Every now and then in the cold, hard, prison floor, I would recount the events that led a hardworking Primary 6 student like me to being arrested by the police and led away here to this cold and miserable place… …
“What an unlucky day it is today!” I exclaimed to myself. The first thing in the morning, our social studies teacher, Mrs Yu pounded us with torrents of seemingly endless questions onthe transport in the olden days. Next, she gave us a stack of worksheets that I was sure my head would go pop to get the answers.
When I reached home, I settled down to work. I decided to give Mrs Yu a chance so I took out the crumpled worksheets and began to flatten it. At a glance, I knew that it was a feat for me to complete the worksheets. I sank back on my seat, toying the thought of giving up when my personal computer sounded a beep. Frankenstein had sign in on to the Windows Live Mail and sent a message to me.
I enthusiastically clicked on the “open” icon and I read the message. My eyes nearly popped out from my sockets and my mouth opened wide with astonishment.
I had totally forgotten about my Science Test the next day and I had not even done any revision on it. Anxious as an ant on a heated wok. I immediately sent a reply back to Frankenstein for help. Frankenstein sent me a link to a website and assured me it would be of great help to me in Science.
When I read that message, I found my fingers twitching uncontrollably and my fingers itched to type out the address of the webpage. I patiently waited for the webpage to upload and finally, after what seemed like eternity, the webpage finished uploading. I scanned eagerly through the tips provided but I saw the other half of the page missing. I scrolled down the page and found out why the page was missing. Permission was required from the publisher and a code would be sent to them before uploading.
I knew that if I were to get the publisher’s consent to upload, it would be too late and I would flunk my Science Test for sure. On the other hand,I was reluctant to give a slip to the chance of obtaining a pass for the Science Test. I could not afford to fail the test again.
I decided to cut the Gordian knot as I saw precious seconds ticking away. I hacked into the access panel and waited. I accessed the HTML page and made modifications. I waited again.
I rubbed my hands in glee as my hack was successful. I downloaded all I needed and was armed to the teeth to do well for the test the following day.
I grinned in satisfaction after I completed the last question. Pleased with myself, I was all smiles. The grin on my face did not last for long. The police barged into the examination hall, arrested and frog-marched me towards the police station.
I was awakened by a jolt. Two gaolers stood towering above me, with batons in their hands. They released me after serving my sentence and I vowed from that day onwards to observe the guidelines closely.
Contributed by Aw Hwee Hean
Class of 6-9 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Saturday, April 4, 2009
A Warcraft Victim.
My examination would be in a few weeks' time. Determined to improve my grades, I planned to do consistent revision. Just when I was about to browse through my Science textbook, I heard the notification from my computer telling me that my friend had just gone online.
Swiftly, I checked my computer and realized that it was Joan, one of my closer friends.
I immediately responded to Joan. “Hi Joan, shouldn’t you be revising now?”
After a few seconds, Joan replied, “I just found out a really cool game “Warcraft”! I think you should try it out!”
I glanced at my textbook which I was about to revise earlier on. I was in a quandary- should I study or should I play the game?
“Nah, I would just play “Warcraft” for a few minutes and after that I’ll revise,” I assured myself and started typing the website address that Joan had shared with me.
Only ten minutes in the game, I concluded that “cool” was not an apt word to describe the game. “Fascinating” and “addictive” would be much more appropriate.
From the moment I entered the game, I knew that I would be addicted once I played for fifteen minutes. Indeed, after thirty minutes, I could not get my eyes off the computer screen. They were totally stuck to the screen like glue.
Since then, after school, I would play "Warcraft" till the wee hours of the night, paying no attention to schoolwork.
Hours spent on the game turned to days and days turned to weeks. One night when I was completely engrossed in playing “Warcraft”, my mother called out from the living room, "Dear, it’s time you turn in. Don’t you have an examination tomorrow?”
