Number one son

Number One Son


The story "Number One Son" by Monfoon Leong was based on a young man who was a hard worker in a store and he worked for himself up until the day his father passed away and left all the responsibilities to his older son, Ming. Ming's mother was afraid to call him as soon as his father died because Ming was working and she was afraid he would get fired. The Chinese tradition was always to leave the oldest son to take over the family to provide for the family and to watch over them. Ming didn't understand why they wanted him to take over. He didn't think his father even cared about him because his father was closer with Ming's siblings. Ming didn't study the traditional things in his family. He did not know how to speak Chinese.

Ming was mad at his father because his father never gave him anything. Ming didn't know how he was going to maintain his family because he had a small pay in the job he was working in. He had the American dream to go to college, but now it seemed like his dreams had been shattered. Ming's grandfather, Choak helped him go around the neighborhood to see what type of job he would like to work on to pay for his father's funeral and to help his family.

Kwon Kim was the guy in the owner of the herb store. Kwon tells Ming that hes sorry for his dad's loss and sorry that he was left with a big family to be responsible. There was also a man named Mr.Chung who was the owner of the supermarket. Chung had a very negative opinion on Ming's father. This man didn't seem to like Ming's father at all. He said that Ming's father was a coward that couldn't provide for his family. (example) Before Grandfather Choak had finished telling of the need of Ming's family, Mr. Chung snorted, "Man is fool to have such big family when cannot make enough money for them." He looked hard at Ming. "Young man must face truth about father. He was failure as father and failure as man. Must depend on others even when he is dead. I would be fool to give money." Ming felt his heart pounding in his throat and choking him and his fists doubled up, ready to lash out at the face with its upper lip curled over white teeth in a self-righteous grimace.

widow loo's opinion on Ming's father was very positive. she said that ming's father help her and her children even though he didn't have much (example) She released Ming's arm to fish in a wellworn purse she was carrying. "Many times your father helped me and children. He had little money but much heart." She pulled two crumpled bills from her purse and put them into Ming's hand. "I know he did not leave you much," she said. "Maybe this will help a little." Ming whispered a "Thank you," and she bustled away. He looked at the two one-dollar bills in his hand for a long while. His mother was anxiously waiting at the door for him. "Ming, your father's watch. They took it with them last night. We must get it back."

There's many things that make children appreciate there parents. In this case Ming wasn't that appreciative with his father because he claimed his father never did anything for him. I think regardless the situation people are in they should always appreciate there parents because there the ones that gave you life along with God. A parent will always be there for you in case anything bad ever happens. I think Ming had to leave his pride to the side because his father past away and it would mean a lot to him if his son forgave and did what he needed to do for his family now that he wasn't there to try and provide. Ming needs to be better than his father so that his siblings look up to him and say wow my brother is a good example and he did the right thing.


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