Adapt

In 6 months, the world has changed beyond belief. Even the cars at Chong Pang Market practise social distancing. The fruit stall in the middle of the concourse used to spread its wares onto generous wooden planks sitting on trestles. That fruit stall was, for me, the Queen of the market. It was the Chong Pang equivalent of a Greek cornucopia of fruits. When I go to Chong Pang Market, 2 stalls have a palpable golden glow- the braised pork stall and this fruit stall.

For a time, the fruit stall was made to close because it attracted so many people that social distancing rules were flouted again and again. Its temporary closure sent a chilling message to every other market stall. Overnight, people donned mask and ensured social distancing.

Now, the fruit stall is back in business, minus its trestles and planks. For a while, the stall looked naked and forlorn. They could only display fruits on tables right inside the shop. The shop is TINY. It's like the difference between a wet Pistachio just out of his bath, and a dry Pistachio just after his blow dry. My Pistachio, minus his fluffy fur, looks like a rat.

When I next saw the stall, I laughed out loud in delight. Evidence of creative and adaptive thinking always makes me happy. Since they weren't allowed to display on tables, the hawkers decided to hang fruits on the wall. So adorably smart!