Why is my dad the best dad in the world?

Today, I’d like to share a story with you. A real life story that I experienced a few years back when I was doing some voluntary work at a family support group to help poor children with English language tuition. I was taking a class of Primary 2 children and I was coaching them on Composition Writing.

The topic that I gave the children was, “Why is my father the best father in the world?”…. I thought this would be a very easy topic to start the children on their writing skills because there will be loads to write on. I gave the children 15 minutes to write as many sentences about the topic as possible.

As the clock ticked away, I observed the children. Some were enthusiastic and writing profusely to beat the 15 minutes timeline. Some were struggling to find the right spelling or words to describe what they want to say.

However, there was one child (Chee Seng) that just sat there. He looked very uneasy and he is not writing and I know why. Chee Seng’s dad is an alcoholic with a long history abusive behaviour against his mother. He’s also a gambler that often gamble away all the money meant for the family. So I understand that this must be a very difficult topic for him to write about.

The 15 minutes was soon up and I made each child bring what they had written and read it out loud before I correct their spelling, grammar, etc.. and returning their assessment back to them.

Most of the children’s composition about the dad came as I expected…. Because he buys me toys... Because he brings us for holidays... Because he is the best cook… Because he plays with me… Because… Because…. Because… and the list goes on.

Soon it was Chee Seng’s turn. He came up and his paper didn’t seem to have much on it. Only one sentence… and that one sentence almost made me cry… He wrote, “My father is the best father in the world because I love him.”

So guys, I hope this sharing will somehow inspire you to do some soul searching. Chee Seng regards his father as the best in the world despite the alcoholic, the abusive bully and the gambler that his dad was. Do you regard your parents as the best parents in the world?