Reality dawned upon us when on the following morning - a Sunday, he was totally incapable of leaning on his right leg. He was duly carried to and from church that morning. In the afternoon we attempted sinseh-styled massage using chinese medicine. Uneasy for fear of broken bones or torn ligaments, my wife took him for an examination at the outpatient dispensary of a nearby hospital. The doctor took great care and time to examine his leg and recommended X-ray on the following day --- it would be cheaper then by S$50 my wife was told. They left with Geigy's Voltaren Emulgel for the prescribed application.

On Monday I brought Micah for the X-ray. He was able to amble along with a tilted right leg. He seemed at peace and unperturbed by the pain. The radiologist was kind and put him at ease quickly. Lying down he smiled sweetly ( and bravely, I might add) at me. I smiled back reassuringly.

Thereafter, we proceeded to the clinic and awaited for the result. We sat down, talked, grew restless and walked to the adjacent medical centre. For want of something better to do, we ventured into a convenience store. There were magazines, tid-bits, toiletries and toys. A palm-sized plastic water game caught my attention. There are two buttons for water-pumping teeny-weeny, colourful rings. The trick is to get those rings into two stems lodged midway in the water chamber. Inscribed at the back are these exact words : WATER & GAME IS A SAFY TOY SUITABLE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGE AS WELL AS A JOYFUL TREAT. Frankly, I had my reservation concerning the promised treat. But, you know, it was priced at S$1. What the heck, I thought to myself.

So we ended up with two units of the miracle toy going for a song. Micah tested it and was hooked. Whatever doubts I had dispersed progressively as I too found myself drawn deeper into the personal challenge offered --- no batteries required.

The X-ray result showed that nothing was amiss. Phew! "You could go home," the medical doctor assured us. On the way to the reception area --- it was about lunchtime then, we detoured into a cafetaria. It was real neat and in the shape of an inverted 'L'. My original intention was to pack a chicken pie for Micah and head for home. But I read that Chinese Soup was on the menu. 'The boy would benefit by it', I convinced myself.

We took our seats right at the top end of the 'L'. Micah gingerly prodded, cut and savoured his pie. The crust was crispy brown while the filling of chicken and mixed vegetable was ample and warm. "It was the best chicken pie ever", I would latter pronounced to my wife. The much anticipated consomme was served with panache. It was presented piping-hot in an oval chinaware complete with cover on a saucer. The accompanying western soup spoon did not seem out of place although I was expecting a pure chinese affair.

I scooped the chicken and mushroom onto his plate of fast-dwindling pie. Micah relished the new offering and his eyes twinkled with glee. He was peaceful and containing his happiness. He ventured on to ask why I was not having anything. "I am still waiting for my glass of ice water," came my reply. From his seat, as if by intuition, he mockingly looked in the direction of the waitress at the kitchen counter and said, "One glass of ice water please." Not drawing a response, he left his seat but was halted by me. I assured him that it was okay even if she had forgotten my earlier request. Returning to his seat he ate on.

Soon after he again proceeded to leave his seat in pursuit of my desired object. I said that I would get it myself. I walked up to the waitress and reiterated my request. The ice water soon came. Micah smiled from ear to ear and insisted that I drink of it while he chomped and slurped on.

This young man had looked beyond himself to care for me. How did he learn? Could it be that he was emulating my example? Perhaps he put two and two together from what was taught formally at his childcare centre or informally at home. Whatever the reason, it was a moment of magic for me.