The Key To Changing The World Lies In Changing Oneself

Have you seen movies that depict a heroic individual changing the world? Have you ever though of the difference one person can make? The world is constantly changing around us, regardless of for better or for worse. Change, is a broad term that is universally known to all. Change, is the cause of the rich history of the world that we are currently in. I believe that the change we wish to see in this world has to start from the individual. It does not do us any good by focusing on the sheer size of this task. Even if individuals are not able to alter the course of nature, or control large communities of people, the key to changing the world lies in changing one's mindset. In other words, changing one's belief, attitudes or behaviour can make a huge impact.

Effecting social change lies in changing oneself. Agents of change start internally, especially in our society. We make up the society, and every aspect of it, no matter how small, is related to us. When talking about social problems, the list is endless. They affect us both directly and indirectly in our lives. Thus, it is logical to say that every one of us plays a part in solving social problems. However, there has been little to cheer about regarding some major social problems such as terrorism and Singapore's decreasing birth rate. Although there are no one-size-fits-all solutions to the myriad of global problems, what matters is our intentions to make the world a better place. Due to the fact that Singapore is a secure and peaceful island with a vibrant economy, Singaporeans inevitably tend to have a sense of detachment regarding global problems. For example, many Singaporeans have the misconception that only Middle-Eastern and Western countries are terrorist targets or even bases, but the threat of terrorism is in fact everywhere. Who can forget the time when Mas Selamat, a terrorist leader, escaped from a detention centre on our home soil. Will we still be so ego centric if terrorists cause damage to us? Furthermore, this ego centric way of thinking also explains the declining birth rate in Singapore. In order to prevent this from affecting our country's future prospects, the government has tried to encourage couples to have more children through subsidies, but to no avail. This highlights the importance of adopting a sense of social responsibility.

Many individuals are generally apathetic to the world of politics, as they feel powerless to effect any changes. However, it will not benefit us if the government is allowed to have a free rein over us, as not every decision will please us. Thus, it is indeed true that during any election, every vote counts.

The rest of the world is not spared when some countries are embroiled in war or plagued by internal strife. The causes of the disastrous world wars that have changed the course of history are mainly related to violence. Some countries may feel that violence is the way to resolve conflicts and solve problems, but violence only begets more violence. As individuals, we should rid ourselves of violent and knee-jerk tendencies that may cause social tensions. An apt example will be Gandhi, who led a peaceful campaign for India's independence, illustrating that changing the world through peace is possible.

Last but not least, climate change! The pressing dangers of climate change is real and happening at a rapid pace. Green technological and economic policies are springing out in every part of the world. Unfortunately, big corporations and governments exploit the earth for their own indulgence, using the earth as a dumping ground. The earth is our home, and we are obliged to protect and conserve it, or else we will regret our actions in the future. Believe it or not, our myopic and self-centred actions and behaviours can help alleviate the effects of climate change. If everyone does his part to reduce pollution, the world will be a greener place.

Change is a big word, but it starts small. When we take the effort to change ourselves, we can change the world either socially, politically or environmentally in a peaceful way. It is never too late to start now.

Should All Civilised Societies Abolish The Death Penalty?

Should all civilised societies abolish the death penalty? In our modern society, the laws for punishing criminals have evolved through the years. In Singapore, the death penalty is considered the heaviest punishment for the worst offences, in other words, the nightmare of all criminals. What is the definition of civilised societies? A civilised society is a highly developed and sophisticated society, with continuous intellectual and moral advancement. Being an advanced and humane society, Singapore fits the description aptly. In my opinion, not all civilised societies should abolish the death penalty.



All societies are not the same. Depending on which part of the world they are from, they differ according to differing conditions and traditions. Hence, the style of governance will also be different. Until today, the laws that the government has set for us have worked. The death penalty is the key to our falling crime rate. Due to our draconian laws and insistent stand on the death penalty for heinous crimes, Singapore is one of the most secure countries in the world. The death penalty effectively deters future criminals from committing crimes, as they may never get a second chance.



