This excerpt has given me a vivid insight on life during Japanese Occupation. Though this excerpt is brief, it gave me an idea how Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew was like during his younger days. Personally, I admire his wit. He was able to turn those life-and-death situations around and escape from the jaws of death.

Instead of turning his back on the war between his country and the Japanese, MM Lee risked his life by staying behind to help out with the MAS(Medical Auxillary Services). Back then, he was already a patriotic and benignant citizen.

From the excerpt, I believe that life for the people in the war-torn country must have been an arduous one, so did MM Lee. Punishments carried out by the Japanese soldiers were inhumane. Food was scarce and MM Lee had to become the sole breadwinner at such a tender age.

MM Lee is adept and ingenious. He collaborated with his friends and started a business at such a tender age to make ends meet for his family. Furthermore, he relied on himself when he was studying in Britain and even assisted Miss Kwa for her admission into the university.

This excerpt is brief but thought-invoking. Life today is indeed a bed of roses, with roads paved for us by the older generation. It made me realise that I should cherish what I have.