What Has Mao Got To Do With You?

“Hello Daniel. This is Seng Keng,” Lim Seng Keng comes a calling after he and Daniel had got themselves reacquainted at the Trafalgar Square. Daniel opens the door and is pleasantly surprised to see not only Seng Keng but also fellow Malaysians and former classmates, Johar and Muthu. “Hi Johar, Muthu! I am so glad to see both you here in London”, Daniel exchanged pleasantries with his friends. He then promptly leads them to the lounge and proceeds to boil water and serves them English tea and biscuits he bought from Marks & Spenser.
Although Daniel and Lim Seng Keng were classmates in the Fifth Form, they were not particularly close. Daniel at the time was heavily into the pop culture scene in KL, experiencing it with his band mates and at the same time falling head over heels in love with Janet. Lim Seng Keng was a studious student who consistently achieved good grades in class tests and exams. Teachers would heap praises on him and he quickly became the role model to other students in school. For Seng Keng comes from a very ordinarily humble background. His father came from China to seek a better life for his family. He worked as a waiter in the Majestic Hotel, leaving 3-year old Seng Keng and his mother behind. Seng Keng is the only child. After working in the hotel for two years and saving enough money, his father sent for his wife and son to join him in Malaya. Mother and son came by sea in a dilapidated Chinese junk and had to endure perilous weather conditions before reaching Kuala Lumpur to be reunited with his father. His mother also found work in the hotel. She worked as a laundry lady; basically washing and ironing the clothes of the hotel guests. They lived in the workers’ quarters situated behind the hotel. Sometimes, Seng Keng has to help out to supplement the family’s meager income, especially during festive periods such Christmas and New Year when the hotel organized midnight balls and dances for the British soldiers and officers serving in Malaya. The hotel needed extra hands to serve the guests and so Seng Keng would readily volunteer to wait at the tables. Despite his underprivileged situation, Seng Keng was a disciplined lad and determined to focus on his studies to achieve good results, much to the admiration of his teachers. His background also attracted the attention of one certain British foreign diplomat who was serving in Malaya at the time. The diplomat took a liking to Seng Keng. Maybe he took pity on him or perhaps it was because out of all the hotel workers, Seng Keng was the only one who could converse in understandable English with him when he went to the hotel for dinner functions. He was often invited to the home of the British diplomat and he quickly cemented strong friendships with the diplomat’s four young children, especially with his eldest teenage daughter. No wonder Seng Keng’s view of the world was dictated by all things British. Instead of going home after classes, he would often head straight to the British Library at Federal Hill. The Library was practically his second home. He would read English novels, English magazines and newspapers from England. Classmates would turn to him for general knowledge on Great Britain. Daniel particularly remembers Seng Keng has very good and impressive knowledge on British military planes, especially those employed in the World War II. His particular interest was in the Supermarine Spitfire which was a British single-seat fighter plane used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout WW II. He took great pride in showing off his knowledge on this particularly fighter plane. He would cut out images and drawings of the Spitfire from magazines and newspapers and show them to his classmates. He took great pride in explaining to his classmates that the Spitfire was the best short range high performance interceptor aircraft as it could perform a higher top speed than other fighter planes at the time which was the reason why Spitfire has been successful in carrying out the mission of home defence against enemy bombers. Seng Keng was the one who could explain with almost an authority the difference between a fighter plane and a bomber plane. At the time, Seng Keng was often seen with the pretty white teenage daughter of the British diplomat. They often went to the British Library together. On a few occasions, Seng Keng brought her to the school to watch the school’s debates and concerts, much to the envy of his classmates. They were also seen holding hands and talking intimately with each other. As expected, Seng Keng scored grade 1 at his Form 5 Cambridge exams. He was nowhere to be seen after that. Later, Daniel learnt from his close friend that Seng Keng has gone to study in London.