Furthermore, the notion of humane in the case of the death penalty is problematic. There are many viewpoints regarding this issue. The first type of death penalty subjects criminals to a life time behind bars. Many human rights activists argue that it is inhumane to curtail one's freedom till his dying breath. Moreover, it would be a waste of resources to provide food and necessities for the prisoners. Other types of death penalty include hanging, which is undoubtedly the most painful way of dying. Instead of using these methods to punish criminals, the government should consider more humane forms such as lethal injection, which is fast and painless. The death penalty as a form of punishment is justifiable, but the way it is executed can be improved.



In a democratic society similar to Singapore, the state has rights too. By being citizens, we inadvertently give up some of our rights. The government has to protect its citizens, and protection granted comes in the form of law and regulations. In a way, the death penalty actually protects law-abiding citizens by acting as a deterrent against crime. Usually, a person is sentenced to the death penalty when he or she commits crimes such as murder or drug trafficking. Such crimes are obviously a transgression against the rights of others. In order to protect the rights of society and uphold our national values of equality, the government has an obligation to intervene and address the situation. The death penalty ensures that dangerous criminals will be duly punished. The physical and mental pain of the death penalty is a strict but practical way to account of the loss of innocent citizens.



Since Singapore values every human life, we should not abolish the death penalty. The abolishing of the death penalty not only has a possibility of increasing the crime rate, but also signals a lessened regard for every victim's suffering, humiliation and personal integrity. Most importantly, it shows a lessened regard for the value of a victim's life. From the viewpoint of the victim's kin, they will not be satisfied with any punishment lighter than the death penalty. Exacting the highest penalty affirms the highest value of human life. A life for a life, an eye for an eye, the death penalty is fair even in a civilised society.

"The Only Child In The Family Is A Lucky Child. " Do you agree?

Families with only one or two children is now a common phenomenon in Singapore. In contrast, families in the past could have up to seven or eight children. The decrease in birth rate is partially due to the rising costs of living. Raising a child requires a lot of money, taking into account the daily necessities, school fees and food costs. Having more children can result in higher stres levels, as children have to be given undivided care and material welfare. Other social and economic factors also play a part in causing a decrease in birth rate, including the subsequent psychological ramifications when couples have children. The question is, is the only child in the family a lucky child?

The only child in the family benefits from resources provided by parents. Material welfare is maximised as there is no competition and diversion of resources to other siblings. As a result, an only child gets more attention and his or her needs are often satisfied. An only child is nurtured in a potentially better environment. The only child in the family is given more opportunities to develop his or her own potential as the parents' resources are devoted to him or her.

However, life as an only child might not be a bed of roses. An only child has to live up to expectations of parents, which are often high, as he or she is perceived as the "only hope" in the family. This inevitable generates greater stress. The need to live up to the expectations of parents may even cause an only child to give up certain ambitions. The possibly impossible goals that an only child strives to achieve can cause him or her to lose confidence and passion for life.

The only child in the family receives maximum care and concern from his parents as more attention can be bestowed upon him. This can foster close family bonds. An only child is often given a warm and safe environment to grow up in, while enjoying undivided care from his parents.

However, the only child in the family often experiences an age gap between him and his parents. It will be tough to confide in his parents regarding sensitive issues. As a result, his personal concerns may not be conveyed to his parents. His parents may also have difficulty understanding his situation, thus causing misunderstandings between parent and child. Children with siblings often have a smaller age gap as they have ease sharing common experiences. In my opinion, it is unhealthy for an only child to bottle up his feelings and concerns.

An only child may lack necessary exposure to peers of a similar age. He may develop an introverted personality due to the fact that there is no chance of him being exposed to relationships. Thus, it is difficult for him to immerse himself in any social gathering.

