It was a hot afternoon and a usual working day.  I went into the classroom and switched on the air-conditioner.  Some of the kids who have arrived earlier sat in the classroom and began to talk to each other.  I went to get some books and prepare for the lesson afterwards.  When I got back, one of the girls came and told me that CJ (happened to be the same short form as Colin Jong ) was crying.  I thought, oh well, it must be those, ‘he took my pencil’ or ‘he said that I’m fatty’ thingy.  However, to my surprise, it was something else this time.

Lincoln happened to be there quite early that day.  He is not usually.  And what happened was, he and CJ were talking.  CJ showed him this nice lolly pop that he brought from the shop downstairs and Lincoln opened and threatened to eat it.  CJ started crying because he prepared to enjoy it during recess.  So, I calmed everybody down and asked Lincoln why he did it in the first place.  He said he was just trying to fool CJ but didn’t know CJ would react like that.

I thought Lincoln was just plain naughty but when I asked if he would feel good if someone did the same thing to him, his answer to me was a surprise.  He said that he is not afraid if someone do that to him because he will fight back and stand up for himself.  He added that if someone is showing him kindness, there must be something hidden behind.  Maybe he will be asked for something in return.  In short, I think he meant that, to him, people treat him with kindness with a purpose.

I made Lincoln apologize to CJ.  Well, kids will always be kids, Lincoln and CJ were talking to each other again like buddies after that.  But what Lincoln said strikes me.  Let’s think deep…isn’t what he said reflects the situations in our society?  A child has lost confident in a person’s kindness.  I think that is sad.  It is such a fine line between trust and betrayal.  CJ showed Lincoln his precious lolly pop because he trusted Lincoln to share and protect it but Lincoln betrayed him by what he has done.  Have you been sincere today?