18th Oct 2009 (Sunday), 1345 hrs - Old Lady & Toad

Walking from Ghim Moh hawker centre to block 18, I heard an old lady saying 'hello'.

Turning to my right, I realised she was not calling out to me. She was bent low to pavement and talking to a toad. Late 60s perhaps with a shopping trolley in one hand. She seemed to be trying to chase the toad off the pavement, onto the grass nearby. The toad hopped along, kind of obliging grudgingly. When the old lady looked up, we exchanged knowing smiles.

Few princesses would kiss a toad in real life.

As I carried on, I spotted a cat chilling out closeby, watching the pair, but seemingly without any interest as it was yawning.

9th Oct 09 (Fri), 2032 hrs: Lone Figure on Telok Ayer Park bench

The park was not well lit. And as I strode along the main pathway, something caught the corner of my eye (always happens that way, eh?)

A man was sitting on a park bench on my far left. The lampost to the right of the bench barely illuminated him. But I could make out he was in a white long short sleeve shirt and long pants. Office attire, maybe. But could not make out his age as light was lacking. His posture was very upright, back unnaturally straight. Like he waiting for someone. During the 3 seconds or so that I observed him discreetly while contuining to walk on, he remained absolutely motionless.

10 minutes later (having finished my read), I walked back along the same pathway from the opposite direction. My word, he was still there. Still in his neat clothes and sitting quietly and unobtrusively. Like how a good boy should be seen and not heard.

Disconcerting, yet comforting that there are others out there like us.