Long, long time ago, in the Northern part of Singapore, there lived a platoon of pint-sized ducklings in the comfort of Seletar Reservoir. Everyday, they awake to the glorious auburn shades of the morning sunrise, greeted by the melodious chirping of their neighbours up above, and the soothing music of leaves rustling with great morning energy.

The 5 great ducklings, namely Ken, Evan, Durich (people call him Dur), Xi and Bline were very close friends since birth. They were like family, and in the comfort of their residence in the grand and expansive pond of Seletar Reservoir, they did almost everything and anything together. Clad in an exquisite arrangement of feathers and draped in the most expensive fur coat in the purest snow white, the five ducklings reminded many of true perfection. They were really quite something. The sparrows envied them for their luxurious coat of feather, the crickets yearned for their melodious voice, the bullfrogs would die for their gracefulness in water and the fire ants just wished for that same kind of cohesiveness the ducklings share to be brought back into their colony.

"Thank you. Last but not least... I've said this time and time again, but I mean it when I say I will die for anyone of you! You guys are like family to me!" Ken announced upon receiving the grand trophy during a recent story-telling competition held by the committee members of Seletar Reservoir.

Life in Seletar Reservoir was a certain luxury for the 5 ducklings. Treated like celebrities, they often stroll along the banks of the river with their heads held high, exuding great pride and confidence. However, there are times when their routinely 'runway' walk of fame becomes the subject of crude interruption by avid anglers swarming the jetties. They hold no regard to wildlife when they cast their rods out time and time again. They have been gravely marked as a serious threat to the community. There has been numerous cases of missing persons (mostly the family of beautiful peacock bass) and frequent complaints of disturbance, putting the appointment of the Mayor (an elegant and ferocious alligator) into serious question. There was once, the entire community was rudely awaken by a young and loving couple at 5 in the morning. The couple sounded very excited albeit their evident lack of sleep in their faces. They could also be heard openly complaining about the outrageous taxi fare that they have just paid. But all in all, the gentleman sounded very grateful for the lady's company.

So, life in Seletar Reservoir is not all that good. The 5 ducklings also have their fair share of hardships and disappointments. On one night at an annual Gala dinner organised in appreciation of the earlier generation of the community, the parents of the five ducklings sat together and had a drop too much. In the name of fun, the effects of the alcohol pounding their senses were mistakenly ignored and pushed aside. On the way back home, Bline's father volunteered to drive and met with a fatal accident that claimed the lives of nine other. The 5 ducklings all lost their parents that fateful night.

On one sunny afternoon after the deaths of their parents, the 5 ducklings met and consoled each other like how real brothers would. They came to realize that the final words of their parents coincide.

"My parents told me that God has a greater plan for me. A purpose. And that my life is so much, so much more." Xi broke the silence.

"My mom told me the same thing the other day before she left us!" Dur said, sounding extremely surprised. By evening, everyone shared their stories and speculated that maybe all 5 of them are indeed meant for greater things. That very night, the 5 ducklings, Bline, Xi, Ken, Dur and Evan, vouched to stand by each other under all circumstances.

In the year 1998,the Great Depression came. The land of Singapura was facing a threatening economic crisis. Many were out of job. Lands were reclaimed by the government and a majority of the nation was in a hazardous state.

The day finally came. It was time for the Mayor to step down after receiving news that he had failed to win the bid against the government for the land of Seletar Reservoir. Demolishers woke the community up one morning. Cranes, trucks and many other strange industrial-looking heavy duty vehicles soon swarmed the entire area of Seletar Reservoir. The sparrows were well prepared and were enroute in search for their next residence. Annual migration, some would call it. The bullfrogs disappeared into the thick of the forest, bringing with them all their belongings. The fire ants hid in their secret underground location, burrowing deep into the soil. Something they have been preparing weeks ago when rumours started surfacing that Seletar Reservoir is facing a crisis. The crickets were left helpless and resigned to fate, chirping in unison in hope that there will be a miracle. The 5 ducklings, prideful as they were, decided to stand their ground and fend off whatever that would come their way.

All of a sudden, a large hose the size of a car was dropped and inserted into the river. The 5 ducklings braced themselves for what's coming. Unbeknownst to them, the government has called for a mass wipeout of wildlife, calling them a 'nuisance of liability'. The workers have been instructed to release a certain chemical death-black in colour, consisting of highly toxic materials and hazardous waste meant to take out wildlife in the shortest time possible.

"I'm scared." Bline sobbed. The 5 ducklings remain rooted to the ground, hand in hand, encouraging each other that God will save them surely.

As the black tar spread across the expansive pond slowly, the 5 ducklings became more and more frightened. But they never waiver. Seletar Reservoir was almost vacant by this time, the rest of their neighbours making their successful escape.

"Should we run too?" Xi questioned, fear evidently reflected in his eyes. Soon, they started arguing. Out of the blue, Ken made a mad dash for the shore.

"No! Ken!" Bline screamed as his counterpart made his selfish departure. Soon, the rest followed suit. Everything went into a mad frenzy. A mad dash to the shore. A successful escape. That was all they could think about. All.

All but one. Bline remained steadfast, rooted to the spot. Refusing to move.

'You are meant for greater things, Bline,' his parent's final words resonated hard in his imagination.

That moment came and went like a whirlwind. The toxic tar engulfed Bline, as his last vision was to see four handsome ducklings standing relieved on safe ground.

What seemed like seconds turned out to be days, the next vision reappeared. Bline was resting in the comfort of a makeshift bed made by twigs and green leaves, tucked into the deep ends of a very foreign-looking forestry. When his eyes opened, he was elated. He saw his four other brothers.

"Where am I?" Bline questioned. Nobody replied. Their backs were faced against him.

