Although I only spent two short years (Form 4D and Form 5C) at La Salle, the majestic campus, the rich tradition, the demanding academics and joyful camaraderie had forged an everlasting memory in me.
My unique experience at La Salle is not about the many fine teachers, the grand extra-curricular school activities or the many buddies back then. On the contrary, it concerned my namesake “David Chan”. That namesake had brought me an unforeseen misfortune, as well as some redeeming values in life. At the risk of boring some of you, following is my story.
INCIDENT I
In our class of 61, there were two boys named David Chan: David Chan Tai Wai and me, David Chan Chi So (yours truly) in 5C, and another boy, David Chan Kwok On in 5A. Altogether there were three of us. David Chan Tai Wai and I were in the same class. I remembered him as an active, articulate and savvy fellow. At times he could be quite argumentative and even provocative. On the contrary, I was quite reserved, not the Alpha-male type. However, I did not know the third David (Chan Kwok On).
During one afternoon school session, abruptly a furious Brother Felix escorted two sophisticated students from Maryknoll Convent into our classroom. He announced that those two ladies had launched a private complaint against a rowdy La Salle Boy for conduct unbecoming on a bus the day before. Apparently that culprit David Chan was riding on the same bus from school[1] and there were some verbal exchange. One after the other, those two savvy ladies echoed the same account of the incident and added that they were greatly offended by the abusive language of a La Salle boy named David Chan. (Probably they were astute enough to spot his name on the school work-books he carried.) They were both very proficient in the English language, highly articulate and forceful. With those two perfect witnesses starring down at my face, albeit innocent I was stunned. Brother Felix then ordered both David Chans to come forward and be properly identified and questioned at his office. Conveniently my namesake, David Chan Tai Wai was absent from class, leaving me to face the inquisition alone.
I was then ushered into the Director’s Office to face the music. Fortunately after further examination and questioning, the two charming accusers determined I was not the suspect and was set “free at last”. To date I still do not recall any apology from either the accusers or Brother Felix for the hardship and embarrassment I suffered. I just took that in strive and moved on. I heard afterwards that when my namesake returned to school the next day he was finally identified and dealt with by Brother Felix[2].
I learned from the ordeal that I needed to expand on my English language and public speaking, so that someday I could be as articulate and daring as those two accusers. In retrospect I wished I had made an effort to counter the raw accusation upfront before I was dragged down to the Director’s Office. Ironically I did not hold any grudge against either the culprit David Chan or the two charming accusers. In fact I have grown to admire and appreciate strong female persona. In my earlier career as an engineer, I worked well with female engineers. In my opinion they were as good as, if not better than, us guys. In my later career as an attorney, I also had the pleasure to work with some excellent female attorneys and practice before some great female judges. My favorite public figure is the current US Secretary of State. Admittedly I am a bit biased because I saw her a couple of times in Fort Worth, Texas several years ago when she was a US Senator.
INCIDENT II
The remaining school year in 1961 was quite uneventful as everyone was preoccupied with the School Certificate Examination. Then for some unknown reason, David Chan Tai Wai and I got into a disagreement and argument. It must be something silly or benign because I have no recollection of the reason at all. Then some classmates began to take sides. I had a strong suspicion that some classmates wanted to promote a fight between us. That disagreement finally escalated to the point that we would settle with force. We would wait till the evening after our graduation dinner, and then we would settle our score with brute force[3]. With the Sword of Damocles hanging over me, the dinner was far from completely enjoyable. I imagine that is the penalty for being unwise. All evening I was thinking of the terrible consequences: someone getting hurt, reprimand by the school and worst, arrest by the police and probable criminal records, etc. Finally I determined that there was nothing worth fighting over. I planned a grown-up talk with my adversary to effect a truce.
Finally after the dinner, our two groups met on the street close to the school campus. Like two warring chieftains, we met and talked briefly. Surprisingly we both came to the “table” with identical offer. That was to make peace. After a rational reflection, cooler heads prevailed. We shook hands and were enemies no more. After that night he and I never met again unfortunately.
Then in 1963 I came to the United States and started my college education at the University of Texas. Many times I had hoped someday I would see David again. Then we would reminisce about that near fateful evening, and pat each other’s back for the wise decision we jointly made. Unfortunately due to time and distance we never had the opportunity. Then several years ago at the 75th Jubilee Celebration I heard from either Patrick Lau or Joe Chiu that David had passed away shortly after his retirement. Regrettably I could not see him once more. Yet I can take solace that we had buried our hatchers and walked away from a silly fight, that could have been disastrous for both and more importantly, we left our alma mater as friends after all. I still miss him. May he rest in peace.
The important lesson I learned from this second incident is that one should not make a rash decision at any time. One should sleep on it, weigh it out, look into the inner self or seek a second opinion. Peace is far better than war.
Submitted by
David Chi So Chan August 21, 2011
[1] It was commonplace for us to walk a few blocks down to the corner of Boundary and Waterloo to ride on No.7 Bus with our neighbors from Maryknoll in our younger days.
[2] I did not know the extent of his punishment.
[3] I had never participated in any fight before. All the talk was mere puffing and I was hoping someone would come forward be a peacemaker for us.