This entry should have been posted much earlier because it relates to an event during the last Hari Raya celebration. Hari Raya is the time we have a number of ex-Almanar pupils calling on us, alone, in groups and with spouses. In many ways they are members of our enlarged family.
This time we had just about seventy of them. Last year’s figure was above eighty. Understandably many are now working people who have to be on duty and some are married and have to be away celebrating Hari Raya with families of their spouses.
They aren't kids anymore!
As customary on such occasions, Makcik had ready some gift envelops for small children brought along to visit us. There was an instant when Pakcik and Makcik were escorting two of ex-Almanar visitors – now young adults - out of the house. Out of a sudden and surreptitiously each of them tried to slip small green envelops into our hands. Both of us were absolutely stunned with disbelief. Almost instinctively we tried not to accept the gift.
Do I deserve one?
“Saya dah kerja, Pakcik, ( I’ve already got a job , Pakcik)” asserted one of them to me. And the second girl uttered the same to Makcik. Seeing how resolute they were we relented – receiving cash gift from our ex-pupils. As much as we understand what such a gift stands for, we are determined that this must never be a trend.
We are happy for their families. Our pleasure is to see that they have a good start in life and able to assist their parents and siblings.
Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan.
10 comments:
Dear Pakcik,
You did well to accept. Glad that you did. 1)Refusing rezeki may not be a good thing. They had given with all sincerity. 2)It also hurt their feelings when we refused to accept. They felt proud to return your kindness and they treasure your acceptance.
Hank
Salam Pakcik.
Mereka ikhlas memberi dan mungkin tidak tahu apa lagi cara terbaik untuk menunjukkan rasa besar hati mereka kepada Pakcik dan Makcik berdua. Alhamdulillah.....suka membaca cerita anak-anak hasil didik Pakcik!
Dear Pakcik,
In some cultures, it is customary for the young to give to the elders. They meant and did well, Pakcik. You can then choose to spend the rezeki on the current young ones? purrr...meow!
C-f-S,
It is our culture as well that the young give to their elders. I have helped them for the love of seing success and for that I do not see it right to accept cash in return. It has to be in other forms. A packet of keropok on a rare visit is more than adequate.
Hank,
I realised what that gift meant to them. I could not disappoint them, even less to make them feel offended by my show of belittling their gift.
Uncle,
Memang betul mereka berbesar hati. Tak sampai hati kami hendak mengecewa mereka. Cikgu lebih faham. Tapi saya lebih suka kalau ditunjukkan dalam bentuk lain dari wang ringgit.
Salam Pakcik,
'Tapi saya lebih suka kalau ditunjukkan dalam bentuk lain dari wang ringgit'.
Seperti buah tembikai ya PakCik.
Heheheheeeee
Saya juga setuju dengan pandangan cat from Sydney agar Pakcik menggunakan wang tersebut untuk pelajar baru.
Pak Cik,
There is a saying that goes"A good turn deserves another" and they did the most natural thing in life,that is a token of their appreciation.
Pakmail,
Setuju. Dalam fikiran saya pun begitu.
AHS,
That is very true. My thought is like Pakmail above, a watermalon, perhaps?
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