“Why study so hard for a degree Daniel?”, Seng Keng asks. “Is it because you want to have a well paid job so that you can accumulate wealth and fame? Do you know that the vast majority of peoples in the world are the poor workers and they are being exploited by the bourgeoisie?”, he continues. “No. Not really. I always like history, especially the study of human behavior . I also like archaeology, the skeletal remains of humans and animals buried underneath the earth reveal very interesting theories on evolution and about ourselves”, Daniel replies in defence. “ This is capitalist thinking, Daniel. You should go to the masses, be with the masses, and be part of the masses. If you like to study humanity, then you should know that throughout history, men accumulated wealth through exploitation of the working class, the proletariat. A country’s economy is controlled by few filthy rich men. They live in opulence and privileges while the larger population live in poverty and hardship. Communism is the only legitimate political system that could save the world from decay, corruption and injustice. We need a cultural revolution like what is happening in China,” Seng Keng preaches, not paying attention to what Daniel has said. “What about both of you? What is your ideology?” Daniel turns round to ask Johar and Muthu. “My father sent me here to study accountancy so that I could one day take over his business”, Muthu answers. “But, this is not the life I want. The good life should be the common good for all. Capitalism is shallow.”, Muthu reveals histhought. “Well, I have a government scholarship to study law. I not sure if I want to go home after I have finished my law studies. I am thinking of going to China to experience and learn about class struggle there. Like China, our country also has two social classes, i.e. the proletariat and the capitalists. We need a revolution that would lead to a socialist society in which the proletariat should control the state and its economy; a workers' democracy instead of bourgeois dictatorship”, it is Johar’s turn to give his views. “Gosh, how they have changed”, Daniel thinks to himself. The three of them then bid goodbye to Daniel. Seng Keng then slipped a copy of Chairman Mao’s Thoughts into Daniel pocket on his way out. Daniel’s interest was aroused by the ideology propounded by his friends. He started to read books and conducting research on political ideologies between capitalism and communism. He reads Karl Max and of course the Little Red Book left by Seng Keng. He is fascinated by Mao’s famed Long March and his eventual victory in turning a corrupt capitalist China into a communist state for the benefit of the proletariat which is a role model for many third world countries. One day Daniel called up Seng Keng and invited him for dinner a Chinese restaurant in China Town. “ Seng Keng, you have changed a lot since I last saw you. You used to be a shy introvert but now I see you are very politically minded and speaking your mind. I know you have an English girlfriend when you were in Form 5. How is she? “, Seng Keng asks politely, trying not to show his curiosity. “Well, it’s a long story Daniel. But since you asked, I shall let you know. Yes, I came here to study HND mainly because of her. I loved her so much and it was she who wrote to me and encouraged me to come to study in London so that we could be together again. But, you know what? I had the biggest disappointment in my life when I finally met up with her after arriving London, only to find out that she was going out with an English boy”, Seng Keng relates his story, still feeling the hurt from the look on his face. After dinner, Seng Keng suggested to Daniel to put a night at his flat which he is sharing with Johar and Muthu. It was a small flat with 2 rooms and a tidy lounge. Daniel found out that the flat is actually rented by Johar and Muthum, who occupy a room each. Seng Keng was only temporarily putting up at their place. Seng Keng usually sleeps on the sofa of the lounge. Daniel has to sleep on the lounge floor, with mattress borrowed from Johar. Daniel found out that Seng Keng usually comes home late because he needs to work as a waiter in a Chinese restaurant in order to pay for his tuition fees at the South Bank Polytechnics. They talked some more about class struggle and the communism ideology. Daniel sympathized with Seng Keng’s station in life. He then offers him to come stay with him. He has a big room with two single beds. Seng Kend does not need to pay rent. Seng Keng accepts his invitation. Daniel was impressed by the unselfish idea of sharing a nation’s resources and wealth among her common men and women. No class divide, everyone working for one another, one for all and all for one. How happy are the proletariat, how equal are men and women, how incredibly simple. It’s a utopia! Daniel starts to adorn in Mao’s jacket and Mao’s cap. He holds a copy of ‘The Thoughts of Chairman Mao’ in his hand as he walks round the campus. It gives him an air of enlightenment. He even joins Seng Keng, Johar and Muthu on their weekly visits to other students to try to convince them to believe in class struggle through ‘cultural revolution’.
