Running Out Of Water

My son phoned home grumbling and complaining: there was no water supply in his area. He had not taken bath for a day and he was miserable and depressing in his second day's ordeal.

My wife consoled and comforted him, knowing for sure how to deal with her son in his time of need. I eavesdropped and chuckled, another training ground for the young man, I thought to myself.

It is not uncommon in my country to run out of water at short notice. It is okay for families with ready tank water, well water, or river water, though it can be inconvenience and painful. But for a learning institution to run out of water, the implication and effect is definitely more dramatic and intense.

I remembered two years ago when my eldest daughter phoned her mother with the same problem. She cried and yelled and screamed.

Children are like that. They want everything to be readily provided for; they find them in their home and are satisfied.

Now they are on their own, meeting their needs and wants with their own means. Some they can handle well, some they need guidance and direction, some they need counseling and encouragement.......

It is fun and exciting to see the children grow up. It is painful and hurting to hear them grumbling and complaining. Nevertheless, that is the price of growing up; we have to take on heavier responsibilities, and make bigger and tougher decisions.

I had a sweet and nice bath, but I couldn’t help laughing at my son.

By 7 in the evening, my wife phoned her son again.

He had finally taken his bath!