Willingness to shoulder responsibility quickens maturity.

"Come back here, Kok Seng. I have told you not to follow them and run across the street like that."

It sounded like a parent but his size and youthful face placed him at the approximate age of twelve, definitely too young to be a father of the four year old kid rushing off at the heels of a group of children. Yet, the responsibility of seeing to the safety of his younger brother rests on his young shoulders.

With both parents away at work, there is none other to oversee him and his brother. Each day, his parents reminded him of his big brother status and told him he has to be the one to look after the other son. Fortunately for his parents, he took on the task without complaint and perform this duty well.

Yes, his parents were lucky to have such a compliant child despite the heavy responsibility associated with the task, for it is not every child who would willingly agree to carry the burden of ensuring the safety of a sibling at such a tender age. Some children would not have bothered to take on the job and no parent could fault them for refusing such a great responsibility. After all, the mind is still not expected to have achieved the level of maturity required to perform well such a heavy task.

Well, there was such a child whom I know of. In fact, his task became even worse with the coming of a third child. Not only did he have to keep an eagle's eye on the second child so as to be aware of his whereabouts at all times, he had to carry the growing baby, feed him as well as put him to sleep. According to me, it was just too tough for this eldest son to manage. But, perhaps with the help of compassionate God, manage he did and nary an untoward incident befall the three children as they grew up.

Of course, needless to say, it was a tiring life for the eldest child. As a result, he developed a sense of responsibility and quiet maturity that was to put him ahead of many children. In school, that sense of responsibility took him to study with a determination seldom seen. Despite not having quality time with his parents or the opportunity for advantageous early knowledge, his maturity got him to pay even greater attention to the knowledge imparted by the teachers. This traits in him got him recognised by both teachers and fellow students a leadership quality. Thus, from monitor of the class, he went on to be the head prefect of the school. His ability to cope with the numerous duties given put him in good stead as a prefect where duties often have to been looked into while others study in the class.

With the maturity, leadership qualities and sense of responsibility, anyone can foresee the reach he made in education and performance in his career.

Sometimes, things do not come planned by parents. Circumstances or perhaps, the forces of the universe cause happenings to take place, incidences which could mold a person's character to place him in a favourable position in life. Perhaps, this kind of person is what some would call the graduate from the School of Hard Knocks. So, when life is tough for a child, there is no need to pity him or look down at his seemingly poor situation for great things may be in store for such a kid.