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.
