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Turning Coal Into Diamonds

Peter Kam Fai Cheung SBS

FADE IN:

EXT. MTR - NIGHT

Crowded. PETER checks a phone message.

PETER (V.O.)

Good. I now have a

better idea of the

profile of my audience

and the goal of the

organizer. "Having

a Sense of Purpose"

is the right theme.

Peter types: "I've yet to send you my pptx."

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd) Yes, I've been very busy

with my professional

practice. But the sharing

helps me refocus on

matters that are more

meaningful to me.

FLASHBACK

INT. A HUNG SHUI KIU TEA HOUSE - DAY

A newspaper in hand, Peter (9) reads an inside column.

PETER (V.O.)

One should lead a colourful

life? Yes, but how? I'm just

a country boy, throwing dried

cow dung and flying kites in

the fields.

INT. A TIN SUM FARM HOUSE - DAY

Peter (12) reads a booklet.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

The secret of success is

constancy of purpose?

What do I want to be?

END FLASHBACK

PETER (V.O.)

The hopeful mindset has

never left me.

Pausing.

PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd)

When I was in F.4-F.5,

I just want to become

a pop star. Having tried

from 1968 - 1970, I knew

the objective reality. My

hope was a false one.

Peter changes train at North Point.

PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd)

I became very skeptical

about playing guitar and

singing. Immediately, I

refocused on my studies.

Pausing.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

For my coming talk, my

audience is thinking

about what to read in

universities. In my days,

only 3% of the matriculants

were admitted. After

two unsuccessful attempts,

I lost my hope - for a

while.

Pausing.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

I didn't surrender and

helped myself adapt

to what was required,

seizing whatever

opportunities that I

could get hold of.

Pausing.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

I still take pride in the

scholarships that I won

and the string of degrees

and diplomas that I got.

Peter changes train at Yau Tong.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

In my 4 decades of

civil service, I've created

public value.

Pausing.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

They're the result of my

purposive outlook and

my persistent delivery.

Peter arrives in Lam Tin.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

Yes, I was recognized

with a SBS; but that was

after the fact.

INT. STUDY - DAY

Peter gazes at the computer screen.

PETER (V.O.)

At a recent function,

someone asked me if

I was an alumni of a

famous secondary

school in town. He

couldn't have imagined

I was originally from

Tin Sum San Tsuen,

near Hung Shui Kiu.

Peter moves his hand gently over his chin.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

Having a sense of purpose

guides life goals, provides

directions, and shapes

behaviour. More importantly,

it creates meaning and drives

those who want to pursue a satisfying future - turning

coal into diamonds!

FADE OUT. The End

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