This Month Story

This Month’s Story By: Step Up The Winning Story

Wong Lee Shan is an eleven-year-old girl with a younger brother, Teck Jim, who is nine years old. Both Lee Shan and Teck Jim are loved very much by their parents.

Although they are are only 3 years apart, Lee Shan does not like her brother. You see, she had always wanted a sister. When Teck Jim was born, she was disappointed that he was a boy. As a result, Lee Shan paid little or no attention at all to Teck Jim. She rarely plays with her brother, nor does she share her toys or books with him.

“Don’t go into my room! It’s private!” shouted Lee Shan one day when Teck Jim wanted to enter to find a book to read.

Teck Jim was sad. He loved looking at his sister’s collection of books, admiring them from afar.

So one day, while his sister was away in school, Teck Jim went quietly into her room and took a book to read. As he was browsing through the book, he loved what he was reading. So he decided to take the book without his sister’s permission. That night, he finished reading the book and felt very happy. The next day, he returned the book discreetly into his sister’s room and took another book. This went on for some time until Teck Jim finished reading all of his sister’s books.

One evening, their father came back from work. He said, “The Star Megamall is organizing a story-telling contest this Saturday. Would the two of you like to take part?”

Lee Shan was very excited. “Yes, Daddy. I am sure I will win. I have so many storybooks in my

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room that I have read. I can choose a story from my collection for the contest.”

“How about you, Teck Jim?” his mother asked. “You can get your sister to help you with a story.”

“Why should I? I do not have the time to teach him,” Lee Shan said, sounding a little annoyed. “He can practise on his own,” she added.

Teck Jim did not say anything. He just smiled and said, “It’s okay, Mummy. I am fine. I think I can manage as I already have a story in mind.” The day of the competition came, and both Lee Shan and Teck Jim presented their story. They were excellent, and the audience and judges enjoyed their stories very much. Teck Jim was picked as the winner because his story was creative, exciting and original. Lee Shan was angry and upset because she had only won a consolation prize.

“Where did you get that story? Why haven’t I read it before?” Lee Shan demanded from her brother.

Teck Jim looked at his sister and said, “I got that story from you, sis. I am sorry, but I have been going into your room and reading the storybooks there without your permission.”

“What?” Lee Shan was dumbfounded. She could not believe that her brother’s winning story was right there in her room, sitting on the book rack!

Now, she realized that she had been selfish, and it had not benefited her. From that day onwards, she always shares her books with her brother.