Disappointed.

That I've been deceived.

That what I believed to be true all this while, is actually nothing but a degrading lie.

Call me a fool for only realising it now.

Darn you tricksters.

...

And it was one day before the exam that she realised that..

..Malaysia's beloved Ministry of Education has taken William Somerset Maugham's short story, 'The Lotus Eater', and stripped it bare of its literary beauty.

The horror!

And they still call it 'by William Somerset Maugham' and made me think that his writings were that simple.

The short story, according to our beloved ministry:

'In 1913, I visited a friend who lived on the island of Capri. Capri is a most beautiful island in the Bay of Naples. From the island, you can see across the water to Mount Vesuvius on the mainland of Italy. ...'

What Mr Maugham really wrote:

'Most people, the vast majority in fact, lead the lives that circumstances have thrust upon them, and though some repine, looking upon themselves as round pegs in square holes, and think that if things had been different they might have made a much better showing, the greater part accept their lot, if not with serenity, at all events with resignation. They are like train-cars travelling forever on the selfsame rails. They go backwards and forwards, backwards and forwards, inevitably, till they can go no longer and then are sold as scrap-iron. It is not often that you find a man who has boldly taken the course of his life into his own hands. When you do, it is worth while having a good look at him. ...'

Gosh. From something so pretty to something fit for primary schoolers!