In due course, Daniel noticed an aspect of Seng Keng’s personality which he tries very hard to overlook. But without much success as he is now living with him in his flat. Seng Keng would get up late in the mornings due to his evening part-time work in the Chinese restaurant. Daniel thought he must be frequently late for his polytechnics. How does he fair in his studies? What reason does he give to his lecturers for his lateness? Daniel often asks himself. For Seng Keng always has this sad scowling look on his face in the morning. The kind of look that expresses as if why him of all the people, who has to struggle throughout all his life, that life has done him wrong, life has done him great injustice, that he deserves better. He also complaints in the mornings. The guests he served the previous night in the restaurant annoyed him. His lecturers who gave him poor marks annoyed him. Fellow students who argue with him annoyed him. Daniel is the type who wants to start his mornings with a smile on his face and a song in his heart. He wants to start his day bright and cheerful. One day Daniel came home and saw a betting ticket on the table next to Seng Keng’s bed. He had bought a 50pence betting ticket with Ladbrokes the bookies . He was betting on a horse race in the weekend. Daniel kept this to himself; he thought Seng Keng did this because he needed the money. Poor soul, he blessed him. However, two weeks passed and one day Daniel decided to come home early from his lecture because he was runner up a fever. He could not concentrate in class and wanted to come home early for a much needed rest. He found the door to his room locked. After knocking it a hard a few times, Seng Keng opened the door. To Daniel’s surprise, he saw a white naked girl in his bed covered underneath his blanket. He had brought home a girl for sex in his room while Daniel was in the university. Out went Seng Keng and out went Daniel’s Mao jacket, Mao’ cap and Chairman Mao’s Little Red Book!

Trafalgar Square 1971

Daniel, Ringano and Shashi, their new friend from the same university faculty are having lunch in a Leicester Square pub. Ringano and Shashi ordered chicken and beef sandwiches with French fries respectively while Daniel ordered a ploughman’s lunch. He likes the thick cheddar cheese with pickle and salads stuffed between a big chunk of crusty bread. For drinks, they prefer the cool, dark brown foamy English bitters. It’s Saturday and the pub is crowded with colourful people of different nationalities, speaking in their own mother tongues. They are mostly tourists from the continent. The atmosphere is friendly and jovial. Sitting on the stools situated near the bar counter are some English youngsters with Arsenal Football Club’s scarves round their necks, passionately discussing football, offering their assessment of the impending derby with arch rival Tottenham Hotspur to held in White Hart Lane in the afternoon. The juke box at the far end corner is belting out ‘Maggie May’ by Rod Steward. Everyone in that corner is singing along …‘Oh Maggie I couldn't have tried anymore. You lured me away from home, just to save you from being alone. You stole my heart and that's what really hurts……’. ‘Maggie May’ expresses the ambivalence and contradictory emotions of a young man involved in a relationship with an older woman. The song was Rod Stewart's first substantial hit as a solo performer which launched his illustrious solo career. In later years, Steward admitted in an interview that the song is a true life story of him having sex for the first time with an older woman. Then someone slotted in a coin for another song after ‘Maggie May’. The feel good atmosphere turned somber with the juke box plays the soulful rendition of “Imagine’ by John Lennon who has recently broken off from the Beatles. ’Imagine there's no heaven…It's easy if you try. No hell below us. Above us only sky. Imagine all the people, living for today….”. The patrons know the lyrics but no one wants to sing it; perhaps they lack the conviction in message of the song. But a group of long hair youth with leather jackets and high heeled boots burst into a sing along when it comes to the lines..’You may say that I'm a dreamer. But I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us. And the world will be as one’. They are the last die hard, happy-go-lucky hippy generation. “Well, I’m done. Let’s get out of here. Let’s take a walk to Trafalgar Square”, Daniel proposes. They have just finished their lunches.
