It Is A Strange Thing

“It is a strange thing, looking at the sea. 

When it is calm, or with only gentle ripples, 

it gives an impression of being soft and kind. 

But often, on such a calm, the wind suddenly blows, 

thrusting the water back into angry waves. 

At such times, in a certain sense, 

one feels sorry for the sea. 

Never of itself offensive to others, 

it is all too often attacked by wind and rain, 

the rain falling densely upon it, 

shaming the beauty of its calm face 

with a million bouncing bubbles. 

Were the wind to stop blowing, the ocean, 

surely, would never afflict the land with any calamity, 

nor would any human beings suffer.” 

~ Tan Kok Seng, Son Of Singapore