Think out of the Box

Many years ago in a small Indian village, a farmer had the misfortune of owing a large sum of money to a female village moneylender. The female village moneylender was old, fat and ugly, fancied the farmer's handsome son, Cliff.

So she proposed a bargain. She said she would forgo the farmer's debt if she could marry his son. Both the farmer and his son were horrified by the proposal.

The cunning female moneylender suggested that they let Providence decide the matter. She told them that she would put a black pebble and a white pebble into an empty moneybag. Then the son would have to pick one pebble from the bag.

If he picked the black pebble he would become her husband and his father's debt would be forgiven. If he picked the white pebble he need not marry her and his father's debt would still be forgiven. But if he refused to pick a pebble, his father would be thrown into jail.

They were standing on a pebble-strewn path in the farmer's field. As they talked, the moneylender bent over to pick up two pebbles. As she picked them up, the sharp-eyed son noticed that she had picked up two black pebbles and put them into the bag. She then asked the son to pick a pebble from the bag.

What would you have done if you were the son? If you were to advise him, what would you have told him?

Careful analysis would produce three possibilities:

The son should refuse to take a pebble.

The son should show that there were two black pebbles in the bag and expose the moneylender as a lying, backstabbing female cheat.

The son should pick a black pebble and sacrifice himself in order to save his father from his debt and imprisonment.

Take a moment to ponder over the story. The above story is used with the hope that it will make us appreciate the difference between lateral and logical thinking.

The son's dilemma cannot be solved with traditional logical thinking. Think of the consequences if he chooses the above logical answers.

Well, here is what he did...

The son put his hand into the moneybag and drew out a pebble. Without looking at it, he fumbled and let it fall onto the pebble-strewn path where it immediately became lost among all the other pebbles.

"Oh, how clumsy of me," he said. "But never mind, if you look into the bag for the one that is left. you will be able to tell which pebble I picked."

Since the remaining pebble is black, it must be assumed that he had picked the white one. And since the moneylender dared not admit her dishonesty, the son changed what seemed an impossible situation into an extremely advantageous one.

Moral of the story:

Most complex problems do have solutions. It is only that we don't attempt to think. A man is but a product of his thoughts.

(Story by M.K. Gandhi)

I have heard of local moneylenders who prefer to waive debts lent to pretty women for sex. Just one of many unscrupulous practices by people who tasted the power of money.

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Looking for a wife?

Just imagine a matchmaker approaches a young man and suggests some introductions. Among the many photos she has, were those below.

I am sure he would be put off with the description, 'a Korean soldier' or 'an Italian soldier' but attracted by 'daddy's little girl'. Imagine what he could have missed and what shock he would have got, had he went along for the first date without checking the photos!

I am reminded of some school jokes of my time, with the following phrases:

I am looking for this:
I don't mind this:
But what is this?

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A grand re-union at my grand nephew's wedding dinner

My son estimated at least 10 tables were occupied by our extended families, despite some absentees who were away overseas, at work or on holiday. Not all in each family attended, for obvious or various reasons. Cheng missed it by just 3 days because she mistook the date my nephew (host) booked for his holidays in Malaysia.

Host's elder brother is already a grandfather since 6 months ago, elevating my status to great grand uncle, even though not yet a grandfather, not even a father-in-law. It is always nice to meet close relatives and catch up on news. Most do not know exactly how many children each family has, let alone their names. This dinner reinforces my view that a wedding dinner should only include immediate and extended families of bridegroom and bride, and friends of the newly-weds. Especially with our large extended families, the inclusion of parents' friends would make it too numerous to have a cosy event. What good is it to have a very large crowd who treat it as a subscription dinner, without any real connection to the people involved?

The dinner was held in Kepong Baru, at the Regal House Restaurant which provided just the right space for the number of people. Its interior decoration was good enough for us, the food suited us, and the MC was a nice young man with a good sense of humour. The karaoke facility was not used at all and this must have been a relief for those who are sick of it, though I believe there were those who wished to sing but were too shy to make the first move. The location amidst some makeshift market and hawker stalls leaves much to be desired but I had no problem finding free parking within walking distance.

To go there, I took the route which was familiar to me, from Section 14: via Hartamas, Jalan Segambut, then towards Bukit Maluri but before that, took a turn to the right to get into Kepong Baru. Thanks to the traffic light junction and the lighted red Denso sign on one of the shophouses to help my navigation at night.

At the end of the dinner, the relatives catching up on news took a long time before they said goodbye to the newlyweds waiting at the entrance. It was past 11.00 pm when we left the restaurant feeling glad.

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Tired of litigation

People are fond of saying, 'You can always sue him for that...', in connection with any serious complaint about someone, or an outstanding debt. Don't count on taking someone to court unless you are aware of the delay expected and the time it will take from commencement to conclusion.

Many people tend to assume that everything is very clearcut, like taking security in a condominium or a gated housing area, for granted.

When we wanted to evict some long term, but monthly tenants, on temporary premises, the first hearing date fixed was one year ahead! From magistrate court to High Court, then to the then Supreme Court, it took five years! Then with a decision in our favour, it took another three years to collect judgment debts, with the end result of bankruptcies adjudicated on eight former tenants and a write-off of almost Rm500,000 in judgment debts. The long drawn process took a heavy toll on me, in terms of disappointment in human relationships and especially empty promises; as well as questioning whether it is worthwhile pursuing anything based on principles and rights, or better to always compromise to get things done instead.

My in-laws too, had their fair share of litigation, involving specific performance of a sale and purchase agreement relating to a land purchase in Kedah. The case went even to the Privy Council in Britain! My sister-in-law, being a lawyer in a big firm, was gungho about it then. My wife looked after the oil palm estate for 26 years and she is quite emotional at the thought of it being history, now that it is awaiting completion of sale.

My brother-in-law (sister's husband, not to be confused with wife's brother) bought a house at an auction in KL, and it took several years to get vacant possession because the owner was aggrieved over the low price. In the process, the lady lawyer got scolded by him, even though we knew she was not at fault, but the inefficient system in the judiciary.

Now, I am quite amused whenever I come across people promising to take someone to court! I am sure the lawyers are more than amused, and thinking aloud, 'Thank God for these quarrelsome folks!'

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Introducing...

the kid who could spell but does not know its meaning, or doesn't he?:

I'm sure drinkers will say he is correct.

The ass family:

The cheapest MPV for 9:

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