PSLE: A Stranger

Pictures: Wallet, A box of chocolate, A car

  

The mall was bustling with life.  Busy shoppers were milling around for the best bargains.  Prices were slashed ridiculously low for Christmas was around the corner. “Boy, follow me closely while I shop,” Janice instructed her five-year-old, Jenson, sternly.   “Remember, never talk to strangers,” she continued as her eyes scanned the shelves for items on promotion.  

As usual, Jenson followed closely behind, pushing and shoving as he tagged along nearby.  He would not want to lose his mother in a crowd of giants.  Unknown to him, a stranger was watching him quietly.  His malicious eyes slitted as he wondered when he should strike.  The box of chocolate in his hand always worked.  Jenson was browsing as he waited for his mom to make some purchase at the frozen meat section.  She was having an animated conversation with her favourite butcher.

It was the perfect time to strike.  The tall and slender man with gold-rimmed glasses approached Jenson.  “Hey there, would you like to have some chocolate,” he asked in his saccharine voice.

“I’ve just had my teeth fixed and cannot eat them,” he spoke with a disappointing frown, his metallic braces sparkling in the light.

Jenson’s eyes widened in delight at the unexpected offer.  Chocolate was his favourite!  He could eat them all day.  Unable to resist the temptation, his chubby hand took the first one.  It was an almond-flavoured one.  Yum!  Next was the green tea flavour... Before long, he realized that he had finished the whole box.  His face immediately sulked when there was nothing left. 

The stranger smiled.

“Would you like more?” he asked. 

Jenson nodded his head furiously, throwing his mother’s ingrained warning out of his mind.  “Come, follow me.  My car is full of chocolate candies.  It is almost like a candy shop,” he chuckled and stretched out his strong muscular hand.

Without hesitation, Jenson clasped his palm tightly and they made way for the exit.

Meanwhile, Janice was at the cashier.  She had half-forgotten about his little boy and started scanning the sea of faces for her darling boy.  He was nowhere in sight!  Her face turned ghastly pale and trepidation rose within her.  Where could Jenson be?

Fortunately, she caught a glimpse of Jenson’s yellow batman T-shirt.  A stranger was leading him to a parked car just in front of the supermarket.  “Hey, stop right there!” she yelled at the top of her lungs.

The whole world froze in a fleeting second.  Two security guards put two and two together and rushed to the rescue.  It was a child abductor in action!  One guard threw himself before the car and the other wrestled the tall stranger to the ground.  It was a fierce tussle as the poor boy stared in bewilderment.  What was going on?

Meanwhile, more security guards rushed to the scene and they managed to subdue the wicked man.  The police were immediately summoned.

Janice stared at his son.  She was livid.  What a foolish boy she had!  Jenson knew he was in serious trouble.  He had never seen his mother so furious before.  She was like a volcano that had just erupted.  Her whole face was red like a tomato.  Jenson dragged himself towards his mother.  He was ready for an earful.  Instead, Janice knelt before him and embraced him, her eyes gushing with tears.

“Mummy, I am sorry I made you cry!  He was just trying to give me more chocolate. I promise never to follow strangers again,” his little voice spoke.  Waves of relief flooded Janice.  She was so thankful to have her son back.