They walk along the embankment, stepping into the summer breeze, savouring the sights and sounds of the summer day in the heart of London. The cinema down the road is showing ‘Escape from the Planet of the Apes’. It is the second sequel to the ‘Planet of the Apes’ movie of 1968. And the cinema at the opposite side of the road is showing ‘Fiddler on the Roof’. It is a musical set in Tsarist Russia in 1905. The story centers around a Jewish father named Tevye who tries to maintain his family and religious traditions from outside influences which encroach upon their lives. Furthermore, he must cope with his three rebellious strong-willed older daughters whose choice of their future husbands move further away from the customs of their faith. The three friends finally reached the Square. Trafalgar Square is a site of significant historic value. It is surrounded by monuments and statutes which also have their individual heritage classifications. At its front is the Nelson’s Column, which is guarded by four lion statues at its base. In the centre is a water fountain. The name commemorates British naval victory of the Napoleonic Wars at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Trafalgar Square is a centre of national democracy and protest. Rallies and demonstrations are frequently held at weekends on a range of political, religious and social issues. The Square is also used as a location for community gatherings, especially the celebration of Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. It is also famous for its feral pigeons and feeding them is a popular activity among the British and visiting tourists alike. No one leaves the Square without taking photos with these pigeons. The surrounding majestic buildings look dirty from droppings made by these pigeons.
There are rallies in difference parts of the Square today. There is a protest rally organized
the National Front at the centre of the Square. The NF as they are popularly referred to is a far right whites- only British political party. It stands for ‘white family values’ with a white nationalist slogan that states “we must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children”. With the decline of the British Empire, Britain's nationalist parties now turned their attention to internal politics. Their protest today is against the British government’s soft immigration policy. Britain, over the past 2 decades have witnessed thousands of people, particularly from India, Pakistan, the Caribbean and Uganda, to come to settle down in the UK. Never in the entire British history has the influx of immigrants into its shores in such a large scale. Far right political groups such as the NF grew increasingly impatient and demand the government to curtail its immigration policy. Later, their rallies would become more vociferous and frequently led to violence. It was during this period that British nationalism and patriotism became linked with violence in the public conscience. “Just look around you today. Our inner cities are contaminated with coloured people. They don’t come alone. They come with their whole families. These people are draining our resources. We have to find jobs for these people have no skills. We have to find them dwelling, no wonder we are now at the bottom of the queue for council flats. The dole queue is full of coloured people. The British government is committing genocide against its own people!”, leader of the party is blasting away his dissatisfaction to the gathering crowd. “What the shit is he talking about? Bloody white racialists!”, Shashi could not contain his anger. Shashi is himself an immigrant from Kenya. His family originated from India and they migrated to Kenya where they found success and fortune from going in business. But their success has also became the object of envy among the locals. The educated and politically minded locals have become disillusioned with them and they question the inequity of their wealth. How can a small group of people control so much of the country’s economy? So, by the generosity of the British government, his family has come to settled down in London. Shashi himself pays only British students fee. Ringano looks at Shashi and offers his view on the protest of the day. “Well, I think we have to look at the practical perspective too”, Ringano turns to talk to Shashi. “Family traditions and values are hard to give up. The British are proud people with the legacy of an Empire behind them. They have centuries old traditions and customs. They see and feel their social system and order are now under threat from large scale immigration of people whom they consider lesser than them for these immigrants and their forefathers were ruled by the British for centuries”…But before Ringano could finish, Daniel asks, “Are you saying that you are condoning what is being said here today, Ring?”