It was one of my favourite pastime when I was in my primary school years, story telling that was. There were 7 of us, that was how the group name The Seven Magpies was coined.Of course, it was also due to the influence of Enid Blyton, our favourite author during those days. Kids of my age who went to English medium schools were exposed to her books throughout our growing up years. The Secret Seven, the Famous Five and the Malory towers series, to name a few of her famous titles.

OF course I was the leader of the pack, The Seven Magpies, that is. We had a lot of time those days, spent outdoors. Of course, back in the early 1960s there was no TV, no computers or any other activities that would tie us to indoors. seven days in a week with 7 different activities each day. And one of the days was story telling.

I don't quite know it, but somehow story telling came quite naturally for me. Sometimes the theme would be on ghost which would get everyone all scared , other times some adventure somewhere that came to my mind at the spur of the moment. But whatever the theme it was, the story was never finished on the same day. Once I was able to get everyone engaged and all ears, I would pause and announced that it be continued on our next story telling day. And that would be in a week's time.And so, everyone would be like anxiously waiting for the outcome of the story!

I am beginning to believe that this story telling thing is in the genes. Just yesterday, I read my daughter Asyikin's essay that she wrote for her English mid term exams. Mind you, she is good. Very good indeed. Her use of words and her of imaginations was incredible.

She had to answer 2 questions, the first was letter writing which was most amusing. Of course, it was very teenager . The second was equally interesting. More interesting than the first. Of course , her use of words and descriptions etc showed the influence of her readings. Just like Enid Blyton's influence on me.

Hmm.... she has been asking me what her career path should be. I don't think I need to say much now. Her dad thinks she ought to try mass communications just like her cousin. Its too early to say. But syikin dear, whatever that you decide, we will give our full support.

Just don't forget, that Paris trip that you promised.

It rained hard today. At about 10 minutes before 5 pm. Cats and dogs it was. But despite that I managed to get out of my workplace. The journey was good but the traffic at the foot of the hills was bad. Roadworks. Never ending. Last month it was the left side of the road that was dug up. Now it the right side. From 3 lanes down to 2 then 1.

Hmm... when are we ever going to be efficient in everything we do.This take-our-time-its-ok-to-stall-traffic--its how -things -are-done-around here- so be -it kind of attitude. Talk about being progressive. I think its more of regressive now.Depressing thoughts.

Just this morning, during our monthly gathering, the head mentioned about how our country has lagged behind in several areas. He mentioned bribery as the number one enemy. Well, it was interesting to note that bribery is just not about money alone. Nepotism is also bribery. Giving favours to important persons is also bribery.Giving priority to your friend is also bribery. I had never thought from that perspective before. Interesting...

In the animal world, one would call it as survival strategies. You want to live, you have got to strategize. Strategize well if you want to live well. Otherwise be contend with whatever that comes along. And its intriguing how people will go through all means just to get what they want. And that glee on their faces when its bullseye. Oh well, the world is definitely a stage. If you play your parts well, applause, applause. You become the primadona of the play, for that particular scene at least.

Until the next better player takes over.

Scene two, take four.