Continuous Writing (Picture) - Slipped on a banana peel

Gary was on his way home from the provision shop. His mother had sent him to buy some daily essentials. He added bananas, his favourite fruit, to the shopping list. Whistling a happy tune, he trotted on the pavement, flicking banana peels along the way.

His act was one that many would frown upon. To Gary, he did not really think much about littering. After all, there was no trash can in sight. He was munching on what might be his fifth banana for the day when suddenly, he heard a loud thud behind him.

Curious, he swiveled his neck and saw the grave consequence of his inconsiderate deed. An old woman had slipped on a banana peel, groaning in pain. It was only then that a strong wave of regrets swept through Gary. He knew he was in hot soup for causing the infamously unreasonable woman in the neighbourhood to fall.

"Oh my god! Why must it be her?" Gary muttered under his breath, his heart in his mouth.

He knew he would get into hotter soup if he fled because Ah Soh knew him by his name. Apprehensively, he approached Ah Soh who was gritting her teeth in agony. If the fall was not that hard, Ah Soh's vicious cursing and swearing would have been hurled incessantly in the air.



Ah Soh's face winced in excruciating pain. The impact of the fall seemed too great for her minute build to take.

"Are... are you... you... ok?" Gary stuttered, stretching his trembling hand to pat on Ah Soh's shoulder.

Ah Soh looked up. Gary was startled by her ashen white face. Gary was at a loss. He felt guilty, terribly guilty. He was paralysed to the spot and did not know what to do next.

Much to his relief, a passer-by who saw their plight came to the rescue. Gary briefly explained what had happened. The kind passer-by examined Ah Soh. Finding no open wounds or bruises, he gingerly lifted Ah Soh up from the ground.

"Do you think you can walk?" the kind soul asked. Ah Soh only managed a nod.

"Little Boy, let me take care of Ah Soh. You do the necessary here," he said in a voice so gentle yet commanding. Gary watched the duo receding in the distance. Quickly, he traced back his path and picked up all the banana peels. It dawned on him that though it was true there was no trash can in sight, it did not give him the right to litter. It was naïve of him to think little of his behaviour.

After putting in all the peels in a plastic bag, Gary walked home with a heavy heart. How he wished he could turn back time to undo his actions!



Picture to be uploaded later...