The only child in the family is fortunate in a way as he enjoys undivided attention and material well-being. However, he is often subject to pressure from parents and experiences intimidations in stepping out of his comfort zone. In my opinion, an only child is lucky to a certain extent only. There may be ramifications arising from the virtue of a single child status.

Are people in Singapore "Humane & Compassionate" Or "Materialistic & Self-Centred"?

In my opinion, Singaporeans are more humane and compassionate than materialistic and self-centred. The materialistic and self-centred deeds of a minority of Singaporeans should not be used to describe Singaporeans as a whole. In fact, many Singaporeans have contributed to the society and helped those who are in need.

Foreign aid is given generously to any country that is in need of help. Singapore, like many other countries, has given humanitarian help in times of crisis. For us, our aid is in the form of the Red Cross society. The Red Cross society has helped countries such as Indonesia and Kashmir through donations and manpower. Furthermore, no material rewards can be obtained from such actions. This shows that the government is willing to help our countries in need without materialistic desires. Not only does the Singaporean government show compassion through foreign aid, but so do our citizens. Volunteerism in overseas places like Bhutan, Indonesia and Vietnam has indeed helped to alleviate the suffering of victims in those countries. Are you willing to sacrifice time with your loved ones to help others for no materialistic gains? I believe that as Singapore is a developed and prosperous nation, we should not ignore the fact that many people from poorer countries are suffering as we speak.

Nowadays, more Singaporeans are involved in community service. Charity concerts by individuals and organisations have raised substantial sums of money to help people who are in need. Even students are involved in community service, through Community Involvement Programmes. This is an important step in nurturing students to be considerate and compassionate, as instilling such values while they are young will be more effective. Singaporeans are also raising funds for charity through their own effort and sweat, in events such as marathons or races. It is indeed heartwarming that Singaporeans are willing to help others in need.

Social causes are gaining more public attention. Mistreatment of animals by a minority of Singaporeans have resulted in letters to the press, indicting abusive acts towards animals. I feel that such abusive acts towards animals cannot be condoned, and it is good news that public awareness has been raised about these issues.

The government has implemented projects to destigmatise sections of society that are being marginalised, such as the Yellow Ribbon project for ex-convicts and Silver Ribbon project for people with mental illness. These projects have helped many disabled or ex-convicts to integrate into society. In my opinion, we cannot have stereotypes of them just because of their background, in order to emphathise with them, we must put ourselves in their shoes.

Singaporeans seek non-materialistic rewards and quality of life rather than pure materialism. Most Singaporeans travel to enrich themselves, gain knowledge and have memorable experiences. These non-materialistic pursuits done for intrinsic value are evident in our country's expeditions to Mt. Everest and the South Pole.

Materialism may not necessarily be a self-centred or negative attitude. It can also be seen as a display of love for family members as such people seek a better standard of living for their loved ones. As the saying goes, we cannot judge a book by its cover. In my opinion, Singaporeans are more humane and compassionate than materialistic and self-centred.

Is Music Just for the Background?

Music is everywhere. Music can be made by just simply tapping a rhythm with your fingers. Music is well-known for creating the ambience of a place and expressing the emotions of composers. Some people think of it as a background for filling up the silence or creating an atmosphere. I do not dispute with the fact that music is valuable as a background. It allows us to relax and is often used in therapy. If you have watched any film before, you will find that the background music in films are mainly responsible for stirring our emotions. Without music, films will not be able to captivate us. In my opinion, music not only "fills the emptiness", it also has many purposes that are relevant to us.

Learning music gives one's life a whole new dimension. We will be able to gain something by learning a musical instrument. Nowadays, not only are the young interested in music, even old folks have started to learn musical instruments. Music does not simply give us expertise in the musical instruments that we learn, it also allows us to have knowledge of musicians and composers. Music exists in the form of writing too, that is referred to as theory. Besides knowing the techniques needed to play the instrument, one must truly understand music itself by studying its universally known form, in written scores.

