A Pocketful of Huat!
A little red 滿, a wish so bright,
One pocket turned red overnight!
Two red pockets, a brand-new style,
Little Aunty wore them with a smile!
A Pocketful of Good Fortune
Grandpa loved writing Chinese New Year couplets and 揮春. He was so proud of his handwritten masterpieces that practically every available space in the house had one pasted on it — even the toilet doors and the rice bin!
One year, little Aunty asked Grandpa to write a tiny 滿 on a piece of red paper, just small enough to fit inside her pocket.
And Grandpa happily obliged.
Little Aunty tucked her precious little 滿 into the pocket of her brand-new beige pants, hoping to carry a little good fortune wherever she went.
Unfortunately, the red paper got wet.
And the colour ran.
Little Aunty: “ALAMAK! My new pants!”
One pocket was now sporting a big red stain!
Mama wasn't pleased. Little Aunty received a good scolding and a beating.
But the pants?
Mama: “Don't waste! Still can wear!”
Grandma, however, had a different opinion.
Grandma: “Very the good! Chinese New Year 開年見紅!”
Little Aunty's Brilliant Idea
Now, little Aunty had a problem.
One side beige, one pocket red.
Very ugly, right?
Then suddenly, a brilliant idea!
Little Aunty: “One side red mah… make the other side red also loh!”
And so, the following day, little Aunty appeared in her beige pants, proudly sporting TWO matching red pockets!
HUAT AH!
Uncle took one look.
Uncle: “Very smart hor… not bad looking somemore!”
Mama wasn't particularly impressed.
Mama: “Don't care! As long as you wear it loh!”
And that settled the matter.
Too bad there wasn't enough red paper left in the house. Otherwise, little Aunty might have dyed the entire pair of pants red!
Come to think of it, perhaps that was a blessing in disguise.
Grandma might have turned her into a walking Chinese New Year decoration, complete with a gigantic golden 發 on the front door!
Looking Back...
Grandpa's little 滿 was supposed to bring good fortune.
Instead, it brought one beating, two red pockets, and little Aunty's very first fashion makeover.
And who knows? Those beige pants with matching red pockets might even be fashionable today!
HUAT AH!
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