A Difficult Choice

Iron Man, donning a lustrous, sleek suit, perched at the top of

the shelf. He extended his arms, as if he was inviting me to bring
him home – to be the latest addition to my superhero collection.

Unfortunately, today was not the day. I counted, and

recounted, but I was still $30 off the price tag. Every time I inched
closer to my goal, the shop would mark up the price of Iron Man
again. This seemed like an impossible mountain to climb.

Just as I turned around to leave, my eagle eyes spotted a

chestnut-brown wallet lying at the foot of the shelf. Curiosity
overwhelmed me as I decided to go and take a look. The wallet must
have seen better days, for its leather exterior had turned wrinkly
and weather-beaten like an old person’s skin. I plucked it from the
floor and flipped it open, revealing a faded photograph of a brooding
man, and a wad of ten-dollar bills amounting to $50 to be exact. An
insidious rush of greed seized control of me. Suddenly, I saw hope.
Maybe I was not going to leave empty handed today after all.

However, a twinge of guilt tugged at me as I put myself in the

owner’s shoes. I knew the terrible feeling of losing something
important. I once lost my wallet when I was in Primary 2 and I lost
my appetite for the rest of the day searching high and low for it.
Maybe the wallet’s owner was worried stiff too.

After a moment of internal turmoil, my dark side engulfed my

conscience. $50, while a large sum to a student like me, was hardly
anything for an adult, I convinced myself. I was sure the owner could
earn that amount back within half a day. But to me $50 meant so
much: it could finally get me my coveted Iron Man!

Just as I was making my way to the counter with my Iron Man

figurine, an ear-splitting cry caught my attention. A young boy was
sitting on the floor near the figurines’ section, bawling his eyes out.
 “I want Spiderman!” he thumped the ground in frustration.

Beside the boy stood an apologetic-looking man. His brows

furrowed with despair. I recognised him almost instantly: he was the
man in the photo, the owner of the lost wallet!

“I’m so sorry! It’s Daddy’s fault for losing my wallet” the man
kneeled down on one leg and tousled his son’s hair, “I promise you I
will buy you your toy when I get my pay again next month.” But his
son was not appeased. His wailing became even shriller and now a
crowd was forming around the pair.

Witnessing this commotion, I started to have second thoughts

about my decision. Yes, I might enjoy my new figurine, but I was
doing so at a little child’s expense. I was ruining his day, and also
putting his father at a spot.

Before I knew it, I jostled my way through the crowd, and

handed over the wallet with all the money intact.

“Sir, I found this near the figurine’s section just now. Is this
yours?” I enquired, trying my best to appear innocent.

The man’s face immediately lit up. “YES! This is mine!” he

gripped my hands with gratitude, “Thank you so much! Now my boy
can get his toy.”

I smiled uncertainly at first, but on seeing the young boy stop

crying, flashed him a thumbs-up.

Before the man could say another word, I left the scene to
return the Iron Man to his rightful position on the shelf.

“See you, Iron Man,” I fixed him with a wistful glance, “I’ll be
back for you soon!” I was sure Iron Man and my band of superhero
friends would be proud of me for having fought and won against my
inner demons!