Music can affect us in many ways. It has the power to bring us to tears or even cause us to laugh. How many times have your spirits been lifted when you listened to happy music? How many times have you wept when you listened to melancholic tunes? Music can also remind us of our past experiences, regardless of whether they are happy or sad. When I listen to a familiar tune, I often reminisce about my early childhood days. Music is indeed a thing of beauty.

Music can be explored in many different ways, each having their own meaning. Classical and jazz music are just two of the kinds of music. Music can engage our creativity as we can dance to them. Folk dances, waltzes, ballet, pop dances or latin dances are all inspired by music. National anthems are music too! Singing the national anthem makes us feel a sense of belonging to the country.

Music has also been used in advertising to promote sales! When you listen to a particular tune, you will tend to associate it with a certain company. This causes us to take more notice of them. For example, Coca-Cola uses the "Living In Perfect Harmony" tune in its advertisements. Music can also be for educational purposes. It can be used to help us concentrate or make us become more creative learners. Music serves to liven up a social activity more effectively than anything else. It contributes to the life of occasions through other means too, such as a choir or an orchestra. Competitions have been made specifically for musical groups, for example, the Singapore Youth Festival competitions involving many schools.

There are also modern examples of bands or singers that convey their own opinions through music. One such example is the band "Green Day". One of their songs "Holiday", actually criticises the Iraq war and blames the American government.

Music is much more than a mere acoustic wallpaper. It serves us in many ways. To some, it is their career. To others, it is a form of relaxation. To me, it is my passion.

IT Home Learning: "Rainbow Death" by Hubert Wilson

America did not foresee
Green, pink, purple and other colors death potpourri!
Expecting others to pay a high price.
Now thinking twice?
Toll on the innocent and unborn.

Omnipotent and disregarding who will mourn.
Reflective about all the illness, birth defects and prematurely dead.
All the deceit continues to spread.
Nefariously America led astray -
Generations untold WILL pay -
Execrable effects of agent orange spray!

Hubert Wilson

Report:

This poem is written from the point of view of an American soldier during the Vietnam War, fought between the communist North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of South Vietnam, supported by the United States and other anti-communist nations. This poem talks about a modern day ingredient of warfare that has caused appalling death and suffering not only to its intended victims, the Vietnamese people, but also the service personnel that used or even just came into contact with “Agent Orange”.

Agent Orange is the code name for a herbicide and defoliant used by the U.S. military in its Herbicidal Warfare program during the Vietnam War. Approximately 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to Agent Orange, resulting in 400,000 deaths and disabilities, and 500,000 children born with birth defects. From 1962 to 1971, Agent Orange was by far the most widely used of the so-called "Rainbow Herbicides" employed in the herbicidal warfare program. Thus, the title of this poem is “Rainbow Death”. During the production of Agent Orange, dioxins were produced as a contaminant, which have caused numerous health problems for the millions of people who have been exposed.

This poem reminds us that wars can have a lasting impact on its victims.

References:

www.warpoetry.co.uk/2010warpoetry.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_War

http://www.poemhunter.com/hubert-wilson/


Analysis (Point-Evidence-Elaboration):

1. Point of view

This poem is from the point of view of a Vietnam War veteran from America. During the war, Hubert Wilson experienced health problems due to herbicidal warfare, such as unexplained headaches and limb pains. Furthermore, his central nervous system radically deteriorated with Parkinsonian type tremors, severe headaches and progressive limb pains. This shows us that even slight exposure to contaminants used in the Vienam War can have adverse effects. It is evident in the poem that Hubert Wilson disapproves strongly of the use of herbicidal warfare in Vietnam, from "America did not foresee / Green, pink, purple and other colors death potpourri!" and "Nefariously America led astray". Most probably, the poet had witnessed how enemies or even innocent civilians have suffered from the use of herbicidal warfare. He himself even suffered from the contaminants, hence this explains his strong disapproval in his poem.

