□PAUL

Today was Father's Day——A festival for Male! I was sure something would take place this evening.While I was wondering whether we would hold a wonderful party or have a delicious dinner,somebody came to tell me that a conference for all the crew was going to be held tonight.At 7:00pm Captain Chen began the meeting.The basic contents could be divided into three parts. What impressed me most was part three.Captain Chen proudly declared that he would spring for beer as long as we did thorough cleaning for the living area.As for the first two parts I almost forgot what they were. I was sure the other crew had the same idea.Because——Great minds think alike.
　　In the following two hours everybody including Chief officer, Chief Engineer and even the Captain himself took an active part in cleaning the walls,the doors,the floors,the ceilings,etc.You see m.v.“YICK WING" was born in 1982,therefore there lay dirty places here and there.It was quite difficult for us to change the old ship into a new one. Well, as a perverb goes——Where there is a will,there is a way.Under the leadship of the captain we finally defeated the tough stains. And the whole living area became spick and span.
　　“No pains, no gains." As Captain Chen promised he brought the “Heineken" beer which was imported from Holland. We all cheered up. But I was a bit awkward, because I could not open the lid without a tool. Then I saw a sailor open the lid with the help of a table. While carpenter Zheng took out a screw driver which was made by himself and opened the lid hands down. The tool was simply made of waste steel and furthermore the carpenter himself made a pair of dumbbells, a desk, a bookshell, etc. Then I doubted if Carpenter Zheng were Carpenter Expert——LuBan's disciple. “That's nothing. The screw driver he made was too big and heavy. It's unconvenient." Fitter Wang said, “I can open the lid with common lighter or chopsticks." The lid was removed by the lighter before his words finished. While I was surprised Bosun Zhang spoke out ，“ It is easy to open the lid with a tool. But if you have no tools and nobody else can help you, what will you do? Now, look at me." Bosun Zhang opened the lid with his teeth quickly.“Now you see how convenient it is to open the lid like this."
　　Soon everybody got his beer, Captain Chen advised， “Let's drink toghther to our health." “And happy Father's Day!" I added. “It is not your festival." A seaman reminded me. “Ok. But sooner or later I will be a father. Why not offer me an opportunity to rehearse?" I argued. “Well,cheers!" Everybody echoed with his beer bottle raised. Suddently the sailor on watch rushed in and cried out of breath， “Hu...hurry up! The bosun's warehouse was filled with water." On hearing the emergency Chief Officer Song stood up in no time and ordered, “Bosun and all the other sailors, take your tools and boots, follow me!" Well, we had to kiss our beer bottles goodbye and participated in a new “battle" against water. When we successfully drained the water away, it was already 11:00pm. Somebody asked me, “what do you think of Farther's Day on board?" I smiled, “Well,it's hard to say. But I'm afraid I won't be a father that soon."
　　(paul)