PSLE: Shoplifting

“I have to do it!” a voice just kept on reverberating in my head.  I was at a minimart and had not been eating for two days. I was starving as I stared at the noodle packet that stood like a shiny trophy.   Should I really steal the instant noodles? Life had been difficult for me. I was left in an orphanage since I was born, as my parents had died in a traffic accident. Bullied by the older kids, I ran away from the orphanage. Since then, I had been living on the streets, sometimes even the toilet cubicles.

“I will do it!” I decided. I was waiting eagerly for the golden opportunity to steal the instant noodles that was beckoning me to take it.  

“Is that’s all you want to buy?” chirped the podgy shopkeeper.

He was talking to an old wiry woman. Here was my chance! My stomach churned again. Clutching my abdomen, my hand reached for it.  Then, I hesitated. What if I really got caught? My stomach groaned loudly again.  I mustered all my courage and grabbed the instant noodles. “Hey son, what are you doing?” boomed the shopkeeper. Without hesitation, I took to my heels and fled. The shopkeeper dashed off and ran as fast as his legs could carry him. My heart was pounding wildly. After a relentless run, the chubby man could not catch up. I decided to turn back and look at him. I saw daggers in his eyes “Boy, you naughty brat, stop right there,” hollered the shopkeeper

The shopkeeper huffed and puffed loudly, giving chase again.  His belly bounced up and down.   I could not let him catch me red-handed!  I would end up in the orphanage again!  Thinking on my toes, a brainwave struck me. Cross the road! Immediately, I dashed across the busy road. The black Mercedes Benz was whizzing towards me. Upon seeing what the speeding vehicle, my legs stood rooted to the ground. My heart pounded like African drums and my face turned as white as a sheet of paper.

All of a sudden, the quick-witted shopkeeper shoved himself and me onto the grass patch. Knowing that I could no longer escape scot-free, I pleaded, “Please let me off Mister. I am homeless, I have no family. I was very hungry at that time. I am sorry.”

“Son, are you okay? What were you doing? It’s so dangerous. You shouldn’t have done such a silly thing.  You could have gotten yourself killed!” The shopkeeper warned, feeling sorry for me.

The shopkeeper then brought me back to the shop and opened three packets of noodles for me to eat. I gobbled it up, with tears streaming down my cheeks.  The shopkeeper, also known as Mr Scott, decided to let me stay with him.  I helped with the chores and he later became my foster parent. Since then, I finally have a home of my own.

(Written by Raeann Lee, P5)  Modified by The Learning Workshop