2. Situation and setting

This war poem is mainly talking about the Vietnam War, which is a war between the communists and anti-communist. The poem describes how herbicidal warfare is a cruel tactic in war and the agony that it has caused. Apparently, the poet feels angry about America's use of herbicidal warfare as he portrays America as the party at fault in the poem. Why was herbicidal warfare even used in the Vietnam War? Early in the American military effort it was decided that since the enemy were hiding their activities under triple-canopy jungle, a useful first step might be to defoliate certain areas. As you know, guerilla warfare was a common tactic employed by both sides. The extent of the damage on the environment was very serious. In 1961 and 1962, the Kennedy administration authorized the use of chemicals to destroy rice crops. Between 1961 and 1967, the U.S. Air Force sprayed 20 million U.S. gallons of concentrated herbicides over 6 million acres of crops and trees, affecting an estimated 13% of South Vietnam's land. In 1965, 42% of all herbicide was sprayed over food crops. The poet is appalled that even the main livelihood of the innocent civilians was not spared.

3. Language/Diction

It is apparent that Hubert Wilson uses strong language in his poem to show his disapproval of the use of herbicidal warfare. In the first stanza, "America did not foresee / Green, pink, purple and other colors death potpourri!" is closely related to the title of the poem "Rainbow Death". The word "potpourri" means a mixture of ingredients, when the poet links it with the word "death", it is evident that he is mocking the use of herbicidal warfare. The first stanza is mainly implying that it is already too late for America to regret her actions as the suffering has already been caused, especially on the innocent and the unborn. In the second stanza, "Omnipotent and disregarding who will mourn. / Reflective about all the illness, birth defects and prematurely dead." personifies the chemical agents as having unlimited power and no mercy at all. The poet puts the blame on these chemical agents, and those who makes use of them, for causing "illness, birth defects and prematurely dead". In the second stanza, the poet even describes America as infamous by being extremely wicked in "Nefariously America led astray". Not forgetting that America is the country that he is fighting for in the war, this shows the cruelty and immorality of using herbicidal warfare. In the second last line, "Generations untold WILL pay", the word "will" is written in capital letters. This not only makes a greater impact on the readers that future generations will continue to suffer, this also gives us a clue of the poet's feelings when he was writing this poem. In the last line, the poet describes the effects of Agent Orange herbicides as "execrable", which means extremely hateful. We can tell from the context of this poem that the effects of these herbicides are not only hated by the victims, but by people who share the same point of view as the poet.

4. Personal response

This poem is a unique war poem as it does not exactly fit into the category of "pro-war" or "anti-war". Instead, this poem criticises the tactics employed in modern warfare. Why is this poem not purely anti-war? Well, if the anti-communists, the side that the poet was fighting for, fought the war without harming the innocent civilians in the process, the poet might not have disapproved of it. I feel that it is very selfish, in a sense, to cause suffering to the innocent just for one's gain. Furthermore, the Vietnam War was not worth all the casualties and suffering. It was not a war of patriotism, it was more like a clash of ideals, between communism and anything anti-communist. Personally, I symphathise with the soldiers that suffered in this conflict, in the same way that the poet symphathises with the victims of herbicidal warfare. I believe that herbicidal warfare will still be in use in the future, due to the unremovable greed of man. As technology progresses, the methods of warfare changes too. Methods of modern warfare are said by some to be good uses of technology, as they have the power to end wars. However, others argue that it is an abuse of technology, as war will not be just fought on battlefields, but possibly at your doorstep.

How Effective Is The Education System In Singapore In Preparing You For Your Working Life?

The education system in Singapore remains a bane to most local students and parents. Although it is lamented for its rigidity, it has been praised for its discipline and efficiency by other countries. In my opinion, Singapore's education system is effective in preparing us for our working life and it is constantly improving as the society progresses. Discipline and efficiency must be superimposed on today's knowledge-based economy and increasingly interlinked world. Singapore's education system is even a model for other countries to follow, it is undoubtedly among the best in the world.

