Stifling a yawn, I walked towards the fish stall while Mum was choosing fresh fish and prawns for today's dinner. The fishmonger wore a threadbore vest and an old pair of shorts. His plastic-gloved hands handled the slippery fish with great dexterity.
"Pooh, what a stink!" I exclaimed as I pinched my nose. On a typical Sunday morning, like today, the market was bustling with people. Loud music blaring from the stalls competed with the noisy cries of vendors.
"Pickpocket! Pickpocket!" a voice shouted across the wet market. All heads tuned towards the direction the shout was coming from. It was an old, feeble lady, sitting on the ground grimacing in pain. A burly man gave chase to the pickpocket. Another man, my neighbour, Mr Lim, told people around the old lady to help her while he fished out his phone to dial for the police.
"There goes my marketing money! What am I going to do?" the old lady complained. Unfortunately, while the pickpocket was running for his dear life, he did not notice that there was a puddle of water on the floor. He slipped on the puddle of water and fell down, flat, on the floor. Soon, the burly man caught up and pinned him tightly to the ground.
The shrill sirens of the police car indicated the arrival of the men in blue. The police handcuffed the pickpocket, forcing him into the police car while some police took down the frightened old lady's statement.
"Let me go!" the pickpocket's cries could be heard from a distance.
Following that, the burly man passed the wallet back to its owner- the old lady. The old lady thanked him profusely and even offered him some money but he declined.
I hope that the pickpocket will know that crime does not pay. We hoped that he would turn over a new leaf. I admire the burly man for his courage. I hope I could be like him one day.
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