. “Oh no. Not at all. I am merely trying to see both sides of an argument”, replies Ringano. “Hey, there is another rally over here. Let’s go check it out”, Shashi is eager to get away from the NF’s rhetoric. The other rally is being carried out in the left centre of the Square. They are youths waving some red-coloured little books and shouting slogans in unison. A student leader, standing on a make shift stool, is holding up the Little Red Book, containing Mao Zedong’s thoughts. “Ladies and gentlemen. The world is unjust because of imperialism and the corrupt capitalists. These bourgeois are living a life of filthy luxuries and corrupt practices while millions are living in poverty. Society is for the common good of men and women. The only way to bring about this common good is through class struggle. The great Chairman Mao teaches us that revolutions and revolutionary wars are inevitable in class society, and without them it is impossible to accomplish any leap in social development.”, the student leader steadfast in his powerful speech in the meantime waving Mao’s Little Red Book, as if it would give him more credence. Then Daniel notices a figure standing next to the student leader who looks familiar. He is wearing a Che Guevara military jacket and with a beret with a silver star on his head, looking every inch a revolutionary fighter. The only difference is he looks oriental and without a moustache. Daniel walks up to him and asks “Are you Seng Keng?’ “Hey, Daniel! What wind has blown you over here?”, in deed it is Seng Keng. Lim Seng Keng is Danie’s class mate in fifth form. They were not particularly close as Daniel was hanging out with the Serenade Boys most of the time and Seng Keng always was usually busy with his studies, going to the British Library. And he seemed to be always in the company of a British family. “ I am studying anthropology in the London University”, Daniel answers. “Give me your house number, Daniel. I will contact you. We shall do some catching up and I will bring along some of our old classmates. I am sure they would be happy to see you too”, Keng Seng says. Daniel wrote down his number in a piece paper and promptly gives it to his former class mate. “Ok. Call me then. I need to head back to the dorm”, Daniel bids him farewell.

Christmas with the Browns

“Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh, hey!…Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. … Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
had a very shiny nose. And if you ever saw him, you would even say it glows. All of the other reindeers used to laugh and call him names. They never let poor Rudolph, join in any reindeer games…. Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright. Round yon Virgin Mother and Child. Holy Infant so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace…..”. Children from the church choir are caroling in the streets, ushering in Christmas Day. They go from door to door singing soulful Christmas carols and the occupants would come out of their homes to offer them food, drinks, chocolates or presents. It is bad luck to send them away empted handed! Stores are brightly lid and beautifully decorated, playing Christmas songs from their loud speakers. The streets are radiantly lit and lined with a kaleidoscope of colourful Christmas decorations. Every household is adorned with a Christmas tree, prominently displayed in the lounges. The spirit and magic of Christmas is in the air. There is a song in the hearts, a good story to tell, a wish we want to make, a present we want to give. A feeling of wanting to share the magic with everyone, especially those dear to us.
Daniel and Ringano are onboard the British Rail on their way to Richmond which lies in South West of London. They are invited by the Browns to spend Christmas with them. Both of them are eagerly looking forward to the event as they had never spent Christmas time in a British home before. Daniel met the Browns quite by accident. It was one sunny Spring day when Daniel decided to take a stroll in the Westminster Park. He sat down on the park bench reading his Daily Mail, admiring the crisp air of Spring and enjoying the peace and serenity of its surroundings. He noticed an elderly British couple sitting on another park bench directly opposite, but not too far away. They have sunken skin and white silvery hair. They must be in their seventies, Daniel thought. They were talking to each other in soft low voice and occasionally the old man would reach out to touch the lady’s forehead as if to push up her flowing hair to take a closer look at her face. What had attracted Daniel’s attention was on seeing the old lady proceeded to pick up some packed sandwiches from the lunch box and began to gently feed the old man sitting next to her. They continued to talk to each other at the same time. Often, the lady would take out some tissues from her coat pocket to wipe away the loose breads hanging from his mouth. The park was full of people with much activities but the elderly couple were lost in the own world, oblivious to the surroundings. What a loving couple, Daniel thought. It must be nice to live old together like that. The old man has wrinkles on his face and his eyes pensive which seemed to be lost deep into his thoughts. There is a melancholy look about him. He wondered what was their story? What story lies behind the lines on their faces? Daniel continued reading his papers, trying hard not to be distracted by the antics of the loving couple opposite. Suddenly he noticed the old lady stood up and walked towards him. “Do you want some sandwiches young man? It’s roast beef with lettuce and tomatoes”, the lady extended her hand, holding a tempting sandwich towards Daniel. “Err..Oh. Ok. Thanks ma’am”, Daniel accepted it hesitantly. “Are you a student? Where are you from?”