COMMENT | Next to my parents’ kampung house in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, there was a plot of abandoned government land. Many years ago, an old Chinese man living in the same kampung requested to use the land for agricultural purpose.

With the government’s approval, he cleared up the land all by himself and planted papayas, bananas and tapiocas.

As a young girl, I used to watch the middle-aged uncle in his old bicycle work on the land every single day. He’d arrive early in the morning, take lunch breaks under his trees and leave in the afternoon. He worked very hard.

When it was the harvesting season, I’d see him carefully pluck his fruits, wrap them in newspapers before placing them into a rattan basket attached to the back of his bicycle.

Often, my dad who’d be busy with his coconut, rambutan and ciku trees around our house compound, would strike up a conversation with the uncle. I still remember clearly the images of the two men sharing tips on planting while busy with their respective works.

On every harvesting season, the uncle would send us the fruits of his harvest. Thanks to him, my brothers and I have had the pleasure of enjoying steamed tapioca for tea time throughout our childhood...