Then I saw her Chinese text book. It looked like an old text book even though she has only used it for one month. I realised that it was a little moist when I flipped the pages. I asked if she had spilled water on it and she said no. She did not know how it got wet. The next thing I saw exposed her lie. It was a brand new chinese text book!! She must have wet her original textbook accidentally and decided to buy a brand new text book to replace it. After some probing, she finally admitted that she bought it with her leftover allowances as she thought her original text book was spoilt.
She looked very nervous and scared by then . I sat her down and gave her stern lecture. I told her I was very disappointed that she has to lie about such a thing. I may nagged over a wet textbook but I will not get angry about it. But if she is having excess cash to spend on things to cover up problems, then her allowances need to be cut. Also, the next time this happens again, she will be caned. She " guai guai" nodded her head throughout my lecture and was clearly relieved when it ended.
I kept the new textbook and asked the maid to dry the old one. My maid had to ask a dumb question at the peak of my anger " Mdm, use iron????". Two words described my feelings then - WAH LAU!!!!
Jacob was very " zi dong" and gave his best during his piano practice while I was scolding his sister. He is usually the one that gets scolded at home so it was a refreshing change for him to be the good guy. When I asked him later if he knows why I was angry with Tessa, he said it is because she lied. He even " add salt, add vinegar" and told me about his teachers getting mad at his classmates who lied!!
We prayed together before we sleep, asking GOD to continue to guide them to behave the right way and stressing the importance of honesty. I certainly hope both of them will remember my little lecture tonight.