…and that’s how Daniel came to know Freddy and Kathy Brown. They finally arrived at the Browns’ house. It’s a double-story detached house of tutor architecture with a large garden at the back of the house. They saw some people arrived before them. There is a Chinese couple and an English man and a Chinese lady next to him, holding his arm. In the background there are some children playing some board games. “Come Daniel, Ringano. Let me introduce my folks to you”, Freddy Brown decides to break the ice. “This is my son Charles and his wife Mei Ling. And this is my daughter Elizabeth and her husband Peter. Those children playing over there are their children, my grandchildren”, Freddy Brown introduces his family to Daniel and Ringano. Daniel and Ringano are naturally surprised on hearing the Browns have oriental looking children! They continued to enjoy the occasion without asking questions, but at the same time fighting hard to keep their curiosity at bay. The night is happy and gay. Everyone is having a good time. Dinner is served with a big turkey staffed with puddings and roast lamb, roast beef, mashed and boiled potatoes. There are a variety of alcoholic drinks to compliment the food. The Browns had invited them to stay over night. Elizabeth and her husband and their two children bid farewell. They have to visit her husband’s family on Christmas Day. Charles his wife Mei Ling and their children would be staying for a few days. After that, they would be leaving for Hong Kong. After diner, they sit down beside the fireplace, sipping wine exchanging stories about their countries and the story of the Browns unfolds.
Freddy Brown and Kathy Jones both were born and raised up in Coventry. Freddy is older than Kathy by 2 years. They knew each other since they were babies because their parents were best friends. And they used to take their children long whenever they visited each other’s homes for card games, parties or festivities. Freddy and Kathy went to the same nursery school and later to the same college during their teens. Freddy has eyes for no one else except Kathy Jones. He knew at a very young age that Kathy Jones is his soul mate. They planned to marry when Freddy turned 21. But, their relationship was put to a sudden halt when First World War broke out in 1914. Freddy was 20 years old at the time. Great Britain's dominance of the world was challenged by other powers, notably Germany. The UK was allied with France and Russia, and when the First World War broke out, the British Army sent the British Expeditionary Force to France and Belgium to prevent Germany from occupying these countries. The War would be the most devastating in British military history, with nearly 800,000 men killed and over 2 million wounded. It was no surprise that Freddy Brown was drafted into the army and he experienced front line actions in France. In later life, his mates in Coventry often asked him whether he had killed any enemy in the line of duty. He never gave them a direct answer and only told them that he would never shoot an unarmed soldier. He said he believed that soldiers could still act humane in unhumne circumstances. It was the memory of his beloved Kathy kept him company, especially during nights lying in the trenches in the dark with fright and loneliness crept in, he thought of Kathy. Soldiers doing battles in far away land are a lonely lot and are known to have a good time with the local ladies. Freddy was never unfaithful to Kathy. His greatest anxiety was waiting for Kathy’s letters which reminded him of the life he temporarily left behind and that her love for him is still solid despite the long absence. After the war ended, he came home and immediately proposed to Kathy. They lived a happy life but the only thing missing is they were not blessed with any children. He was working in the British Railways as an engineer and she a nurse. Kathy worked and studied to become a qualified and certificated nurse while Freddy was away. The folks in Coventry adored Kathy. She is known for her astute devotion to her duties as a staff nurse and her selfless attitude towards fellow nurses and patients alike. They admired her hard work and work ethics. She could cycle for miles, often at nights to the homes of the sick and wounded to care for them.
