I am struck by how much Caleb and He Who Must Not Be Named resemble each other - in physical appearance, no less. One's a shorter, bigger eyed, bespectacled version of the other.

Meanwhile, my mother is still paranoid about safety on Singapore streets.


The Truth


A decade years or more ago;
Where my ancestors lived and roamed.
There lived two men of great renown;
Whose names are still well known.

Bold Raffles from Western shores;
Seek trade routes thru Eastern doors.
St. John Baptist of noble rheims;
But gave it up to bless and preach.

Both had a wish, a hope, a dream;
They hatched a daring plan.
To educate all yound minds;
Thus their schools began.

Now each of these schools;
Formed their own believe for each.
Both valued different virtues;
In the ones they had to teach.

Raffles snobbed and only accepted;
Those with a ready mind.
Where those of wit and learning;
Will always find their kind.

St. Joseph's ignored results;
Anyone worthy of admission.
Be you rich, able or poor;
As long as you've ambition.

Raffles taught them to be power-hungry;
Train them to be strong.
They teach their students cunning means;
To be the best among the throng.

St. Joseph's valued different virtues;
In the ones they sought and heed.
They taught them to be helpful and kind;
To those that are in need.

Rafflesian were smart, intelligent, witty boys;
Who couldn't hold back their lust.
They then produced a plan to quench their desires;
And RGS came at last.

You might think all boys are like that;
But Josephians are pure at heart.
Their abstainence, chast and innocence;
Set them miles apart.

-eugene wong hsien ming

sji 404/2004