Our education system is effective in imparting us the skills and knowledge to meet the needs of the economy. Hence, employers are given a guarantee of the level of skills and knowledge that their employees possess. Anyone that graduates from the education system in Singapore will certainly have skills that conform to a certain standard. The government has made primary school education compulsory, and any parent who does not enrol his or her child in a primary school will be heavily fined. As a result, every child will be literate and have a common set of knowledge as well as a platform to prepare them for their working life. The degree of economic viability will thus be better as every Singaporean is equipped with the necessary skills to let them survive in the competitive workforce.

Academic achievements are so common now that employers do not use them as a sole criterion for hiring their employees. Besides the pragmatic dimension of imparting knowledge and skills, the education system of Singapore encompasses moral and character education. As students, we are reminded of Singapore's history, future challenges and the world around us.

The use of technology is also evident in Singapore's education system. To keep up with the trends of our technological age, schools are promoting the use of information technology to teach and assess the students. Unlike our education system in the past, when students only studied textbooks and worksheets, our current education system focuses on providing the essential skills that we need, giving us a more holistic development. There is a vast array of co-curricular activities to choose from. This not only allows students to hone their skills, but also lets them develop more holistically as individuals. Co-curricular activities and other programmes help to maximise the leadership potential of students, at the same time instilling in them values of teamwork and respect.

Singapore's multi-ethnicity allows us to better interact with our counterparts of other races and understand their differences. In a way, we will have an edge over people from some countries as we will have firsthand background knowledge of people from other countries. When we grow up and embark on our journey as working adults, we will be able to work well with colleagues from other communities and be sensitive to their differences.

However, no system is completely without flaws. There is a large disparity between Singaporeans and foreign counterparts in terms of entrepreneurial spirit. Singaporean students are mostly too acquiescent and obedient, resulting in their reluctance to venture abroad due to insecurities and family ties. Furthermore, many of our students have a lack of communication skills and confidence, due to strong emphasis on rote-learning in previous years. The good news is that all this will change as Singapore's education system improves.

The problems plaguing our education system are currently being rectified. With each passing year, our students are educated to be more creative and entrepreneurial through inter-disciplinary projects and presentations. Schools are now aiming to cultivate students into more holistic individuals who are able to adapt to the needs of the global economy. However, parents must be receptive to this revamp and work in tandem with the education system. If our students are responsive to changes, our education system will be even more effective in preparing us for our working life.

Is Sport Given Too much Importance In Today's World?

Sport has been given the recognition unthought of a century or more ago. Countries have invested substantial amounts of money in sports, and famous sporting events such as the Olympic Games have seen countries go all out against one another for fame and recognition. We hear news about sports being broadcasted on television almost all the time. Even majestic buildings and structures have been built solely for the purpose of sports. Schools are also placing more emphasis on sports. In the past, our main objective as a student was to study and grow up to be a wealthy person, however, in our current society, sports talents earn tons of money even without a decent education! Is the importance attached to sport out of proportion to its value to us?

Nowadays, it is apparent that too much money is spent on sports. For example, famous footballers and golfers can earn more money than people who have high social status. Instead of placing so much emphasis on nurturing sports talents, the government should encourage people to have a job that contributes to the progress of the society. After all, what can sports achieve for a country besides glory and recognition?

Sports makes news headlines ahead of far more important matters. An example would be the football star David Beckham, who appears on the front pages of newspapers even for the most trivial of things. In my opinion, newspapers are talking more about sports than they should, due to the fact that a few pages are dedicated to sporting events alone. Surely there are more significant events happening in the world right now! What matters to us most is becoming aware of events that may impact us, not whether a soccer player scores a goal or not.