"Brothers, where are we?" Bline repeated. Again, nobody turned their backs. He was confused. What had happened during the torment?

All of a sudden, Ken turned and said in an embarrassed tone, "Bline... You are. I can't do this. But you look... Different.".

Bline, still evidently confused, arched his neck and squinted.

"I don't think I can... I don't think we can... Anymore. You look..." Xi mumbled in a half-apologetic half-angry tone.

"Let's face it, okay, Bline. I'm going to be as straightforward as I can be. You look horrible, you look like shit, you're an embarrassment, and I don't ever think I want to be your friend. We've talked about this, all 4 of us, and we've decided that the most sensible thing to do is to go our separate ways. You, alone, away from the 4 of us. Forever. I mean it. For-ever!" Dur broke the silence, being the most outspoken of the gang. With that, the four ducklings turned and marched away, never once looking back.

Struck by confusion having just woke up, Bline got up from the comfort of the makeshift bed with great effort and walked as fast as he could towards their direction.

"Don't you dare follow us, Bline, don't you dare. Don't even think about it!" Evan shouted.
Slowly, Bline retracted his footsteps, sobbing, not knowing what he have done to deserve such treatment. He walked in the opposite direction. He walked endlessly, pointlessly, crestfallen that the people he once called brothers have left him for good.

Suddenly, a glistening ray of sun filtered through the thick canopy, piercing his eyes without warning. Bline looked up, and saw a small pond about a few feet away. He walked faster, almost running, eager to soak in the cool comfort of the pond. 'It must have been days since I last took a bath' Bline thought to himself.

What greeted him took him off his feet. He fell back instantaneously after looking at the reflection of himself in the pond. What used to be a grand texture of snowy white feather was now a thick layer of pitch-black tar. Bline looked like a mynah, the kind everyone despise. He looked like a joke, looked like an utter embarrassment. It was only now that he realized the reason behind his brothers' reaction. Angry and sad, Bline screamed endlessly and painfully in release. He wailed and wailed, not knowing what to do.

'I am an embarrassment.' Bline said to himself, dejected. The once good-looking guy was now reduced to a state beyond recognition. There was nothing he can do.

As he sat, heartbroken, he picked up a twig and started writing on the soft soil beneath him, fighting back tears.

'Ken,' he scribbled. 'Evan,' try as he might, the tears did not stop. 'Xi,' he went on and on until the names of the 5 ducklings were etched deep into the soil. He stood up and looked deftly into the names he had just written. They used to be friends, comrades, brothers. They used to do everything together, go shopping together, hunt for delicacies, exercise, catch a movie... Now suddenly, everything is gone. And for good. He has nothing left. He is nothing. Nothing. Nothing, nothing, nothing.

Suddenly, an imaginary voice crept up to his senses, 'You are meant for greater things, Bline, meant for far greater things.' Bline was taken aback. Was he hearing things? He glanced around. There was no one in sight.

'Always remember, you are meant for greater things.' the voice resounded graciously through the sickening loneliness of the forest.

'Don't let anyone take you down. You are great for He is great.' once again, Bline looked around. Still, no one was there.

'You look beautiful, stunning. Internally, externally.'

'Go on, spread the word, tell the world. There are greater things meant for you. This is your purpose. Your calling.'

"Who are you?" Bline questioned aloud, thinking to himself that he must look stupid talking to himself.

'Who is but a function of what, in which this case, is unnecessary. You must only know one thing and one thing only - that you look stunning and you should never let anyone bring you down like this. Look up always, because life is too short to be looking down.' the voice answered.

"What greater things?! I am but a sorry embarrassment! I can't even look myself in the mirror!" Bline replied in painful agony.

'Correct me if I'm wrong, Mr Bline. Your kindred soul speaks of love, care, concern and goodness. You are talented in many ways. You are smart, playful and you have always been the highlight of your friends.' the voice said.

This time, Bline did not reply.

'You know I am right. Why do you let your outlook maim what's within you? Everyone can see that you will mature into a classy gentleman. Do not, for once, care that I will mind how you look like. I take interest only in the important. In which this case, it is what within.'

A full minute passed, giving Bline sufficient time for what he as just heard to sink in.

'If there is anyone at all that comes to you and seeks to change you, you will let him or her know that you're as good-looking as the Mayor's kids, as good-looking as the moon, as good-looking as the tallest tree in the world. You will stand tall, majestic in all ways, and go on and make the world a better place for everyone. You will seek to correct every wrong. That is your purpose. Your only purpose.'

'Do not put effort in the superficial. For you are what's most real in my heart. I love you.' the voice said in closure.

Bline peered down onto the 5 names he has scribbled. Ken, Evan, Xi, Dur, Bline. He has never felt so embarrassed of himself. He has felt good about himself every living day of his life until the torment. He knew what it meant when the voice said to void off all negative thoughts pointed in his direction. He need to learn how to feel good about himself all over again, to gain back that confidence he once possessed.

Suddenly, a few words magically appeared adjacent to names he has scribbled.

The words I am the Holy One appeared on top of the names he has scribbled. Bline blinked repeatedly, making sure this was not a dream. At that very moment, the words How Magnificent A Man You Are appeared below the names. Bline took a couple of steps back, frightened. And then suddenly, the 5 names cross dissolved and shuffled their position. Ken, Evan, Xi, Dur, Bline, that was what he had scribbled. Magically, the order of the names has been shuffled - Evan Dur Bline Ken Xi. 

For once in a very long time, Bline looked to the skies and managed a perfect, relieving smile. Evan Dur Bline Ken Xi. Even The Blind Can See.

I am the Holy One. Even the Blind can see how magnificent a man you are.