His wearing so little became a laughing stock among his mates, who said Ming wanted to show off his figure to the girls. Their jokes pissed Ming off.

Upset, Freda and I were at a loss where to turn next to get our homework done.

Stuck in the rut, I am sometimes cast under the illusion that life is meaningless, for every day is a replica of every other day.

Carpentry was backbreaking labour. The most gruelling part was to saw a log into planks.

I had a special time this year because of the atmosphere created by the new house.

One of their players, a boy wearing the No 2 jersey, never failed to pre-empt our players when the ball came along. I could not help but curse him a lot when that was happening. I was so loud that I thought he even heard my obscenities.

Seated by the crackling fire, stoking it with twigs and grass, I was basking both in the warmth of the blaze and in the glory of queenhood.

I found that once work started, Jim sat there like a tree stump.

As I was chalking on the board, the whole class burst into roars of laughter. Mr Wang was laughing so hard that he was holding his sides. In plain sight, my monstrous finger made an exhibition of itself.

If you want to achieve, buddy, do not let a precious fleeting opportunity slip by because of your hesitancy. Seize it.