The pictures have been flashing through my eyesight again. Buildings of schools had been ruined in vain; the cheers of joyful children have no longer been heard, nor their sounds of reading aloud. Substituted were the cries of desperate parents, spiralling in the air, touching the chord of our heart. Today no longer can they walk home together- as yet their love one are still underneath- the game of hide-and-seek is just started…
The darkness has never defeated the spirit of the children underneath. They sang the songs together, they motivated each others, and they made promises to be out altogether. Names were called from time to time to awake the others. Strength of determination had been generated for the survivorship… they believed every cloud must have a silver lining…
“Naughty boys, it shall be the time home. The game is ended. Dinner is ready…” Yet, after days and nights some are out and some are not; some are found intact, some are mutilated but most of them, have ever since never answered any calls by their parents and friends. Some are to hibernate on the ground for ever and ever. Rainbow does not necessarily appear after the pouring. Effort does not necessarily bear fruits. But we believe the seeds of LOVE have been planted in the heart of everyone. Desperation, grief and laments have been transformed into hope, strength and motivation heading for a better future.
Not only had the lands of Sichuan been convulsed the heart of mankind too had been trembled. The moving pictures flash through my mind again. This time it is with the overwhelming heroic stories: the catastrophe is ruthless but our heart is compassionate. Acted on instinct teachers and parents had sacrificed themselves to save the lives of the children- body as a shelter to protect the safety of the children- at the critical moment. “Baby, if you’re alive, remember mom always love you.” This phone message has been spread worldwide via the TV and internet- indicating how great and sacred the love of a mother is. Though hands were broken a 3-year old boy had arduously lifted his hand up to pay salute to the soldiers salvaging him from the ruins. Even dogs, had shown its mercy to save the life of a 60-year-old lady. They had accompanied the trapped lady for more than 196 hours until the rescuers came (who had discovered her following the direction of the barks). Surprisingly the lady was not the owner of the two dogs!
It is proven that men, by instinct, are mercy, compassionate and loving. Naturally, we care not only for ourselves but also the people around us, including a mere stranger. A natural disaster has united our hearts as one, fight tooth and nail to salvage the lives of others whom we do not even recognize; but why can’t we solve the (man-made) wars and terrorist attacks in a civilized manner? In a win-win situation? Where is our first instinct and consciousness when it comes to disputes? Has it been submerged by the self-interests? We can’t change the reality of natural disasters but manslaughter is within our control!
Let us pay homage and tribute to the victims and Samaritans in this earthquake. They will always be remembered both in the history and our hearts… “My friends, keep on walking, the light is just in front…”
