When I arrived at school, I saw the children were waiting to go to visit the Science Centre. Shakil, Solomon's good-friend-classmate, saw me and told me that Solomon was in the office. I entered the office and went directly to hold his hand. He requested me to pray for him immediately. A staff was using a cotton wood to help stopping the bleeding from his nose.

After saying the prayer, I heard the principal telling me about the happening of the accident. She apologised for the accident and asked two boys to apologise to me too. One of the boys threw a plastic bag with a lunch box in it to the other boy and it struck Solomon on his nose. I was too concerned about Solomon and did not find out more about the accident and whom the two boys were. I knew that there were teachers, staff, workers and classmates giving helping hands. Someone gave me Solomon's school uniform and singlet and I just put them into my bag. I left his schoolbag, document file and water bottle in the office, as we had to go to the National University Hospital (NUH).

When the ambulance arrived, one of the healthcare staff told me that I had to go to the hospital by my own transport. I was told that it was the new rule after the SARS. I requested him to let me accompany Solomon to hospital with the ambulance as he requested me earnestly. The healthcare staff finally agreed. He gave me a mask to put on and asked me a few questions ensuring that I was free from SARS. On the way to the hospital, he asked Solomon about the accident, took his blood pressure, consoled him and even told him that he was a strong boy.

While we were in the hospital, the doctor attended to Solomon. After the preliminary examination, Solomon went for an X-ray taking. When I was waiting outside the X-ray room, I wanted to telephone my wife. While taking out the hand-phone from my bag, I realised Solomon's school uniform and singlet were in the bag. There were patches of bloodstain. I thank God that someone in the school let Solomon wear a clean uniform. Otherwise, I would be nervous if I saw it and my expression would make Solomon worried. After taking the X-ray, the doctor applied the glue on the cut of Solomon's nose. He also gave us a note on caring for our child's wound if glue was used.

We would like to thank the healthcare staff and doctor for their care and good services.

When we went back to school to take the belongings, the two boys were still in the office. They came forward to say sorry when we went in. Then I found out one of the boy used to telephone Solomon asking him about the homework. He was waiting for his parents to take him home. He was crying sadly. I walked forward, fondled his face, and asked him to study hard and not to be too playful. He then cried more sadly. I asked Solomon to console him and told him that everything was alright already.

Solomon went sleeping after coming back from school until we woke him up for dinner. During that time, the boy called. After that, Shakil called too. I thanked them and told them that Solomon was sleeping.

The next morning, the principal telephoned me. As she had to attend a meeting yesterday, she told the staff to handle the matter and was kept updated every now and then. She personally looked into the matter the following morning. After inquiring the children, she found that Solomon and a classmate were playing/throwing ice at each other earlier on. That might cause danger to others. Therefore, other than the two boys, a classmate and Solomon would get the punishment. She would cane each one of them one stroke on their palm of hand. I requested to talk to Solomon through the telephone. I confirmed with Solomon that he did play "throwing ice" with that classmate. I then told him that the principal would cane him.

An hour after the conversation with the principal, the doctor from NUH called. He said that after the specialist had examined the X-ray, Solomon had to go back to NUH for further examination by the specialist the next Monday. He told me not to be worried and that would not be a major surgery.

In the afternoon, I went to the school to take Solomon home after his taking part in the Mathematics Competition. On the way home, I told him about the calls from his principal and the doctor. I had also informed his form teacher that he would be absent from class next Monday as we had to visit the specialist in NUH.

When we were back home, he showed me the caning report from principal and I signed it. After that, I told him that I had written a letter to thank his principal in handling the accident wisely and fairly as well as taking disciplinary action on him. I told him that we should also thank the teachers, staff and workers who took care of him. And I requested the principal to convey our appreciation to the classmate for their love and concern, as well as the sincerity of that boy's mother. I also urged him to work hard and behave well that he would be able to win honour for his school. After reading the letter to him, he would hand in the letter to his principal through his form teacher the next day.