In Reticence.

It's sad to note how things at the former workplace has mapped out.

Once, there existed a culture of unity and happiness. Number One held a tight grip. She was strict but fair. Admonishment was meted out if anyone stepped out of line but praise was also lavished when warranted.

Everyone held her in high regard and respected her opinions.

Her word was The Law.

Likewise, Mich respected Number One. Number One also entrusted Mich, the rookie with a number of jaw-dropping tasks that one would have expected a more experienced colleague to shoulder.

Because of Number One, Mich's confidence grew and climaxed with two subsequent visits by the Permanent Secretary and the Minister, where Mich was the only representative chosen to showcase a lesson each time.

Number One taught Mich many lessons in life. Miss Chong, Mich thanks you for being the surrogate mother at work. =)

Thereafter, a new Number One entered the arena.

Mich watched with trepidation on Day One. She knew it would culminate to a horrible heap.

True enough.

Under the biased regiment of the current Number One, many former colleagues have since left the profession.

He has nurtured a culture of petty strife and politicking in order to avoid threat to his position. In his own words (someone actually has this on record), "I don't care because I won't be here in a few years".

The institution suffers.

The staff suffers.

The little ones suffer.

He is the sole reason why this particular institution has registered a record high number of people leaving the profession. In fact, The Body Of This Institution has expressed concern over this issue.

Number Two has been demoted, according to remnant sources.

Previously installed 'Acting' Heads have been eased to the desk of an average joe upon the maximisation of his potential and milked dry. Such individuals bear the brunt of being burdened with management roles for years (A.T. had been an Acting Head for 6 years before it fizzled out with a simple "Thanks for your service but the Body has appointed a formal Head." )

Hard work is never recognised under the new Number One. Mich's bone of contention? Picture this. The lazy sod who had maxed out his annual MCs received the same bonus as the struggling mother who slaved from morning to night at work.

Fair? I should think not.

Don't even let me get started on females.

Certain feline females had mastered the art of wailing, crying and screeching their heads off while slamming doors and files and what-have-yous.

Yes, and Number One had turned a blind eye despite witnessing these.

Why am I broaching on an era gone by?

Because I miss that job.

I miss the family culture we once had, the little ones, the pride and joy of influencing lives.

People who were once friends, are now backbiting enemies, all for the sake of a mere position, which really, has a salary that is a whisker of what one is able to achieve out of the circle.

Increasing administrative redundancy, ridiculous standards set by the Body and watching many little ones falling through the gap are not what Mich stands for.

You see, Mich loved her job.

She loved every bit of going to work with the little (and not-so-little) ones greeting her with huge smiles, of hugging the little ones when they were down, of instilling confidence in them and never to give up even in the face of adversity and strong challenges, never to resign oneself to fate, believing that they could achieve it all with hard work, etc.

Mich had familiar mantras, often chorused in class by the little ones.

"Do it well. Do it swell!"

"Laziness gets you to the land of Nowhere."

"You are what you believe you are."

"If you tell yourself you can, you will."

Mich does not regret leaving the profession for it zapped her passion.

What Mich misses are the Little Ones.

And that's why, she'll always be entering circles involving the Little Ones.

The grass is not only greener (and the moolah better),

But also, there is always, always

Happiness derived from a Little One's smile. =)