When Tragedy Happens

A four years old boy beats his two years old brother to death over a bicycle (news). Their mother left them under the watch of a family friend to go to work at a nearby food stall. Their father works in KL and return home once a month. The family friend was called away when it happened. When tragedies like this happen, one would wonder why? Who's to blame? The busy parents trying to make a living? The parents who bought only 1 bicycle? The family friend who was called away? To do what? Gossip? The boy who don't have enough sense not to fight over something with his sibling?

Well, boys really don't have enough sense. I would know. I have younger brothers who fight like they're the worst enemies to each other when they' were young. Have you seen any wrestling programs? That's how they fought. I can see veins in their neck, teeth gritting, scratches on their hands and bodies and the youngest would be fighting and crying at the same time. When I thought things are getting out of hand I'd shout, "Hah tumbuk-tumbuk! Sepak terajang, biar sampai mati." That would slow them down for a while. Sometimes that didn't work too and I have to go in between to push or pull them apart whichever way works. It is tiring. I don't have my peace until my mom would take over after she has finished with the housework or when she comes back from the market.

I wasn't much older than them but when faced with the responsibility of taking care of my younger siblings, I don't have much choice but to be responsible. Except this boy is only four years old. Even I don't have to take care of my younger siblings when I was four. This has also reminded me of a story told by my mother. It happened a very long time ago. It was in the news at that time. A boy was left alone at home with his baby brother. He got irritated with the rats running around in the attic. He burnt the house down. Later, he was seen looking for something in the ashes with a stick. When asked, he said he's looking for his brother. He covered him with the food cover (maybe 'tudung saji') and wonders why he can't find him now. How can anyone blame him when he has not fully develop his mental capacity. He's older than four years but heck, when I was teaching Standard Five students last time, some of them still believe Ultraman exist.

Children should always be under the watchful eyes of adults. Nowadays there are too many anak kambing around. Yup! 'Anak kambing'! That's how my mom called them. The kids are not at fault actually. They're the kids whose parents didn't bother where they are, whom they're with, whether they have eaten, irregardless of the children's age. It is sad to see very young children walking around the housing area barefooted, without clothes, running around without care, rain or shine. They're from lower-middle class families who can afford to clothes their children properly. Sometimes the mother didn't work but they let the children play anywhere as long as not in the house, making mess and noise. Who should we blame when these kids grow up to be out of control and ill disciplined? Their parents are not fit to be parents themselves.

This is not the ill of lower-middle income families only. Rich families shower their children with money and whatever they want, except time and love. I wonder why they have children at all. And they expect the children to take care of them during old age just because they brought them in this world? I know it's not easy. I'm so tired after coming back from work and I don't have to bother about anything except myself, my dinner and my work the next day. When tragedy like this happens, hopefully people will stop to think about their life, their family and what matters most.