I froze and my eyes widened in shock. “Oh no! I’ve completely forgotten about the examination!” I moaned, slapping my forehead. In a flash, I turned off my computer and jumped to my seat at my desk. I had to burn the midnight oil.
Beads of perspiration formed on my forehead and my stomach churned with anxiety. I scanned through my textbook, trying desperately the impossible task of memorising the concepts in the textbook.
Soon, the clock struck twelve and my eyelids grew heavier and heavier. I stifled a yawn as I flipped the pages feebly, forcing myself to stay awake a little while longer.
The next day, I bent over the desk with my eyes squinting at the words on the page in front of me. “The life cycle of a butterfly starts from an egg, to a pupa, then……” I mumbled as I rubbed my eyes. “I know I studied this last night….”
Frustrated, I threw my pen down on the desk and let out a prodigious yawn. I looked around me and saw that everyone was scribbling down the answers to the test. Just then, I caught sight of Joan's answers while she was flipping her paper. Gingerly, I turned to the correct page and filled in my answers, or rather Joan's answers.
Having done that, I let out a breath of accomplishment. I glanced at the invigilator. She was not looking. Straight away, I adjusted my position, straightened myself to crane over to search for more answers.
“HEY! What are you doing?” a voice thundered. I jumped out from my skin. I spun around and found myself staring at the invigilator, her face livid with fury.
I wanted to explain myself but realised it would be better off not to do so. The invigilator ordered me to follow her to the principal’s office. Hobson’s choice, I trudged towards the principal’s office with a heavy heart, expecting the worse.
Waiting outside the principal’s was the worst moment of my life. Seconds stretched to minutes as time crawled by. Blood drain from my face as I overheard the principal calling up my parents. I knew I had to face the music and I vowed to myself never to spend more than two hours on the computer, ever again.
Contributed by Ao Ming Yi, Belinda
Class of 6-9 2009
Swiftly, I checked my computer and realized that it was Joan, one of my closer friends.
I immediately responded to Joan. “Hi Joan, shouldn’t you be revising now?”
After a few seconds, Joan replied, “I just found out a really cool game “Warcraft”! I think you should try it out!”
I glanced at my textbook which I was about to revise earlier on. I was in a quandary- should I study or should I play the game?
“Nah, I would just play “Warcraft” for a few minutes and after that I’ll revise,” I assured myself and started typing the website address that Joan had shared with me.
Only ten minutes in the game, I concluded that “cool” was not an apt word to describe the game. “Fascinating” and “addictive” would be much more appropriate.
From the moment I entered the game, I knew that I would be addicted once I played for fifteen minutes. Indeed, after thirty minutes, I could not get my eyes off the computer screen. They were totally stuck to the screen like glue.
Since then, after school, I would play "Warcraft" till the wee hours of the night, paying no attention to schoolwork.
Hours spent on the game turned to days and days turned to weeks. One night when I was completely engrossed in playing “Warcraft”, my mother called out from the living room, "Dear, it’s time you turn in. Don’t you have an examination tomorrow?”
I froze and my eyes widened in shock. “Oh no! I’ve completely forgotten about the examination!” I moaned, slapping my forehead. In a flash, I turned off my computer and jumped to my seat at my desk. I had to burn the midnight oil.
Beads of perspiration formed on my forehead and my stomach churned with anxiety. I scanned through my textbook, trying desperately the impossible task of memorising the concepts in the textbook.
Soon, the clock struck twelve and my eyelids grew heavier and heavier. I stifled a yawn as I flipped the pages feebly, forcing myself to stay awake a little while longer.
The next day, I bent over the desk with my eyes squinting at the words on the page in front of me. “The life cycle of a butterfly starts from an egg, to a pupa, then……” I mumbled as I rubbed my eyes. “I know I studied this last night….”
Frustrated, I threw my pen down on the desk and let out a prodigious yawn. I looked around me and saw that everyone was scribbling down the answers to the test. Just then, I caught sight of Joan's answers while she was flipping her paper. Gingerly, I turned to the correct page and filled in my answers, or rather Joan's answers.