Then the Second World War broke out in 1939 with the invasion of Poland by Germany. Freddy Brown was 45 years old. He and his wife had moved down to London due to his promotion to a position in the headquarters. Much as he would like to volunteer for front line actions, he was considered too old. He continued to work as engineer with the British Railway. In September of 1940, Britain suffered heavy sustained bombings by Nazi Germany. This was the time when Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler wanted to demoralize the British into surrender by fierce bombings which was called ‘The Blitz’. ‘The Blitz’ began with the bombing of London for 76 consecutive nights and quickly spread to other important British military and industrial centres. More than a million houses were destroyed or damaged in London alone. By the end of May 1941, over 43,000 civilians half of them in London had been killed. Kathy was a head nurse attached to the Hackney Hospital. One evening at end of September 1940, Kathy saw many wounded civilians being transported to the hospital beds in Hackney Hospital. A couple of Chinese couple caught her eyes. For they did not moan or move at all, like the rest. They were the victims of bombings that evening. Kathy went over to their beds to check. She found them breathless, their bodies were lifeless. There was not much she could do. They were already dead. Kathy learned from the couple’s injured compatriot lying on the bed next to them that the couple had two young kids at home. He enquired what had become of these kids? The dead couple are known the Chans. They were illegal immigrants from Hong Kong who came to London in search for a better future with the hope that one day they could save enough money and return to Hong Kong. Mr. Chan worked as a cook in a Chinese restaurant in the part of SOHO they called China Town. Mrs. Chan was a waitress in the same restaurant. She stopped waiting at the tables after she became pregnant with their first child. It was a boy. A year later she became pregnant again and this time gave birth to a girl. On that faithful night, Mr. Chan came home after work, carrying with him some leftovers by the customers so that he could give them to his wife for supper. The children were 2 and 3 years old and were asleep. Mrs. Chan came downstairs from their rented council flat to greet her husband. Just as she stepped into the open, a bomb dropped nearby, fatally wounded both of them. The children were instructed by their mother not to come out of their room. They were told to hide behind the cupboard to avoid any bombing. And so they were not harmed. Kathy went home and related the story to Fred. And without entertaining any negative thoughts, they decided to adopt the small children. They learnt that the children were put in the care of an orphanage. They went to the orphanage and after some legal procedures, succeeded to officially adopt the children. The elder child is Charles and the girl is Elizabeth. Now, Daniel knows how the Browns have oriental looking children. The Browns were devoted to their adopted children. Fred often baby sat while Kathy was busy saving lives in the hospital. He changed nappies, fed them and put them to bed. The Browns revolved around old values of honesty , hard work and family. When the children grew up they often asked about their origin. Fred and Kathy never hid the truth from them. They told how their parents were killed during the war and how they were saved from the orphanage. Charles grew up and became a journalist and Elizabeth became a school teacher. Charles’ wife Mei Ling is the daughter of a doctor practicing in Hong Kong. Both of them worked and reside in Hong Kong. They often come home to visit their aging parents, the Browns, especially during festive seasons, ever grateful for their benevolent deeds. “Why Hong Kong? London would offer you more opportunities and you grew up here”, Daniel asks. “I think Hong Kong offers more opportunities and being a Chinese, I could gain access to people and information much more easier than here. Moreover, great changes are taking place in the Far East. It is an exciting prospect for a journalist, especially journalists like me who write about people and societal changes”, Charles explains. “You are welcome to visit us in Hong Kong”, Charles offers.

Phone rings. It’s a call from his father. Daniel has arrived home after spending Christmas with the Browns. “Hi Father. It’s me”, Daniel answers. “I am glad to hear your voice Son. How are you? Are you ok? Still feeling homesick?”, his father is still worried, affected his son’s original outburst when he first arrived in London. “Err…I am ok Dad. I think I am going to like it here…”.