Cookies
I had always found my younger sister a nuisance. She
was a six-year-old toddler who knew nothing and it was troublesome for me to
take care of her. Emily always tried her best to please me but to no avail.
However, there was this incident that changed my opinion of her.
Looking at the gorgeous weather outside the house, how
I wished I could be out too. It was the first week of school vacations and I
was already bored out of my mind, being cooped up at home. Father was at work
and Mother had gone to the supermarket to replenish the groceries. I had to
look after my younger sister, Emily. I groaned in annoyance as I slumped onto
my bed.
Just as my boredom reached its zenith, the telephone
rang. Happy that there were other things to do besides babysitting my younger
sister, I snatched up the receiver. It was my best friend, Jasmine. Settling
down on my bed comfortably, I started to exchange juicy gossip about our
classmates with Jasmine. I was so engrossed in the conversation that I lost
track of time. I did not even realise it when Emily wandered into the kitchen
to look for food.
Meanwhile, Emily scratched her head as she wondered
how to reach for the jar of cookies that was placed high up in the cabinet. Her
eyes shone and a radiant smile lit up her face when she spotted a stool. She
climbed up the counter and opened the cabinet and reached for the jar. Just
when Emily was about to come down, she saw the height between herself and the
floor. With fear welling up in her, her palms grew sweaty and the smooth jar
slipped from her hands. It fell onto the floor and shattered into fragments.
Emily’s face blanched in trepidation as she realised she would be in hot water
for she had been told never to climb in the kitchen.
I was having a whale of a time when the crash of the
jar spoilt my mood. I facepalmed myself and ended the conversation. I went to
the kitchen to see what my troublesome sister had done this time. On seeing my
annoyed face, Emily felt so guilty that she lost her balance and fell onto the
glass shards, as she tried to walk towards me to apologise. She howled in pain
as the sharp glass sliced through her clothes and pierced her flesh. Crimson
flood oozed from the lacerations, staining her clothes. My eyes widened in
terror and without care for my own safety, with only anxiety for Emily, I
dashed towards my sister.
I no longer find my sister a troublemaker. I had to
protect her! Despite the pain I was experiencing, I carried Emily from the
shattered glass and ran to the living room. Just at that moment, Mother
returned. She dropped her bags when she saw Emily wailing like a banshee. Mother
took in what was happening with a single glance. She stared daggers at me as
she cleansed and bandaged Emily’s wounds. She then soothed Emily and got her to
take a nap after calling my father. I was on tenterhooks as I awaited my father’s
return from work. I shuddered as I imagined my father’s reaction. He would be
like a volcano with burning lava coming out and his eyes would be like
lightning striking across the sea. Wow, my father was a volcano and his eyes
had lightning. I must be crazy.
After what seemed like an eternity, my father came
home. Swoosh! The cane sliced through the air as it descended rapidly. Whack! A
stinging pain flared up as it made contact with my tender flesh. I held back
the instinct to rub the area where the cane had landed because I had learnt
from painful experience that a lash across the knuckles was even more agonizing.
I clenched my jaws and bit my lower lips, determined not to cry as angry red
welts marred my skin. After the caning, I hobbled to my room.
Then I stuffed the pillow into my mouth and tried to
stifle my sobs. Finally, the floodgates opened. Suddenly, my door creaked open.
I peeked to see who it was. It was Emily. She wandered over to my side and lay
beside me. ‘I’m sorry, brother…’ Emily mumbled. Tears flowed out from my eyes
even faster. I hugged her tightly. I’ll always love you, Emily. My adorable
sister.
Teo Yee Shuen (Primary 6)
Yishun Primary School
I like this because of the vivid descriptions and the heartfelt love the writer had for his sister which was conveyed in a simple but realistic manner.
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