They say that in times of change and oppression, the arts are used to express the thoughts and wishes of the people. George Orwell wrote ‘Animal Farm’, Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote ‘Uncle Tom's Cabin’.

These are, of course, examples from great authors. But if we look closely around us, we might find smaller versions from the people around us. Here's an allegory my husband wrote about our dear Malaysia. Enjoy.

'I visited the public pool just the other day

To teach my daughter how to swim in just the usual way

With goggles for her eyes and a pair of flippers for her feet

I’d encourage her to face her fears coz this was no small feat

It took a lot of patience, a lot of time in the sun

To show her how to hold her breath and have a bit of fun

But I got to say the kickboard helped her quite immensely

For all she had to do to swim was paddle consistently

She could hold it at the top to keep her head above the water

Or hold it by the bottom edge to practice under water

As she glided here and there, she’d shout, ‘Hey this is cool’

The kickboard helped her confidence right there in the pool

Kickboard, oh Kickboard what would I do?

If I did not have you, oh, what would I do?

The plan - as you’d expect - was to wean her off the board

To bring a babe into this world, you’d have to cut the cord

But weaning takes effort and that’s hard work for some

I know it’s true because my girl at four still sucks her thumb

So little by little I’d show what she could do

Without that kickboard, the wonders she could do

I can glide all by myself just like a Superman

I can learn to use my arms the way real swimmers can

I can pretend I’m like a dolphin and do it all day long

I can swim all kinds of strokes and show that I am strong

Strong enough to hold my own even in the deep end

Strong enough to teach others or lend a helping hand

Kickboard, oh, Kickboard what I could do

If I did not have you, oh, what I could do

But dreams were great until some boy came to burst her bubble

He snatched the board from under her and caused her to struggle

‘Mine, mine’ he jeered at us, ‘I’d warn you not to shout’

‘Coz my dad’s the owner and I’m sure he can throw you out!’

So off he went with one kickboard terrorising others

Telling them, ‘What’s yours is mine, so go run to your mothers!’

He didn’t care that he did not need a kickboard to swim

He didn’t care that there were others more deserving than him

I wish we could just get along in this public pool

I wish they’d teach kids better in the public schools

So as for me, I’d teach my girl - be graceful and to pray

That one day, Insyallah, we’ll find the better way'