A Helpless and Hopeful Day (4B Tang Cheuk Ting Raymond)

      When it came to the second term of Primary 6, I had to attend an interview at the secondary school I would like to enroll. I’d been preparing for the interview for more than a month. It was a big day. I was anxious but excited when I thought of studying at the school.

       After packing the things for the interview, I headed for the school. As usual, I walked along the street and waited for the bus. All of a sudden, a middle-aged man in front of me fell from his wheelchair. At that moment, I doubted whether I should help him. If I gave him a hand, I must miss the bus. I hence couldn’t attend the interview. However, the man seemed to be injured and I decided to help him eventually. I pulled him up from the ground to sit on his wheelchair and sent him to the hospital nearby. On the way to the hospital, I regretted helping him.
       
      “Hey, little boy, Thank you for your kindness!” the man said.

        “Not at all, sir,” I replied.

        “What’s your name, boy? Where were you going to?”

        “I’m Raymond. I was on my way to a secondary school. I’m attending the enrolment interview in half an hour.”

         “Sorry, Raymond! I’ve held you up. Hope you won’t miss the interview,” the man said with a smile.

          I ran to the school from the hospital immediately and kept feeling regretful. When I reached the interview room at the school, the teachers were tidying up their documents. My heart broke. I’d wasted my efforts on the preparation! “What I’ve been doing is just for today!” I groaned to myself. I knew I had no chance to attend the interview at that school. I dropped my head and walked towards the school gate slowly with tears. I’d never felt as hopeless as this moment. When I was about to step out of the campus, I saw a man sitting on a wheelchair. He was the man I’d helped in the morning!

         “Why don’t you come with me? Don’t you come for the interview?” the man suggested.

         I was shocked and piped up, “What? Interview? I’ve missed it!”

         “Come quickly! I’ve got so many things to do!” he urged me.
 
         Suddenly, I felt hopeful again. I didn’t realize he was the Principal of that school. And now he was going to interview me. It was my pleasure!

         After the interview, I’ve learnt from this encounter. Although I seem to miss an important thing when I do something meaningful, I won’t lose in the end.