Having done that, I let out a breath of accomplishment. I glanced at the invigilator. She was not looking. Straight away, I adjusted my position, straightened myself to crane over to search for more answers.
“HEY! What are you doing?” a voice thundered. I jumped out from my skin. I spun around and found myself staring at the invigilator, her face livid with fury.
I wanted to explain myself but realised it would be better off not to do so. The invigilator ordered me to follow her to the principal’s office. Hobson’s choice, I trudged towards the principal’s office with a heavy heart, expecting the worse.
Waiting outside the principal’s was the worst moment of my life. Seconds stretched to minutes as time crawled by. Blood drain from my face as I overheard the principal calling up my parents. I knew I had to face the music and I vowed to myself never to spend more than two hours on the computer, ever again.
Contributed by Ao Ming Yi, Belinda
Class of 6-9 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Creative-Writing: Tsunami
I was really relieved when it was finally over. That terrifying disaster would be etched in my mind forever. I just could not believe that water could be so terrifying. Right before my very eyes, I witnessed the water forming a huge wall, heading towards the beach. At that very moment, my eyes popped out of the sockets and my heart skipped a beat. Was I going to survive this dreadful tsunami?
Quickly, I spun around and started to flee. I looked around desperately for any high grounds.
At last, I saw hundreds of people gathering on the nearby hill, so, I decided to take refuge there. As fast as I could, I ascended the hill to save my dear life.
Atop, I witnessed the big, huge wave charging towards the town and flooding it. I heard heartrending screams and cries, but all I could do was shed tears for them. There was nothing I could do to help, nothing.
Most of the villagers drowned and died, their bodies were never found.
Hundreds of people were saved from death and injury. I was glad for them as they had saved their lives with their quick thinking.
I thanked God for sparing my life and I would certainly not forget this harrowing experience I had been through.
Contributed by Nadiah Isa
Class of 6-9 2009
Quickly, I spun around and started to flee. I looked around desperately for any high grounds.
At last, I saw hundreds of people gathering on the nearby hill, so, I decided to take refuge there. As fast as I could, I ascended the hill to save my dear life.
Atop, I witnessed the big, huge wave charging towards the town and flooding it. I heard heartrending screams and cries, but all I could do was shed tears for them. There was nothing I could do to help, nothing.
Most of the villagers drowned and died, their bodies were never found.
Hundreds of people were saved from death and injury. I was glad for them as they had saved their lives with their quick thinking.
I thanked God for sparing my life and I would certainly not forget this harrowing experience I had been through.
Contributed by Nadiah Isa
Class of 6-9 2009
Creative-Writing: Plane Crash
A troop of helicopters came hovering above. A sparkle of hope kindled.
After what seemed like eternity, all was not yet lost. Survivors were ferried safely to the ground. The ordeal was over. Hundreds of people were saved from death and injury.
Soon, the ambulance arrived . The paramedics got off the ambulance and rendered first aid to the victims. Tears coursed freely down cheeks. The wrecked aircraft sank into the water. The survivors mourned the loss of innocent lives. Their hearts filled with sorrow.
John and his cousins were saved but John's mother was still missing.
Contributed by Tricia Lim Yun Qi
Class of 6-9 2009
After what seemed like eternity, all was not yet lost. Survivors were ferried safely to the ground. The ordeal was over. Hundreds of people were saved from death and injury.
Soon, the ambulance arrived . The paramedics got off the ambulance and rendered first aid to the victims. Tears coursed freely down cheeks. The wrecked aircraft sank into the water. The survivors mourned the loss of innocent lives. Their hearts filled with sorrow.
John and his cousins were saved but John's mother was still missing.
Contributed by Tricia Lim Yun Qi
Class of 6-9 2009
Creative-Writing: Just in time!
It was the last day of our trip in Indonesia, so my father suggested going to the beach.
We reached the beach. I squealed with excitement, pulling my brother, Kendrick, along with me to collect rare seashells.
