The two stories are Hamid and the hand of fate and Paper. In Hamid and the hand of fate, Hamid's mother cared for him when he lost his right arm and was there at the hospital when he woke up. She told Hamid to accept what has happened to him and to recite his declaration of faith. This shows that she is kind and cares for Hamid.
In Paper, Tay Soon's mother- in- law took charge of the situation of Tay Soon getting out of hand when his wife just stood back while watching the terrible change her husband is undergoing. This shows that his mother - in - law is caring and knows what her son - in - law wants.
2) Select two stories in which there is conflict between parent and child, and show how far there is some resolution of these differences at the end of the story.
The two stories are Tanjong Rhu and Lee. In Tanjong Rhu, Mr Li and his mother have conflict. Mr Li always tries to help his mother but his mother always refuses his help. He bought a binoculars once and tried to give it to his mother as a present but his mother said that she did not need it eventhough she cannot see things that are far away. At the end of the story, Mr Li's mother died and Mr Li changed and became more religious.
In the story Lee, she and her father had difficulty in communicating with each other because Lee left with her mother when she was eight - years old. But after the long years, her father tries to make it up to her by trying to be a good father. As the story goes on, the relationship between Lee and her father was much better as compared from the time they met at the airport.
3) With reference to suitable stories, discuss how far changes is shown to be either welcomed, or feared.
The two stories are Corridor and Hamid and the hand of fate. In Corridor, when the grandmother and the neighbour first talked about people who tempered with the water pipes, they had some disagreement. After that, the neighbour avoided her and she never saw them. The family's slippers were sometimes found at the staircase. They suspected this was the way the neighbour retaliated. Finally, the grandmother saw light at the neighbour's home which was a sign they wanted to change.
In Hamid and the hand of fate, Hamid was a construction worker and one day he had an accident that resulted in him losing his right arm. Due to the accident he got money and this led to alot of attention. The money he got changed the way people looked at him. Salmah, his sister - in - law, was one of them. She started talking with him and soon she was asking money from Hamid.
4) How are young people and their ideals presented in two or three stories in the collection? How far do you identify with these young people?
The two stories are Hamid and the hand of fate and Mid - Autumn. In Hamid and the hand of fate, Hamid wanted to help his sister - in - law and gave her his money. He gave her his money to show that he cares. He represents the young people who are kind and helpful to others.
In Mid - Autumn, the author's daughter was a grown up being a spoiled child. But as the story goes on she instead became a better person who wants to help people in other countries. She represents the young people with big inspiration and have the will to fullfill what they want to do.
5) Choose two stories that reveal the thinking of an older generation of Singaporeans. What new insights have you gained from such a revelation.
The two stories are Tanjong Rhu and A Dream of China. In Tanjong Rhu, Mr Li's mother is religious and always remembers the past. She remembers the good times she had with her son and her husband when they lived at Tanjong Rhu.
In A Dream of China, the author's father also remembers the past. He remembers the good things about China and tells it to his children. The older generation of Singapore finds it hard to let go of the past.