Sports takes the minds of many people off the serious matters in life. People who are obsessed with sport often go too far to show their support for a certain team or sportsman, to the extent that they name their children after them! In some cases, some parents even use that as a model for what their children will be when they grow up. I feel that the child should have the right to decide whether he or she wants to play sports or not, and not live as a mere shadow of a famous sportsman.

Furthermore, sports takes people away from home and also concerns of the home. Some parents do not spend valuable family time with their children just because they want to watch a soccer match. People who are so obsessed can even bet large amounts of money on sports illegally. We must get our priorities straight as our family is definitely more important to us than sports.

Some die-hard supporters or fans of a certain team or player may get carried away with emotions when things do not turn out the way they want to. This may result in fighting and violence, which has actually happened before. For example, a bus containing soccer players from a certain country was attacked on their journey to another country for the World Cup. Such fighting and violence may even result in deaths.

In my opinion, sports is given too much importance in today's world. It should only be used as a way for us to stay healthy, not as an obsession that deviates us from what is truly important in life, which is our loved ones. Sports should only be a passion for some, not something that tears apart relationships.

"The Lady Or The Tiger?" by Frank Stockton - My version of its ending

"The Lady Or The Tiger?" by Frank Stockton is a very unique short story. Why do I say so? Unlike most stories, "The Lady Or The Tiger" does not have a definite ending, hence, it is up to the reader to imagine an actual ending to the story. When I first came across this story, I found it very captivating, especially the climax. You can read this story by clicking here: http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/LadyTige.shtml

My version of the ending:
As soon as the door was opened, a loud growl pierced the silence and a paw shot out from the gloom. The young man let out a cry of shock and backed away from the door like a spring. The die was cast. His fate was sealed. He had chosen the way to his impending doom. All he could do now was to hold his own against the menacing creature. He did not expect the princess, the woman he so dearly loved, to betray his trust! Why? Why must she skill him? Mixed emotions of anguish and sorrow welled up in him. He felt as if his heart was being torn apart, piece by piece. However, he had an even greater problem to deal with.

The tiger began emerging slowly from the open door, its fur bathed in the warm sunlight, its claws sharp as razors, ready to rip apart the insides of its waiting prey. The young man recoiled in fear, as this was the most savage beast he had ever seen. He broke out into a cold sweat, constantly keeping his eyes locked on the beast before him. He could choose to fight the beast, or meet his maker. He preferred to die fighting.

As the tiger prowled around him, ready to pounce on him any moment, he readied himself to a fighting stance, wondering how his bare fists could match the beast's claws. How he wished this nightmare would end!

The princess could not bear to watch. The man whom she loved most, all the sweet memories of their moments together, would be gone in a minute. Had she done the right thing? Would her sweetheart understand? She tried to reassure herself by thinking that if she can never marry her lover, no one else would. Absolutely no one.

As the audience waited in bated breath, the tiger let out a menacing roar and pounced at the man. A handful from the audience winced, half expecting to see a gruesome mess of blood and flesh. From out of the blue, the tiger seemed to pause in mid-air and drop to the ground. The audience began to murmur among themselves. The murmuring inevitably turned into shrieks. What had happened? The king and the princess were at a loss for words! Such an incident had not happened in the entire history of this kingdom. The young man was both shocked, and relieved. Had this miracle not appeared, his life would be ended painfully. Taking no chances, he walked towards the tiger with immense caution. To his immense relief, it was dead. However, the cause of its death puzzled him. An arrow had pierced its throat. Blood stained its magnificent fur coat.

Everyone in the arena shifted their gaze towards the direction that the arrow had came from. Nobody could believe what they saw. Even the wise men were stumped. A tall, muscular man stood on a tall tower, wielding a longbow in one hand. It was apparent that he was a brilliant archer. Not even the country's finest marksmen could kill a moving tiger from such a great height!

The young man was baffled. Why had this incredible marksman saved his life? Still, he had to express his gratitude to his benefactor somehow.

