I am just an old kelong. Used to remember those days when men would be so pleased with bountiful catches they hauled into the net. As days went by, the catches became less. They transformed me to accommodate more humans who would just come and stay for a few days. I heard that this change could bring more money to my owner. I am now fitted with a spacious room with double decker beds enough to house more than a hundred people. At night I would be well lighted with the many florescence tubes. I am fitted with electrical appliances like fridges and televisions. During certain seasons, the atmosphere is filled with much excitement and activities as people screamed with delight at the fishes they hauled in with their fishing lines or a win at the majong table. Somehow I am also quite pleased with this change as life is no more monotonous as it used to be.
Yes, I am pleased with the glee and scream a little child would give when she reeled in the fishes as her parents encouraged her on. There were sweet moments of remembrance as loving couples sat silently together to gaze at the gentle waves in the open seas. People would find relaxation and satisfaction by just spending some time in this old me. My thoughts went to an old man who would frequently visit me. He has three children and all of them have graduated from the University. One of them is now staying in Europe. All these years he worked hard and even managed to get himself a government job in Singapore. He did not go through much education but he worked hard enough to ensure a good education for his children. He could speak fluent Hokkien. I could see that he was friendly to all who would talk to him. He said once that he wished people would live and just let live. Often times, he would be by himself as if people were shunning him. A different Malay race among the overwhelming Chinese majority maybe or his old appearance caused people to avoid him. At least I can identify with him that we are more than just a hollow appearance of an old kelong.
