"PEOPLE "..YOU WOULD NEVER FORGET...

[nirosha sen]

okay - here's my unforgettable person to this day - She was a Chinese elderly lady who was the Methodist pastor's wife. Both of them ran a small Chinese medium kindy a long time ago, right next to their church. I was the sole Indian child, shy, retreating and recessive.

Her name was Moksi Leong. She was especially kind to me compared to all the other kids. I suppose I was the lost sheep that needed extra vigilant tending to because I looked different.

I remember one fine day, when I trudged my way to school and got wet in a heavy downpour. Afraid to take shelter anywhere, I valiantly braved the bad weather and driving rain to make it to the door-step of the Kindy. Wet and apprehensive to enter the class, I dawdled. I huddled close to the warmth of the wall next to Moksi Leong's room, not realising that she had spotted me. Shivering with both the cold and fear, I inched my way into her room when she beckoned me. I dripped rain water in a small puddle when she assessed my state.

In Chinese, she told me to remove my dress and hand it to her. While I waited in my undies, she made me dry up in a big fluffy towel and gave me a round seater to sink into. Scolding me for daring to continue my journey to school in this bad weather, she ironed my dress. Soon I had a nice, dry dress to wear and she sent me back into my class-room, explaining my predicament to the class teacher.

At the end of that year's Christmas pageant, I was chosen to be an angel with my very own halo and wings. It was largely thanks to Moksi Leong's selection.

To this very day, I remember Moksi Leong and her act of kindness to me and reaching across racial barriers to befriend me. Years later, I happened to go back to see her but she was no more there. By now, she must have passed away too, but I shan't forget her sweet smile ever!!