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R-r-ring! These goes the daily bell at 10.30 a.m. for
recess. An
audible sigh of relief can be heard in each classroom as the students
immediately rush to the school tuck-shop. Hungry and thirsty
students make straight for the mee-man, the iced-drinks seller or
the curry and rice stall, for many have come to school early in the
morning without any breakfast as there is hardly any time to eat. I find the
stall-holders busy serving food to the students, who are impatient and
sometimes downright rude if the stall-holder is slow in serving them. The
chatter of students, the noise of frying noodles, the chopping up of
ingredients and the delicious smell of food floating in the air contribute
to the typical tuck-shop environment
which makes one hungry and eager to eat the daily snack.
R-r-ring! The unwelcome bell goes at 10.50 a.m. for the students to get
back to class. It is another rush, this time for lessons which begin
promptly and late-comers will be punished. Recess time is a welcome break,
for hungry stomachs are filled and dry throats are refreshed with iced
drinks.
Now the tuck-shop is quiet except for the clatter of plates, glasses and
cups being washed by the stall-holders, who then rest till the next session. |
