Rules of the Game

I don't have a set opinion for this story. I thought it was good in some cases and bad in others.

This story was enjoyable. It showed what one girl would do in order to achieve something she really wanted. At first she just played chess for enjoyment, sacrificing her Lifesavers in order for a turn at the game. She also took the time to play with other opponents at the park and the courtyard. I also thought Meimei was very clever for her age. She knew how her mother thought. If Meimei begged to play in the tournaments then her mother wouldn't allow it. However if she said she wouldn't have a chance at winning her mother automatically would allow her to go. This is typical Asian parenting. They are always having their kids go and achieve higher and higher no matter what the circumstances. I can relate to this having an Asian parent who always pushes me to do better even if I am already on top. Also when an Asian parent gets mad at you for disrespecting them, like Meimei, they don't ground you. They give you the 'silent treatment' and somehow the kid knows they did something wrong. I have also experienced this and I think it is worse than being grounded.

This story was also not as good. Once Meimei became 'famous' from chess she started neglecting chores. Also she had other people change for her well being. For example when she said she couldn't sleep next to a noisy room, her brother had to move his room to a different one. However Meimei was also at the age, around 9, where if kids want anything and they usually get it. In addition, I thought it was very sad that Meimei never went back to the park to play with the old man who taught her all the rules and secrets of chess. She should have at least thanked him.

The moral of this story is not to let fame get to your head. Meimei became really well known in chess but it also caused her to be a diva. She would never have to do any chores or finish her food. In the end her ending wasn't happy at all she ended up having her mom resent her and have her as an adversary.