"Papa, don't eat!!!!"

During my trip to Malacca, my family often find it a burden to find a place to eat as there was not much left in that hour and we were partly a little fussy. But when we arrived at a noodle stall, our spirits were heightened as we hopped in to grab our lunch.

The food was good or too good in fact, that I ordered two bowls of steaming hot noodles ease my hunger. When I came to my second bowl, my father was still waiting for his food and was extremely hungry. He then asked me for a spoon of my noodles saying that he would like to try some. Instinctively, I grabbed MY bowl of noodles further away from him as I knew I was still hungry. "You just wait for your own food!" I murmured, and he took his eyes off my bowl.

However, when I returned from the toilet, I realised that my bowl of noodles was with my Dad and that he was about to take a away a few precious strands!

"Papa, don't eat!" I cried out loud before he gulped it down. I went into a rage at the sight of that, my mind was just concerned about my bowl of noodles that I had totally forgotten about my father's starving tummy! Forgotten of how effort he had put in just so that this greedy me could enjoy two scrumptious bowl of noodles!

Now looking back, I truly believe that I did not deserve those bowls of noodles at all. My father had paid for them and not me. Had he worked so hard just so that I could repay him with that, 'Papa, don't eat!"? Do I deserve that kind of luxury?

My father has been working very hard lately just so that my family could have a chance to go on holiday and now I regret for even saying those horrid words. Ultimately, he should have had taken the bowl of noodle away from me but yet he chose not to. He could have gave me a good scolding but yet he chose not to.

But yet he chose not to. Why?

My father truly loves his family and he is always willing to work those extra long hours just so that we are able be to have the writing materials to do homework with, to lose them like no body's business. Just so that we are able to go on a wonderful holiday. Just so that we are able to live such enjoyable and comfortable lives! He wants the best for us, the best of everything to shape my brother and I to be real gentlemen. But what have I been like to him? How have I always treated him?

I feel that i have not behaved in a manner I am supposed to be as a Christian, "honour your parents" has simply slipped out from my mind both constantly and subconsciously. Then how am I going to lead Christian lives in front of others when even the smallest things like honouring your parents have not been constantly put into action! I must change so that I am to be worthy. Worthy of being a Christian, for being a Hwa Chong boy and worthy of being a Hainanese Tan (read my previous blog post to find out more!).

So from now on, "Papa, please eat, as much as you want."