....and there's nothing like a mother's love.

I was just 7 years old in 1961.

My first day at Hutchings’ School was very exciting. Mum walked me from Toh Aka Lane, and along the way in Pitt Street showed me into Kapitan Kling Mosque. “Pray for the wellness of your new Malay friends,” she said. ...and I did.

Then we stopped at Mariamman Temple. “You’ll have Indian friends in school. Mix well with them, you’re as dark as them. Pray your classmates can differentiate you from them,” she teased, then laughed. ...and I did, I prayed.

The next stop was the Goddess of Mercy temple. We spent a bit of time there. I was introduced to the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin. “She’s most important, most forgiving” said mum.

I was quickly ushered to Confucius’s altar. “Don't stand! ...kneel down and pray; Confucius looks after all pupils who want and like to study. He will teach you to be obedient and respectful to elders and leaders; and diligent at your studies.” My, oh my!

...and in no time, “There’s Kuan Kong, a great Warrior God and Pao Kong the Chief Justice. If you study hard, you can become a 'law-ya' like him.”

Then I’m introduced to ChiK Kong ...and all the other gods in the temple.

That was my first insight on JDs.... I began to understand the job description of each ang-kong (god). It was as if I was on a guided tour, and I learned much in that short 20 minutes that ended with a cup of tea.

“Wash the cup there and turn it upside down in the tray.” Hundreds of other temple-goers share the same cups daily. No qualms....

Surprisingly, mum took me to the Assumption Church which was next to my school. However, we just stood there to admire the building. “Let’s go, your pa won’t like this.” I don’t know why.

Soon I was in school and the registration confirmation begun. I was in Standard 1 Red. Mum said bye-bye and left. Other parents remained. Their kids were wailing! ...some looked so sad! But I was ready. I was ready for school, I have Confucius behind me. Mum was a great motivator!

In the 6 years when I was in Primary school, I never failed to repeat the routine mum taught me. Besides all the learnings in school, mum taught me much. She taught me many, many things - so philosophically.

She taught me about RELIGION, for besides that inductive guided tour, she had a famous line - “You better pray that you get good exam results or you’ll get it.”

Get what? If by praying I can pass examinations, then exams are easy!

“Where’s my cane?” ....Mum taught me how to ASK THE RIGHT QUESTION. ...and normally the answer will not come.

She also taught me LOGIC.... “Because I said so, that’s why.”

 ...and MORE LOGIC, “If you fall out of that chair and break your back, you’re not going to the “chai-tiamah” (sundry shop) with me.” Well of course, bed is the only place to go if anyone breaks his back.
Mum also taught me IRONY, “Keep crying, go on keep crying - and I’ll give you something to cry about.”

...and she was such a great scientist when she taught me REVERSE OSMOSIS, “Shut your mouth and eat your lunch!”  ....How to eat with your mouth shut?

She’d then warn me about THE DANGERS OF TALKING BACK at parents, “I brought you into this world, and I can take you out!” Wow!

Ironically, she also taught me something I never picked up.

EXAGGERATION... “How many times must I tell you? If I told you once, I’ve already told you a thousand times!”

...and I dunno why she’d sometimes say, “Stop acting like your father!” when she’s into BEHAVIOUR MODELLING.

“Well ma, you should tell Pa not to lead by that example.”

“Just wait till he comes home! Then you tell your Pa this!” She was teaching me how to EXPRESS TO THE CORRECT PERSON and about men having GUTS & BALLS. It was a challenge.

“So, just shut your mouth and eat your lunch.... There are millions of Africans and Chinese who don’t have rice to eat like you do,” as she progressed to preach lessons on ENVY.

“Chiak-lah! If you don’t finish your lunch, you are going to get it when your father comes home," she was explaining the concept of RECEIVING. Wow! I better finish my lunch....

But I still laughed, and mum got mad. “One day you’ll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!”

That was a lesson on JUSTICE.

                                      Gawd!... I just love my mum and her 1- 2-liners! RIP, mum.