THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 1958.
Miracle In Hongkong
The day came bleak and cold, and at nine o'clock, great drops of icy rain began to fall. I was standing at the bottom of the slope leading up an old ramshackle house waiting for Billy Tingle.
And why was I waiting?
Well, years ago, Billy Tingle and I were on the staff of the same school where he was Gym master, and I used to take music. Billy thought I might be interested in an experiment that was taking place at 25 Kimberley Road, Kowloon which is for the time being the headquarters of The Hongkong Music Training Centre for the Blind.
We elimbed a rickety staircase and entered a small ekissroom in which some fifteen blind girls and boyn were waiting. There were no pictures or decorations on the wall, because, after all, when every cent counts, it is of o use putting up pictures or maps which people cannot
set.
Mrs Ronald Ching was waiting for us, and as Billy is a voluntary instructor there, I was the only person who had to be introduced, They greeted me in song. They have a fine tune to which they attach the name
it of the visitor, so in my Luft."
case,
I stood there while they sang: fifteen pairs of sight- less eyes gazing at me, fif- teen faces glowing with joy and happiness. such The chorus was handed over to a soprano, and then, I repeated by the basses. I'm a bit confused, but I know there was some as they robust harmony brought their greeting to an end.
"Welcome Mr think. кля
SOME UNRECORDED SCENES FROM HIS LIFE -by CUMMINGS
Sportive playmate removes chair from injani Harold-sang-froid keeps him rigid.
Young Mac-deep in literature -- is run over by a horse bus. He survives.
While on educational cruise. Mr. Macmillan's ship sinks-fortunately he is able to finish his brandy,
During Hitler war, humb falls on his residence -happily his reading is not interrupted.
THE FUTURE
His entire Cabinet resigns. Ele quickly appoints him self in all Cabinet posts, and puts this "'local trauchte ous of his mind with Mile, Sugan's chef d'oeuvre,
I should have thanked m, but I did not. It is hard to speak when have a big lump in
throat.
you
your
From there, we went across to the music room, to which these sightless boys and girls found their way without help. All passed through the door safely ex- cept one little chap who did not allow himself sufficient clearance and hit his face a blow on the doorpost. But he did not mind. And s0011 he will find his way around as easily as the others.
Fortress
THE pupils grouped around
The Blind Flautist plays Boothovan's Minuet in G. But to be blind and un- Inadequate funds.
been it has triumphed over have To wanted. thrown aside as useless. To difficulties. go through life unwanted. Dear God, who could endure that?
Being
YET three months ago,
EUROPE
is only hours away when you fly B.O.A.C.
Because
all
00
00
MOND
ก
Mrs Ronald Ching told me that with the passing of time, the students will take their place in the world. They will venture forth with confidence to face the
world, capable of earning their living 15 music such was the lot of
teachers, piano tuners, and theee young people. And they
and perhaps taking their place were rescued. brought to the house. From in a band or an orchestra.
No wonder then that the being SOMETHING, they became SOMEONE
8 house trembled with joy. I girl who could forgot the cold morning and boy or a make music, a boy or a girl the grey skies, for these who could on this blenk sightless ones radiated their morning set the very house own sunshine. And 80 I dancing with the joy of the came away, out into the rapture they felt.
bleak and dreary January Three months to a morning, to take my place miracle. Singing in English, among the people shivering speaking English, fingers as they walked to the Star flashing over a keyboard, Ferry. And every passer- fingers conjuring music by seemed so cold and irrit- from a flute, pressing the able, but, I thought, you keys of a trumpet, guiding have your eyes. I thought a bow across the strings, too, of the amount of grous- measuring the slide of a ing I do myself. And on trombone.
the Ferry, I watched the but no one seemed very happy us the wind searched out every nook and cranny of the ship.
A miracle? What else! faces, Who first breathed that whisper into a heart that
one of the pianos, and the flautist played me a tune could listen?. Who guided on the flute, while another those feet towards that student, played the accom- paniment on the piano.
camp? Who selected these
one. Easy I It was Bee-
A
Happiness
WELL then, what la happi-
ness? At least I know.
If you asked me, I should direct you to the Music Training Centre for the Blind. You will find it in the little classroom where these boys and girls gather
Yes I recognised that wonderful youths where thoven's Minuet in G. Then such talent is buried deep they sang again, this time behind those sightless eyes? in Chinese so I could not follow. But the tune was
I was there boo early to meet you. Happiness the rich Choral, and the
to meet the charitable abundant, happiness running words in English, as I re- people who devote much over. A happiness which cognise it, "A Mighty time to working this we more fortunate people Fortress is our God."
miracle in Hongkong, And can never know. For you 80, in case by telling you, can't have more than every-
Then off they went, helter-skelter to individual practice. I could hear two pianos going at the sumc Lime 13 A trombone, trumpet, and a flute.
♫
The flautist, perhaps to escape the strident tones of the trombone, had gone out of the door and was prae- tising at the top of the staircase.
sori
Those of you who follow music will know that 110 matter what instrument you, play, you always put a bit of yourself in it. If a per-
is wooden, thon Bluthner sounds no better than a typewriter. In fact a typewriter, if played with expression, sounds better.
What I mean to say is, all these instruments play- ing different bits of music and a variety of scales did not make a discord.
Rather did it sound like a aithyramb, a choric hymn of joy.
Of course it was. Just over three months these boys and girls lived in
ago,
a camp, flotsam and jetsam One of the voluntary teachers gives instruction on the flute.
of human dad. in a hope- less world of darkness..
and so spoiling a beautiful, thing. And they have
To be blind is a terrible work that has been dame found those they can call. thing. Never to have seen in the secrecy of love, I friend. They have discover- the sun rise, or to have scen shall not name the teach ed how to ranke music. tho alnging bird in a lofty ers. Better for you to go Gendrous friends have filled Clothing tree. Never to, lave seen along and see them at their their rice bowl the sea which is really blue work. A work so beautiful has been given to clad around this island. That is because it? Is done way them. Wonderful people a terrible thing, but por- from the fishing bulbs of have given their time to haps to be endured if, at cameras, bocanso it endures fondir them the arts. What hand, there is someone do without public applause, a miracol Tho people voted to us, who will at because it perseveres in that walked in darkness times lend his eyes, as it spite of discouragement and have seen a great light! wäre, and tell us of tho setting: sun and the clouda |roffesting heaven's glory.
by JOHN LUFF
BRITISH
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