Suddenly, many fishes were washed ashore. My blood ran cold in my veins. I could feel terror crawling across my flesh.
“Mum!” I screamed, engulfed with fear.
Kendrick pointed to the dead fishes and explained what happened to her. Knowing what was happening, she immediately informed the appropriate authorities.
After a while, the authorities evacuated everyone from the scene just bfore big waves, height of about 6-storeys high, came crashing onto shore.
Hundreds of people were saved from life or injury.
Contributed by Rodrick Li
Class of 6-9 2009
We reached the beach. I squealed with excitement, pulling my brother, Kendrick, along with me to collect rare seashells.
Suddenly, many fishes were washed ashore. My blood ran cold in my veins. I could feel terror crawling across my flesh.
“Mum!” I screamed, engulfed with fear.
Kendrick pointed to the dead fishes and explained what happened to her. Knowing what was happening, she immediately informed the appropriate authorities.
After a while, the authorities evacuated everyone from the scene just bfore big waves, height of about 6-storeys high, came crashing onto shore.
Hundreds of people were saved from life or injury.
Contributed by Rodrick Li
Class of 6-9 2009
Creative-Writing: A Volcano Eruption
The readings went off the chart.
Suddenly, the ground started shaking. Loud rumblings of the rocks from the mountains were heard. It was a huge landslide! Everyone ran for cover so as not to get hit by the huge boulders. There was no way to go except to the boats. They had to evacuate the island. The mountain people watched as the huge boulders rained on their homes.
Then, without warning, a huge explosion occurred. The volcano erupted, spilling hot lava down the mountain. The eruption killed many lives and wiped out the whole island. Many were left homeless and stranded on tiny boats in the middle of the ocean. They waited days and nights for rescue to arrive. But it never did.
Contributed by Loh Xiao Qi
Class of 6-9 2009
Suddenly, the ground started shaking. Loud rumblings of the rocks from the mountains were heard. It was a huge landslide! Everyone ran for cover so as not to get hit by the huge boulders. There was no way to go except to the boats. They had to evacuate the island. The mountain people watched as the huge boulders rained on their homes.
Then, without warning, a huge explosion occurred. The volcano erupted, spilling hot lava down the mountain. The eruption killed many lives and wiped out the whole island. Many were left homeless and stranded on tiny boats in the middle of the ocean. They waited days and nights for rescue to arrive. But it never did.
Contributed by Loh Xiao Qi
Class of 6-9 2009
Creative-Writng: An Earthquake
Danny took a deep breath and crawled out from the rubble. What greeted his sight gave him a jolt and his face turned as white as a sheet of paper. His eyes watered but he tried hard not to cry.
The buildings that had once stood tall had collapsed and heaps of rubble piled high up. The earthquake killed many lives and wiped out the whole island. From a distance, Danny could see rescuers, trying desperately to find survivors that were buried in the rubble.
Danny scrambled to his feet, his eyes scanning for his parents. Horrible thoughts flashed through his mind. Where were Mum and Dad? Did they survive? Danny clasped his head, shaking away vigorously fearful thoughts . He tried to comfort himself that his parents were still alive. But it didnot help at all. Danny fought hard to hold back the tears, but in the end, he let them flow freely.
Contributed by Ao Ming Yi, Belinda
Class of 6-9 2009
The buildings that had once stood tall had collapsed and heaps of rubble piled high up. The earthquake killed many lives and wiped out the whole island. From a distance, Danny could see rescuers, trying desperately to find survivors that were buried in the rubble.
Danny scrambled to his feet, his eyes scanning for his parents. Horrible thoughts flashed through his mind. Where were Mum and Dad? Did they survive? Danny clasped his head, shaking away vigorously fearful thoughts . He tried to comfort himself that his parents were still alive. But it didnot help at all. Danny fought hard to hold back the tears, but in the end, he let them flow freely.
Contributed by Ao Ming Yi, Belinda
Class of 6-9 2009
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