I love rattan

When I was a little girl, my skin has rested on rattan much more than it has on plastic. You see, chairs were made of rattan. Rattan canes woven has natuaral cavities which allow ventilation and in this tropical heat, these little vents for our much rested cheeks prevent warts and heat rash.

However, in Chinese culture, it's also used as a tool to punish children who misbehave. And I've got my fair share of caning. The initial fear of it was slowly replaced by rebellious youthful angst, and later completely eradicated by sense of injustice. 'Why should I be caned because I desire to play with my friends?' For my father, misbehaving teenagers must be dealt with as criminals are with canes. But he's a father afterall - when he noticed that I would be caned but would have no fear nor tears, he was afraid. I did not understand parents' love nor worry at 13 years old. And so I did not sense that he was at his wit's end. All I know was I must win my war for freedom! ;p

I became a christian at 14 years old, and though I didn't think my stoic crusade for a teenager's freedom was wrong, I began to want to do what pleased God. And one of the commandments was 'honour your parents'. Another one was to 'love your neighbour as yourself'. And another was to be gentle.

The rattan cane returned into my hands last week. This time, I used many of them to make a little basket ;). Weaving memories of my trip to Kampong Pelegong into the twists and turns of the rattan canes :)
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