Exactly one week ago, the grand old icon of Singapore, the merlion, was struck by lightning for the very first time in over 30 years. It's appalling that such a security lapse actually happened in our city state. After all, this fellow has been spitting into the Singapore River in full view of the public for 3 long decades. Had the Home Team acted earlier, Mr. Merlion would have been safe behind bars instead of being whacked in the head by a wayward lightning (see picture below). "Why?", you asked me.
Firstly, spitting is an offence punishable by fine up to $2,000.
Secondly, Mr. Merlion was performing without a public entertainment licence, an offence that attracts a jail sentence.
Thirdly, he was stark naked, and still is. Remember how fast the Home Team responded when a naked couple was sighted in Holland Village some weeks back?
But of course, it helps that Mr. Merlion is an iconic figure like no others, a little like Steve Jobs is to Apple. Besides immediate attention to control and repair the damage, fengshui masters have been busy making predictions of what this means for Singapore. Some say this is an
"ignition of wealth", a sign of good things to come, especially when the damage could have been worse. Indeed, our merlion was lucky to have escaped with just a little bruise. Imagine the more horrid scenario of the head being lopped off. Ew! Gross!
Anyway, we positive Singaporeans like to see the bright side of things. Yes, it's a positive sign, one that fittingly ushers in the Marina Sands IR due later this year with a bang (pardon the pun). Now that the Singapore Flyer is once again spinning, and the merlion may get a little lightning rod, elevating it to the status of a merlionicorn (merlion + unicorn), the equivalent of Yokozuna for sumo wrestlers, hey, it's sunny days once more, Singaporeans.
Thank you, Merlion. And in the midst of all the economic doom and gloom, you, the lightning and the fengshui masters have provided a much needed, almost comic, relief.
Thomas
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