AFTER lighting the kerosene lamp or better known in local parlance as petromax, I went upstairs towards the kitchen where the family was gathered for the night supper. Unnoticed, my cute little boy- Rene- zoomed his way down groundfloor where the petromax and the sari-sari store where located while we were enjoying our meal. Not so soon smoke enveloped our two-storey house followed by crackling noise. We were alarmed. We all left the table and rushed out to find where the trouble was.

Downfloor, we found the petromax already ablazed with a wide-brimmed buri hat on. Excited and truly enjoying the spectacle- Rene- innocent and unmindful of the possible outcome of his act, gladly stood by.  He got the buri hat and placed it on the lighted petromax.  In a short while the heated hat emitted smoke and soon went up in flames.

This is a flashback of a near tragedy way back in 1964 about 6:00 PM in our Paranas residence adjacent and west to the Mabulays. I shouldered the blame for forgetting to hang back the petromax in place. Rene was 3-year old then.

[1]  What is a kerosene lamp or petromax?  What is it used for?  [2]  Where was the family gathered?  For what purpose?  [3]  What did Rene do with the hat?  What happened to the hat?  [4]  Is Rene to blame for playing with the hat by placing it on the lighted petromax?  Why?  [5]  Who is to blame for the near-fire tragedy?  Why?  Did he admit his guilt?  What can you say of someone who readily admits his wrongdoings?

TITA and my first-born son, Rene who was about two years old then and me were strolling one afternoon on the left pedestrian lane fronting Maryland Pharmacy leading to Pier 1 in Catbalogan. Upon reaching the crossing, I absent mindedly, crossed the busy street alone, leaving them behind. Midway- realizing traffic hazards, I turned back to help them. Rene didn't wait for me to get back to them. He tried to break free from his mother hold. Eyes glowing with confidence and casting away precautions, Rene smiled and half-trotted to meet me.on the pedestrian crossing. Then the inevitable happened. Before I could reach out my hand to grab him, Rene's foot slipped and fell face flat on the pavement.

Rene fall created quite a thud that invited the attention of pedestrians and passersby. He moaned and groaned, his face writhing in pain. Alarmed, I picked and cradled him in my arms. Then I felt something wrong with him. Rene has just fainted.

Flagging a pedicab, I brought him quick to the provincial hospital. In the hospital waiting area with Rene still in my arms, the boy regained consciousness. Life, color and vigor came back to him so soon. After the examination, the doctor uttered a pleasant-to-hear findings: "There's no cause for alarm. The boy is okay". After saying my heartfelt gratitude to the kind doctor, I whispered, "Thank you, Lord".

[1] What was Rene's family doing that afternoon? [2} Why did Rene's father turn his way back? What happened to Rene? [3) What caught the attention of pedestrians and passersby? [4] What was done to Rene after his fall? [5] What did Rene's father say to the doctor? Is it okay for him to thank the Lord? Why?