I remembered the days when I was a young boy helping my family selling vegetables in the marketplace.
People during those days were simple, straightforward and a lot less quarrelsome.
Sincerity, honesty, integrity, diligence, thrift, humility and harmony meant a great deal during those early years of my life.
We woke up early at 3 a.m, cleaned up, had a hot drink, dared the cold wind and sometimes rain or thunderstorm, and moved fast through the rubber garden to the marketplace.
We walked along the narrow trail; it was a luxury to own a bicycle or a motorbike.
We usually arrived at the marketplace by 3.30 a.m.
Then the daily routine of cutting, peeling and rinsing the vegetables, making sure that they looked really clean, presentable and fresh.
Then we arranged them orderly and nicely on the stall so that transactions could be done more efficiently and effectively.
Business started early and we had to be ready before 5 a.m. when some customers would arrive. During festivals, we had to start business as early as 4 a.m.
Then I started to clean up, had a bath, and put on school uniform.... I had to get ready for school.
Some of us started to entertain our clients... and we took turn to have our breakfast.
We were taught from small the importance of eye contacts, sweet talks, good service, honesty, patience, constant smile etc. to draw the attention of our customers. .... We had ample practices, self-evaluations, and discussions since small.
By 10 minutes to 7 a.m., I had to rush for school.
I loved my studies and I worked hard.
By 1.00 in the afternoon, I was back to the marketplace.
I had my bath and ate my lunch.
Then I did my homework and my revisions while serving my customers.
By 5.00 in the evening, I got ready to go home.....
During weekends, I brought vegetables in bundles and sold them in the nearby villages.
We were taught to earn our own pocket money rather than asking from our parents....
*******
Looking back, I have no regrets and I don't blame fate.
I don't have to compare with others.
I take things as they come, and I am always ready for them.
Like the saying goes, "When the going gets tough, the tough gets going".
I smile heartily and take a sip of my Nescafe.
It is a nice, bright and shiny day out there..........
People during those days were simple, straightforward and a lot less quarrelsome.
Sincerity, honesty, integrity, diligence, thrift, humility and harmony meant a great deal during those early years of my life.
We woke up early at 3 a.m, cleaned up, had a hot drink, dared the cold wind and sometimes rain or thunderstorm, and moved fast through the rubber garden to the marketplace.
We walked along the narrow trail; it was a luxury to own a bicycle or a motorbike.
We usually arrived at the marketplace by 3.30 a.m.
Then the daily routine of cutting, peeling and rinsing the vegetables, making sure that they looked really clean, presentable and fresh.
Then we arranged them orderly and nicely on the stall so that transactions could be done more efficiently and effectively.
Business started early and we had to be ready before 5 a.m. when some customers would arrive. During festivals, we had to start business as early as 4 a.m.
Then I started to clean up, had a bath, and put on school uniform.... I had to get ready for school.
Some of us started to entertain our clients... and we took turn to have our breakfast.
We were taught from small the importance of eye contacts, sweet talks, good service, honesty, patience, constant smile etc. to draw the attention of our customers. .... We had ample practices, self-evaluations, and discussions since small.
By 10 minutes to 7 a.m., I had to rush for school.
I loved my studies and I worked hard.
By 1.00 in the afternoon, I was back to the marketplace.
I had my bath and ate my lunch.
Then I did my homework and my revisions while serving my customers.
By 5.00 in the evening, I got ready to go home.....
During weekends, I brought vegetables in bundles and sold them in the nearby villages.
We were taught to earn our own pocket money rather than asking from our parents....
*******
Looking back, I have no regrets and I don't blame fate.
I don't have to compare with others.
I take things as they come, and I am always ready for them.
Like the saying goes, "When the going gets tough, the tough gets going".
I smile heartily and take a sip of my Nescafe.
It is a nice, bright and shiny day out there..........
2 comments:
My guess is that you are very rich through this experience! Here in the USA, kids are way too pampered. Unfortunately, it is too late before both they and their parents realize that they would have been a lot better off with more work and less things.
I'm sure your experiences has taught you a lot. Sometimes, its heartbreaking to see others taking things for granted when we were taught from young the value of it. However, this same things are probably the one that makes us better than those people. Your experiences are much valuable than any money in the world. :)
Post a Comment