning, the people congratulated each other for surviving the Nian attack. Time has passed, but the legend remains.
Each Chinese New Year is symbolised by an animal. There are a total of 12 animal symbols. This coming new year, the lucky animal symbol is the Rooster.
May the crow of the Rooster bring calm to the troubled, hope for the desperate, and enhance aspirations of all.
The origin of the Chinese New Year Festival can be traced back thousands of years. It was said that once upon a time, there was a ferocious beast called Nian. Nian would come out of the forest every year to kill and devour people on New Year's Eve. The people then discovered that Nian was afraid of fire and red colour. So to keep Nian away, the villagers pasted red-papers doors, lit up torches and hit on drums whole night to make loud noises. On the following morning, the people congratulated each other for surviving the Nian attack. Time has passed, but the legend remains.
Each Chinese New Year is symbolised by an animal. There are a total of 12 animal symbols. This coming new year, the lucky animal symbol is the Rooster.
May the crow of the Rooster bring calm to the troubled, hope for the desperate, and enhance aspirations of all.
