Weave a story - A pickpocket on the MRT

I was taking the MRT home. As usual, the peak hours packed us like sardines inside the train. Everyone was returning home from work. With nothing much to do, I began observing the other commuters in the train. Some of them were fiddling with their cell phones, some were talking to their friends and some had even dozed off. Right in front of me was a fellow woman commuter, dozing off, dressed to the nines and wearing lots of jewellery. She was also carrying a very elegant handbag.

At the next station, some commuters alighted and others boarded the train. Among them, a man whose forehead bore a red scar stood out. He was jostling his way through the crowd in an unruly manner. I frowned. He was acting suspiciously and his eyes were roving around.

Just then, he caught sight of the well-dressed woman. His eyes shone like stars when he saw her wallet sticking out from the half-zipped bag. The suspicious-looking man was totally unaware of me watching him and I could not help thinking that he was up to no good.

Next, the suspicious-looking man took another step towards the woman. He looked around to make sure no one was looking. Stealthily, he went closer to the woman and slipped his hand into her handbag. Very easily, he pilfered the wallet. Upon seeing this, I immediately shouted at the top of my lungs, "Pickpocket!”

Everyone, including the woman, was startled. The pickpocket tried to flee but two quick-thinking young men grabbed the pickpocket’s arm and pinned him to a nearby seat. Another lady pressed the emergency communication button and alerted the train operator about what had happened.

As the train neared the next station, the pickpocket knew he was done for and hung his head in shame.


Contributed by Belinda Ao
Class of 6-9 2009