Friday, June 16, 2006
Chye Meng
Good morning,
The story of Chye Meng
Chye Meng had been a slow starter; he did not talk until he was two years old. But when he did it was as if he had not wanted to. He was fluent and lucid. It was like the less he opens his mouth the more he puts in his brain. After all, his name means talent and brilliance.
And he did his parents proud by topping his class through primary school. They had great hopes in his future. But his parents died in an accident when he was in middle school. His uncle and auntie cared for him for some time. Later they sent him to a distant uncle, Cheng Nam, in Singapore, the island of golden opportunities. Cheng Nam liked the boy and he treated him like his own kin.
Chye Meng was diligent; he worked hard on all his duties. He was frugal, but he did not forget to send part of his allowance to his uncle and auntie. As he grew up he shewed his capabilities and trustworthiness, and he was given more responsibilities. And in time he practically ran his uncle's business. Chye Meng could see business opportunities even in simple things like toilet paper, weed strings, bamboo leaves and other things that came freely from the earth.
Chye Meng also fell in love with his uncle's daughter, Seoh Tiang. His uncle was happy over this and he took a trip to Mountain Head, Swatow, in China, to visit his relatives, to inform and do all the necessary protocols for the wedding. While he was there he was extremely welcomed by Chye Meng's uncle and auntie. They expressed their gratefulness to Cheng Nam for what he had done for Chye Meng, nurturing him and turning him into a very capable and upright man. They also revealed to him that their good life and all that they had had come from Chye Meng.
Cheng Nam went to China a very happy man, but after he witnessed the situation, he was plagued with doubts. That was why he had not been specific, only agreeing to what was proposed about the wedding. He went there to settle the affairs of the wedding, and that had to be adhered to. However, he did not fixed the date with them, only saying that he would confirm with them as soon as he could check that it was an auspicious one.
Back in Singapore, Cheng Nam remained moody and morose. He had not paid Chye Meng that generously and he wondered how Chye Meng could have made his relatives so well off. He was puzzled and occupied with misgivings. He did not talk much about the wedding. He kept searching his brain for an answer.
Not long later, Chye Meng came to him when he was alone. He said, "Uncle, you look morose lately. Is this all because of what you have seen in my adopted parents ' lifestyle ? Please let me explain. They were poor, yet they fed me when I was orphaned. A filial son's duty is to return this care. You've paid me what you thought I deserved and I accepted all this with gratitude. I have lived simply and I am as poor or as rich as when I came. I am very happy because I have all I need. You have practically given me full control of your company; that showed your love and trust in me. I am happy to go on like this. I do not want more. You have treated me like your son, and I will be so as long as I live."
Cheng Nam looked at the young man; he replied, "Look at me son, am I morose ? I have been unable to think of a suitable present and the auspicious date for your wedding, that's all !".
Have a nice day
Ronald
The story of Chye Meng
Chye Meng had been a slow starter; he did not talk until he was two years old. But when he did it was as if he had not wanted to. He was fluent and lucid. It was like the less he opens his mouth the more he puts in his brain. After all, his name means talent and brilliance.
And he did his parents proud by topping his class through primary school. They had great hopes in his future. But his parents died in an accident when he was in middle school. His uncle and auntie cared for him for some time. Later they sent him to a distant uncle, Cheng Nam, in Singapore, the island of golden opportunities. Cheng Nam liked the boy and he treated him like his own kin.
Chye Meng was diligent; he worked hard on all his duties. He was frugal, but he did not forget to send part of his allowance to his uncle and auntie. As he grew up he shewed his capabilities and trustworthiness, and he was given more responsibilities. And in time he practically ran his uncle's business. Chye Meng could see business opportunities even in simple things like toilet paper, weed strings, bamboo leaves and other things that came freely from the earth.
Chye Meng also fell in love with his uncle's daughter, Seoh Tiang. His uncle was happy over this and he took a trip to Mountain Head, Swatow, in China, to visit his relatives, to inform and do all the necessary protocols for the wedding. While he was there he was extremely welcomed by Chye Meng's uncle and auntie. They expressed their gratefulness to Cheng Nam for what he had done for Chye Meng, nurturing him and turning him into a very capable and upright man. They also revealed to him that their good life and all that they had had come from Chye Meng.
Cheng Nam went to China a very happy man, but after he witnessed the situation, he was plagued with doubts. That was why he had not been specific, only agreeing to what was proposed about the wedding. He went there to settle the affairs of the wedding, and that had to be adhered to. However, he did not fixed the date with them, only saying that he would confirm with them as soon as he could check that it was an auspicious one.
Back in Singapore, Cheng Nam remained moody and morose. He had not paid Chye Meng that generously and he wondered how Chye Meng could have made his relatives so well off. He was puzzled and occupied with misgivings. He did not talk much about the wedding. He kept searching his brain for an answer.
Not long later, Chye Meng came to him when he was alone. He said, "Uncle, you look morose lately. Is this all because of what you have seen in my adopted parents ' lifestyle ? Please let me explain. They were poor, yet they fed me when I was orphaned. A filial son's duty is to return this care. You've paid me what you thought I deserved and I accepted all this with gratitude. I have lived simply and I am as poor or as rich as when I came. I am very happy because I have all I need. You have practically given me full control of your company; that showed your love and trust in me. I am happy to go on like this. I do not want more. You have treated me like your son, and I will be so as long as I live."
Cheng Nam looked at the young man; he replied, "Look at me son, am I morose ? I have been unable to think of a suitable present and the auspicious date for your wedding, that's all !".
Have a nice day
Ronald