My Favourite Teacher

Watching Mr Lim get into his car is educational; and watching him get out of it is
even more so. Mr Lim, the teacher of Secondary 1, weighs more than a 100 kg and his car is
an old mini.

At first sight one would think that it would be impossible for him to get in; but he
does so with amazing agility and grace. No sooner does he get out of the car when we see a
flock of school children running to greet him as if he were a film star. He will then make
his entry into his classroom like a VIP on a visit.

As he walks he answers the various questions thrown at him from his young
companions. Most of them are students from his present class, but some are his old
students. They just happened to be around when Mr Lim arrived and they could not resist
running to him.

Mr Lim is the oldest teacher in the school and has been teaching there since its
founding in 1955. He has been teaching Secondary 1 for all these years and has taught
thousands of students. Among the students he has taught are several top civil servants,
two army generals, two cabinet ministers and our school principal. In spite of all his
achievements, what makes Mr Lim my favourite teacher, and the favourite teacher to
many others too, is the fact that he really cares. He cares about all of us equally. He does
more than just teach us.

He knows all his students and ex-students by name and delves into all our personal
lives. He can tell with a look that we are unhappy about something. He will then take us
aside and talk. He will get to the root of the problem, even seeing the principal or our
parents if need be. He will not stop until the problem, whatever it is, is solved and he does
it in all sincerity — without expecting anything in return. Is there any wonder then that we
all love him?

My Best Friend
Aminah is my best friend in school. She is a fair, pretty girl with dimpled cheeks. She andI
first met at kindergarten and we became great friends. She is kind, jolly and helpful. We
are classmates again this year and we go to school together every morning.

Aminah likes to joke and play games. She lives near my house. In the evenings, we usually
meet at my house. We sit in the garden and read story books. She is good at Mathematics.
So, whenever I find difficulties in my Mathematics homework, I would ask her to help me.
Sometimes, when my parents go out in the evening, she comes over to keep me company
and we watch television together. That way I do not feel lonely.

I hope Aminah and I will be in the same class again next year. I like her very much andshe
is my best friend.

My Pets

I have two pretty birds as pets. They are green-and-blue budgies. Their home is a shady
tree in the garden where they are free to fly from branch to branch. Yet they are safe
from the cat as the whole tree is inside a wire enclosure. I have nailed a wooden box on
thetree. This is their 'nest' where they sleep at night and where they find shelter
whenever it rains.

My pets are called 'Polly' and 'Sally'. They enjoy flying about among the branches and they
chirp happily all day long. Every morning, I feed them with bird seed and give them a bowl
of water to drink. I also clean their 'nest'.

They are pretty birds and I like to watch their movements. I find them cheery

and lively,so I never feel dull spending my time with them. I love my pets very much.
Junk Food
Junk food comes in many colours, flavours and types of packaging. Most of it
contains very little nutrition.

Some are in the form of drinks and others in the form of food and snacks. The
drinks are usually colorful and contain a lot of sugar. These drinks can cause diabetes and
hyperactivity. Many school kids arc addicted to these drinks and this has become a big
problem to our health care system.

Burgers and fries are another form of junk food that has caught on here. They
originate from western countries where the lifestyles need fast and convenient food that
is usually fried and coated in sauces. These types of food, which include fried chicken and
beef usually have high salt content. This paired with sweet colas is a recipe for disaster.
They can lead to obesity and heart disease.

Other forms of junk food arc preserved fruits. They usually come from China and
arc known to contain preservatives, artificial colouring and lots of salt or sugar. These
preserved snacks are linked to allergies and cancer. Some food colouring can cause asthma.
Almost all junk food is linked to obesity as it is high in carbohydrate.

When we mention junk food, the doughnut is one famous example. They are usually
coated, glazed and covered in chocolate, sugar and all sorts of unhealthy colourful
toppings. They are not cheap either. So it is an expensive way to diabetes and obesity.
Another worrying example of junk food that is widely available is candy. Candies of all
colours and shapes, flavours and wrappings are found almost everywhere. They are usually
cheap and sold in places where there are children and schools. These candies arc found to
contain banned substances such as flavouring and colouring. Most are made from sugar and
starch. Some have been banned by the Ministry of Health.

In conclusion, we must educate the public of this huge threat to our health. The
younger generation must be informed of the danger and laws must be formulated to lessen
the damage it causes.
AN UNFORGETTABLE INCIDENT (1)

When I was young, I was very active and always got into trouble. Almost every
day, I returned home from the kindergarten with dirty pants and shoes.

One day, during kindergarten playtime, I had a slight stomachache. At first I

The teacher informed my parents about it. I was rushed to the hospital. The doctor
started to check for broken bones but there were none. Then the doctor pressed
my abdomen. I screamed. My parents were told that I had appendicitis and not
broken bones. I had to go for an immediate operation.

When I woke up the next day, I was relieved that the terrible pain was gone. My
grandparents and relatives came to visit me. I enjoyed the attention and was
discharged two days later.

