I was not a naughty student when I was in the primaries. However coming from a poverty stricken family I had my shortcomings. I was withdrawn and found it difficult to make friends. However, there were those who warmed up to me and I found it comfortable to move around with them. Some of them ended up as good friends even after we had left school. Since I came from a poor family I was late in paying my school fees which at RM2.00 was a princely sum for my family. So every beginning of the month I would attend school until the 7th of each month and if my mum was not able to procure the fees by then I usually missed classes as I would have to stand on the bench until class is over for failing to pay the fees on time. It did strike me that I was the only one who underwent this ritual. The Form teacher never inquired why I have not paid the fees. I do not blame him too as I was too embarrassed to tell her that my father’s wages had been safely lodged at the t...
The memories of a young man