Thus I’m 17

STUDENT PRESS GROUP (SERIES IV)
Thus I’m 17

February 4, 1972

Sixteen candles were blown out twelve months ago. There are just a few days to seventeen and it all comes out of a sudden that I am aware of my being so. I’m no longer in the midst of children now for I’m too “old” to be one of them. It would be better for me to be their “Big Boss”. Thus I become seventeen.

Physically, I’m taller than my mother and my shoulders are strong enough to bear loads that can hardly be moved by my father. Whenever I recall the time of childhood in the bosom of my mother, it’s so soothing and sweet --- all because of my being seventeen.

When I was young, I was living in subjection to my parents. But now, I begin taking part actively in my family affairs. It’s because I feel that these things conern closely with me. When I was still young, my father’s falling sick made no difference to me. However, I begin to understand now and thus know to worry. I really cannot tell when I began knowing to worry. On the other hand, my opinions become valid and have gained status. I must say that I’m becoming important, or rather say, begin seeing my importance in my family. It’s because I understand that I’m the hope of my parents. I’m 17 now.

Why are we in such a poor situation? (Luckily not many of us are aware of this “poor” situation.) Perhaps we are aware of our responsibility over the things that belong to and matters that concern us. Perhaps we understand that we are no longer playing merry-go-round or hide-and-seek but are to face our work genuinely and seriously. Last of all, perhaps we are not told of the meaning of studying in school or maybe we have never thought of the reason for studying here.

No matter we have thought of it or not, the treatment we receive from the Headmaster is “improved”. He’ll no longer show us his long face or shout to us as he does to the Form One kids. Whenever something has gone wrong, he’ll explain clearly what we have forgotten and will suggest some ways to approach the matter not as the one loftily above but as a friend of ours. After all, instead of using “Black Mark” system to enforce the school regulations, he appeals for our cooperation, because, “You’re no longer young kids now. You should begin governing yourselves and should understand that the school is for you and you alone, but not for the supervisor or me.” I understand what he means because I’m already 17 now.

In the parish I live, I begin taking part in the work of the laity associations and find in them pleasures that can only be appreciated by the partakers. After all, I begin making friends of boys and girls. Telling the truth, I suddenly feel that girls are so attractive and it’s a hard thing to abstain from looking at them. Anyhow, I find this sort of community life helpful to my religious life since it provides me with chances for the fulfilment of my belief. On the other hand, whenever I meet people that are strangers to me, they usually address me as Mr. Kwok. That really makes me feel grown up. Well, I don’t suppose I’ll reject such an address for sooner or later, they will give me this title --- Mr. Kwok.

Well, I’m quite sure that to this world, that young kid who had once fancied to become a Superman has vanished and instead of his place, there is a Mr. Kwok whose chin is coverd with hair that he has forgotten to shave. To the presidents in the laity associations, that kid is quite willing to work. To his headmaster, this student is quite cooperative. To his friends, that Alex is too trivial. To his girl friends, that same Alex is just one of their many friends, and to his fellow students, he’s just a rival that can be beaten down easily. But to his parents, this son is too simple-minded and is always reluctant to put on one more piece of clothing. Moreover, after having feared of failing to bring him up, they now begin to worry about his making girl friends in such an early age as seventeen. And …

Thus I’m seventeen now. Surely, changes do not take place suddenly but that it’s I that suddenly realize the changes. I begin to think of my future. What will I be? To be sure, no more Superman.
“A teacher, what about an engineer?” Suggest my parents.
“Alex, what about leading a life as a religious instructor?”
“I would like to be a surgeon, what about you, Alex?” …
Well, who can tell? Who can tell? Nobody can. But I can say one thing for sure, “Prepare yourself well!”
So, I’m 17.

Alex Kwok
CHECSS

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Picture Credit: lowvelder.co.za