A Chap Goh Meh at Port Klang

[ighosts]

OK. Ikan - last post before we go eat Popiah.

As I mentioned earlier, not all launching of wishes ended happily.





This group of young boys and girls were so enthusiastic and happy with the Kong Ming lantern. They drew their cartoons, scribbled their wishes, circle their hearts on it. Then they gathered together to send their wishes into the sky.





Off it went. With plenty of cheering and clapping and excited laughters. Their pleasures were contagious and their happiness rubbed on to the others watching. They cheered as it took off with vigor. Their wishes bound to be fulfilled.

As it drifted off to sea, it drifted too close to the stone pillar. There were shouts of concern and frantic prayers. It brushed against the pillar, struggled and then lifted free of it. There were tremendous cheering and everyone were happy. But it is not to be a happy ending. When the paper lantern compressed against the pillar, the side caught fire. Even as it floated up, the sides burned. There were cries of dismay as the lantern burned and lost altitude. Then it lost height and dropped into the sea not far from the shore and sank.

The look on the youngsters' face told it all. There were great disappointment. And among the superstitious, they will wonder if this portend a bad year ahead. I felt sad for them. But they were not the only lanterns that failed that night. Even among joy, sadness and disappointment are never far away.





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