Write me a letter from....

Chapter 2 - The Journalist

Shun Yee opened the daily newspaper. Once again, as it was with the past few days, the news about the war in Baghdad stared back at her. It was unnerving. The reports on the bombings, the number of death tolls, the sufferings of the people, the conditions of life, the heart wrenching photographs that captured the agony of the innocent people during times of war. Her heart went out to them and the pain that they have to go through.

She shook her head, saying a little prayer in her heart for the unfortunate ones. Why must people take part in so much hate? Why must the weak and poor suffer for the folly of the rich and powerful? Why even after so long, nothing is learned and old sins are continued? Who is to be blamed? The people? The government? The enemy?

Then, she thought about people who made the plight of the common people known to the world, the journalists and the photographers who forgo the comfort of their own homes, the loving arms of their families and the security of their home country to write about those who were oppressed and under suffering. She thought about the dangers they faced, the harsh realities that they had to go through, just to bring out the truth to the public around the world.

"Truly, these guys are sacrificing a great deal," she thought to herself.

"I wonder how their families and partners can take it knowing that they are putting their lives at risk at every moment?"

That day, for some reason, the article touched her. From the way it was written, she could tell that the journalist really felt for the unfortunate people there. He understood their plight and their sufferings. The photos spoke a thousand words to her about the life there in the torn country. It was not the normal news report that she read from day to day.

She started.

There was only one person who could write that way. Only one person who could take the photographs in that angle. Only one person who could touch her heart through his writing and photos. She glanced down at the journalists' name under the heading of the article.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Jack Tan.