Friday, September 01, 2006

Of Candles and Consummation

A Teachers' Day Card I received ...

"A Good Teacher is like a Candle - It consumates itself to light the way for others."

I couldn't help but glare at it in disbelief ... while my colleagues bowled over in laughter.

I am moved by the student's warm intentions and the message of gratitude written at the back but ...

CONSUMATES!? Firstly, the spelling is erroneous but, more importantly, I didn't know I needed to 'screw' myself or find 'sexual union' with myself to light the way for others!

I flip the card to see the origin of print. It's a card printed in ... Singapore. We are indeed fighting a losing battle to inculcate good and accurate use of the English Language - particularly when we first need to consummate ourselves.

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