Meanwhile, the king was furious, steam was literally coming out of his ears. He threw his crown on the ground and stomped on it like a child throwing a tantrum. "Kill that intruder at once! Do whatever it takes..." he muttered to his soldiers, constantly glaring at the figure on the tower. This nonsense had to end. How could this unknown archer have the audacity to ruin this event! He swore that he would not hesitate to torture the intruder with whatever he could think of.

Before the king's soldiers could arrest the man and the archer, a winged beast flew from above. While everyone in the arena froze in horror, the archer jumped on it and whistled. The winged creature was enormous, resembling an eagle, its wings spanning a third of the whole arena. No one expected something like this to happen. It was as if the world had turned upside down! As the creature flew towards the young man below, the archer beckoned him to hop on. The young man did not hesitate as this was his only hope of escape. After that amazing rescue, the winged creature flew far, far away.

The king let out a cry of anguish and pounded his fists madly on the table. He had only one word in his mind. It was none other than revenge...

"Who are you? Why did you save me?" the man asked, a myriad of questions occupied his mind. The archer pondered for a moment, before turning to him and removing his mask. As the archer replaced his mask with a green hood, the truth slowly came to light. "Can you guess now?" he smiled. The young man could hardly contain his excitement! He could find no way to express his emotions. The one who robbed the rich, and gave to the poor. The one who preserved justice, and fought evil. How could he not realise it? A legend was right before him. The young man replied in admiration,"Robin Hood..."

~The End - Hope you enjoyed it!~

Can A Country Preserve Its Culture Nowadays When Subject Continually To Outside Influences?

The world we now know has changed drastically compared to what it was like a century ago. Due to a rapid progress in technology, the world has shrunk. In the past, countries were wrapped up in themselves, determined to preserve their own cultures. However, nowadays, it is difficult for any culture not to be influenced due to the presence of television, air travel, the internet and the radio. Wherever we go, we are subject continually to outside influences, especially in Singapore, a multiracial country. Can a country still preserve its culture nowadays when subject continually to outside influences?

There is no way to keep the radio out of a country. It has been regarded as a common appliance in our daily lives. In a dynamic and modern society like Singapore, almost every household has a television. However, there are still some means of controlling which satellite transmissions the antennae can receive from. In Singapore, it is illegal to receive satellite transmissions from disallowed foreign satellites. Rather than to keep out foreign influences, the government does this to protect our local television companies. If everyone can gain access to other foreign channels, our local entertainment sector will cease to exist! However, in Malaysia, we can still access a generous number of dialect programmes.

There are advantages of being open to outside influences. We can learn from other countries and not be confined only to our culture. This helps to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of the diverse races and cultures around us, which is essential for a multiracial country like Singapore. In order to fully understand and embrace people of other races, we must interact with them. Another advantage is that countries which are not so developed can progress faster. Two examples are Japan and South Korea. Since the time that they have opened to western cultures, they have modernised rapidly and become economic giants in Asia. In spite of the invasion of foreign cultures, Japan and South Korea still preserve their traditional cultures. As English is a globally-used language, students from China, South Korea or Taiwan travel to countries such as the United States or Singapore to learn English. Why choose Singapore? The reason is that Singapore has a good education system, so foreign students can learn much faster here compared to studying in their own countries.

Unfortunately, the ability to preserve culture does not exist in all countries. Many of our local teenagers have absorbed the drugs and permissiveness of the west. It is indeed deplorable that people in countries like Japan and South Korea are so deep in their own cultures, while Singaporeans are overwhelmed by something foreign. Have you noticed that most Chinese teenagers in Singapore do not wear red during Chinese New Year? Many local teenagers do not respect their own cultures and traditions, so much so that the cultures that our ancestors have kept for generations may be forgotten.

Cultures do not keep alive by themselves. The government must take a stand, especially in Singapore. The optimum result will be to let western culture co-exist with our own. I believe that with determined government attitude and support from the people, our culture can be preserved.