My parents told me that the incident gave them the greatest scare of their lives.
That is the incident that I will never forget.
A Road Accident

Road accidents are reported in newspaper and on television every day. There
are more frequently caused by reckless drivers rather than faulty vehicles. Last
Saturday, while I was travelling from Ipoh, I witnessed a serious accident. The scene of
the accidents was vivid in my mind.

A motorcyclist was following behind was taxi very closely. He was so impatient
that he was trying to overtake my taxi even near a sharp bend. At that critical moment,
there was an oncoming car. The taxi driver swerved to the roadside and I got a terrible
jolt. It was too late for the motorcyclist to avoid the car. His motorcycle ran against the
bumper of the car and smashed its windscreen. The motorcyclist somersaulted over the
car and was found lying in a pool of blood. It was a scene to chill the flesh! The car
driver, who was cut by the flying glass, was in a state of shock. All that happened in split
second and fear overwhelmed us.

The taxi driver stopped his taxi and I quickly ran to the nearest to the nearest
telephone booth to inform the police and the hospital. From a distance I could see some
people trying to help the injured motorcyclist and the car driver. They carried them into
one of the onlooker’s car and sent them to the hospital for treatment. Meanwhile the taxi
driver tried to control and directs the traffic. Soon the police arrived and they promptly
took some measurements and evidence. After that they moved the damaged car and
the motorcycle to the roadside to ease the traffic congestion. They also took down the
evidence provided by witnesses and onlookers. Some sweepers were clearing the
debris and the blood stains on the road.

When the taxi finally continued the journey, I silently thanked God for my narrow
escape. I learned a good lesson that impatience and recklessness would bring harm
and danger. I was happy to see that Malaysians are public-spirited and they render help
to others readily. Since then I remember and follow the saying ‘more haste less speed’
and ‘prevention is better than cure’. I believe good road manners and roads safety
campaigns can help to reduce the number of road accidents which cause injuries, loss
and lives and properties.
The Night Market
One of the most interesting places in Malaysia is the night market. You may visit and
experience the night market yourselves. Both locals and foreigners agree that the night
market is the most common feature in the local society.

The night market begins when the vendors arrive in the late afternoon. More and more
goods laden vans arrive to begin a brisk day of business. Most of the vendors busily set
out to set up their stalls respectively in order to get ready for a brisk day of business.

The sun gradually sets and the night market picks up momentum. More cars and vans
are arriving. By now, the stalls are neatly and strategically arranged to entice their
customers. There is an assortment of goods sold ranging from food, toys and clothes, to
name a few. A variety of goods is sold at low prices.

Large rainbow-coloured parasols are used to shade the people from rain and shine. A
concoction of blaring music can be heard in the night market background amidst the
constant shouting. It is an amazing kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, smells and colours.

The night market is known as a haven by local ‘gourmets’ who can enjoy various kinds
of mouth-watering local cuisine. Still more people arrive, they come from all walks of life,
mingling freely and harmoniously. Crowds are walking up and down in an endless
stream. Some of them are stopping by the stalls and haggling before making purchases.
Little children tag along, amused and excited. Sprinklings of tourists join in to
experience the lifestyle of typical Malaysian folks.

When night falls, lighted lamps brighten up the place, they add gaiety to this
atmosphere, and it is like a funfair. The night wears on and the traffic of people recedes.
Vendors get a chance to rest their weary legs besides bantering with each other.

By 10.00 pm, all the stalls call it a day. The vendors pack up and close the van doors.
One by one, they leave, leaving behind pieces of papers, plastic bags and discarded
boxes. It us an eyesore! Finally, the night market disappears. The place becomes quite
and still once more.
Why Should We Have Good Manners ?

Good manners are important to live happily among people. Without good manners we
are only slightly better than animals.

The modern society consists of more people than it did in the past. These people are of
various cultural, racial, religious and professional backgrounds. It therefore requires great
powers of endurance and abilities of mixing with people. Good manners enable one to
tolerate the disagreeable attitudes of others to a great extent. They also help to promote
friendship among the people around.

If one has good manners, that person is respected by those who associate with him or
her. Having good manners, however, does not mean that being polite, understanding,
and sympathetic when not only outside but also inside his or her home. There are many
people who are very kind and polite to people outside their homes, but within their own
homes they are worse than the devil himself. Such people do not really have good
manners.

Having good manners means being good to others. Our speech and habits as well as our
behavior should not hurt the feelings of others or cause them any inconvenience. We
should not also talk ill about others or boast about our achievements or personal
possessions. We must not laugh at the weaknesses and failures of others. Further, if we
are angry we must try to use words in such a way that others are not offended.

If we have all these qualities, we will have more friends and well-wishers. We will also
have less trouble from others, and those who associate with us will also learn how to
behave well. In this way, our good manners will help to spread better understanding and
good-will among others. Thus, we can live a happier life. It is for all these reasons that we
should have good manners.