An incident that occured while walking home ( 2nd entry to be marked)

Excitement filled the air. Chinese New Year songs blasted through the loud speakers. I beamed from ear to ear as I strode into the bustling night market. ‘ Come buy! Come buy! A dollar for two!’ screams from stall owners were often heard. Somehow, I loved night markets. This is because night markets often bring life to my quiet neighborhood. The various items sold in night markets are also affordable and the food also tastes fantastic! In fact, whenever I think of night markets, the first thing that strikes my mind is the exotic, mouth watering, Ramly Burgers that taste absolute heavenly!

After half an hour of roaming around the night market, looking at music CDs, colorful clothing and lip smacking glorious food, it was time to return home. I stole a quick glance at my watch. I nearly fainted. It was already 10.30pm! I had to take a short cut to avoid being reprimanded by my parents for returning home at such a late time. I turned around and walked straight towards a long dark deserted alley that would reduce my walking distance by more than half.

When I entered the alley, I started to walk briskly. I always hated walking pass this particular alley at night as it was dark and creepy. The only source of light was the moon.

‘Meow! Erk! Slash!’ Just then, I heard some rather bizarre sounds and cries coming from the back of a rubbish bin. A sudden surge of curiously overtook me. I had a burning anxiety to see what was going on behind that rubbish bin. I slowly crept toward the rubbish bin and took a quick glance.

I froze in shock. Behind the rubbish bin, I witnessed two stray cats ferociously battling over some scarps of leftover food. I stood deep rooted into the ground as I saw how the black stray cat punctured it long sharp claws into the gray cat’s fur. Blood oozed out of the cat’s skin and the gray cat shrieked in pain. However, the gray cat immediately fought back. It used its head to knock the black cat off its feet. The gray cat then drew its claws and prepared to stab the black cat in its stomach. By then, I suddenly snapped out of my trance and quickly kicked the rubbish bin to chase both cats away before anyone of the cats sustain any further injuries.

As I continued to walk through the alley, I reflected on the incident that I had seen. I understood the meaning of the survival of the fittest and strongest. I instantly recalled a story that I read of a few years back…

Two men were stranded on a jungle. They were all hot on their heels as they were running away from an enormous starving tiger. After running for a long time, Jack decided to bend down to tie his shoelaces. Tom also stopped and panted, ‘ Hey! How do you intend to outrun this tiger?’ Jack slowly raised his head and replied, ‘ I do not need to outrun the tiger, all I need is to outrun you! For the slowest man will be eaten.’

Competition is part and parcel of life. We must always strive to be among the fittest and strongest so that we will not be left behind and be content to be with the second best.