LettersHong Kong protesters can learn from the myth of Icarus when to call it quits

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Two students join hands with a Pepe the Frog doll during a protest in Kowloon Tong on September 9. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:25am, 20 Sep 2019Updated: 6:25am, 20 Sep 2019

I recently chanced upon a variety show aired on China Central Television in which all the youth both on stage and in the audience were all having a ball of a time with music – singing, doing acrobatics and dancing. The finale song encouraged young people to live life to the fullest. It sounded like a timely message for our Hong Kong youngsters.

Our young protesters should know that the fountain of youth has a short expiry date. They should enjoy their youth while it lasts.

Unfortunately our youngsters have been dragged into dirty politics and are now pulling in innocent secondary school students. I urge the youth to calm down and instead let adults take on this responsibility.

In Greek mythology, Daedalus created wings made of feathers glued together with wax for his son Icarus to escape from Crete, warning him not to fly too high or the sun would melt the wax. Unfortunately, Icarus, exhilarated by flight, disobeyed his father and as he flew higher, the wax melted. He fell into the ocean and drowned.

Our youth have also achieved the zenith of their protest and the world has heard them loud and clear. If they go any further, they will take us all down with them. Their movement has already caused economic and infrastructural damage across the board, hurting people from all walks of life in Hong Kong, except for the highly paid administrators who have nothing to lose.

I hope our youth will study hard, play hard and take control of their lives.

Nalini Daswani, Tsim Sha Tsui