Last Monday, I woke up at dawn down with abdominal pain and with a feeling of nauseating and high temperature. I had to bunk school.

Despite some home remedies, like mint and cumin seed water, I continued to feel the urge to vomit and the pain grew worse. I had to rush to the toilet a few times. When Father said that it could be the symptoms of dysentery, Mother did not want to run the risk of trying with home medicine, so she immediately rang up Dr. Chan and got an appointment.

Last Sunday, I felt that my mind was left with nothing to mull over. However much I tried to find an activity to get myself preoccupied, there was nothing for it. That is, it turned out to be a very boring day for me.

Thappa Tondie. He is a fantastic artist who can sketch just about any one in minutes and can make eyes seem bigger and noses look much longer. His favourite features are ears that stick out as long as buck teeth. All my classmates has had their caricature done by him so that we all had lots of fun some time.

What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of the only child?

The only child in a family has now become a common choice. The child has both advantages and disadvantages. Some of them are written below.

One advantage is that the only child is well balanced and socially adept. Parents have mobility and resources to support an active social role for their only children. These children have no problem fitting in and making new friends as many of their class mates are also only children. One disadvantage is that if he turns out to be the only child in the entire class, he may become shy, and socially withdrawn

On one occasion, I remember having taken the saw of my father and, with the help of a cousin, crept into the waiting room and sawed the leg of a chair. I just wanted to ‘show’ him what I was capable of. However, my plan failed. Instead of my father, an orthodox aunt called in and sat snugly on it, falling head first. My cousin and I chuckled. Seeing the stare of my father, we stopped laughing, but as soon as we saw his twisted smile, we did not bother about the ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ of my aunt. We had a good spanking.

Though less important now, syringe needles would send shivers up and down my spine when I was a child. As I usually suffered from running nose and fever, our family doctor had to inject me with antibiotics and I can still recall my father holding me tightly for it. As for the school vaccinations, the sight of the medical team in our class made me imagine the excruciating pain. Worse still, I saw my classmates returning, crying and holding the cotton swab on the injection. A strong and fat nurse prevented me from escaping; I was crying until my turn came. When they saw that I was not being easy, a male nurse caught me and pulled me up. A female nurse rubbed a swab and just inserted the needle. When my agony was over, I came out  with firm decision that I would somehow avoid the next vaccination, but I was forced to be present on that day.

In my neighbourhood, where I have grown up in an atmosphere of friendliness and affection, we greet each other every time we meet and love to chat a little. One night, we were all awakened by shouts and screams. Outside, two police vans flashing their sirens had just halted. It was the first burglary which sent shivers down our spine.

Sams had just discovered that their new Television set was missing, so they called the police. All the inhabitants in the vicinity began to keep their doors closed. However, Mr. Harry became the victim of a burglary a week later; his wife’s jewels and two thousand in bank notes were gone. All the neighbours became united, and more soft-spoken, and mounted their own guard although the police now regularly patrolled the area.

To Barry Ghar,
18, Grand Chemin,
Bel Air.

Dear Mr. Ghar,

I’m writing to complain about the terrible noise you and your children make during the night. You're disturbing!

When do you intend to do something about the terrible noise from your television and radio? Your children play them in high volume; they must realize that they have neighbours who have right to tranquility. How many times do I have to tell you that your youngest son is rattling a tin with pebbles to make music? He’s irritating! When they are loudly singing and tapping on the table, I get on my nerves. Shouldn’t your wife do her motherly duty to stop them? Moreover, your dogs are always at war with each other. Growling and barking are common occurrences. We can neither sleep nor study. It’s fatiguing!

That morning, I woke up at about five, and, after the morning bath, I accompanied my father to Quatre Bornes Mosque for the first prayer of the day. We met others there. Then, we hugged everyone in turn. Returning home, I perfumed myself, as per our Muslim custom, and wore the new clothes which Father had bought specially for that occasion.