Source:
https://scmp.com/article/639507/letters

letters

Honesty best policy

Honesty is essential to maintain a friendship. Sometimes, being honest may mean saying a thing that is not pleasant, but is necessary for getting along well with your friends.

There is a story about Lily. She lied to her friend Piggy that the dress fitted her perfectly and she looked pretty in it.

However, when Piggy tried that on at home, the dress was torn because of her oversized body.

Sometimes, we may have to speak the truth that is not so sweet. But we should say it. It's important for us to be frank and honest with our friends. When we see our friends making mistakes, we must tell them so that they won't repeat their wrongdoing.

Instead of trying to make them happy by saying something pleasant but fake, it's better to tell them the truth. This is the basic rule for keeping a friend.

Charles Chan, Hang Seng School of Commerce

Life is like planting

I'm writing in response to the article 'Roots: tomatoes' (South China Morning Post, May 9).

The article talks about ways to reduce the chances of blossom-end rot. It also tells us what we should do to have a strong and healthy plant.

I think our life is like planting. If we want the tomatoes to be strong and healthy, we need to water the plant. There is also a particular watering skill.

We need to have the basic skills before we go out to work, just like we need to water the plants.

Also, studying in university is like watering the plants.

We can get special skills and knowledge.

These things can help us to prepare for the future and to succeed in life.

Candy Fung Ka-yin, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College

Excess TV, video games spoil health

Since I was born my parents didn't have a television at home. They wouldn't buy me video games or a PSP, although they had the money.

I used to be angry about it because most of my friends had these things, and I didn't have any. But as I grow up, I see things differently.

Nowadays, people can afford to buy computer games and PSPs. You may play these games for a while, but too much of it can be dangerous. It can cause addiction and depression and damage your eyes, scientists say. You may even get thumb paralysis.

The good impact of technology is that TV provides information while video games offer entertainment, which we should not misuse. I would like to tell my friends that they shouldn't watch TV or play video games too much because it is not good for their health and future.

In my opinion, TV is not essential in our lives. Without it, I read a lot of books which my parents buy, go to the playground to play football and basketball, and have many friends. Sometimes I watch good movies about mythology, culture and children on my father's computer. I don't miss TV at all.

I am 10 years old, but my parents still wouldn't buy a TV. This is because they love me.

Dhruv Singh, Sir Ellis Kadoorie (S) Primary School

Respect elderly and their contribution

Walking along the streets, we may see some elderly people collecting waste.

Do we ever think about their livelihood?

Many elderly people have no job. Also, their sons and daughters may not have enough money to support them.

These elderly people live alone. They have to rely on the small amount paid by the government.

Some of them even have to collect waste material in order to make a living. They earn very little, and to make the situation worse, they have to compete with children from poor families.

Besides economic problems, elderly people suffer mentally and socially. They feel depressed quite easily.

Moreover, many of them suffer from various illnesses and their medical expenses are high. It's really difficult for them to pay to see a doctor.

The elderly have contributed a lot to society. In the past, they worked hard to help Hong Kong develop. Hong Kong is now a prosperous international city. However, people now care less about the elderly. It is really unfair to them. We should all respect their contributions.

Chan Kwun-tat, SKH Lam Woo Memorial Secondary School

Have a hobby

Both music and art are important in my life. They inspire me and are my hobbies.

I love listening to classical music which is thought-provoking. When there are ups and downs, I listen to music, especially western music from the 1960s. Songs with wonderful melodies and lyrics really touch your heart.

Furthermore, I enjoy spending my leisure time drawing. When I finish an artwork, the feeling is marvellous. In addition, it can help relieve my stress.

To sum up, hobbies play an important part in our lives.

They give us a varied and meaningful life.

Yvonne Choi, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College

Challenge yourself

I believe that we all face challenges. Yet different people react differently. Some evade challenges, while others face them bravely. What about you?

I think choosing to overcome challenges is a sensible decision as you learn a lot during the process.

On the contrary, if you don't tackle the problem, you learn nothing. And the same problem may happen again.

If you have never tried to overcome challenges, it's time to change. You could become a different person.

Let's be prepared for the big challenges that lie ahead.

Chan Chun-to, Yuen Long Lutheran Secondary School