Cousin from Abroad

Shiny was thrilled to hear that her cousins from Australia were coming to visit. She had never met Jaxun, Amy, and Kenneth before and was eager to show them around Sabah. However, as soon as they arrived, Shiny noticed something strange. Her cousins seemed uncomfortable with the local food and customs. Shiny felt a knot in her stomach. How could she make them feel at home when everything seemed so different?

Jaxun, Amy, and Kenneth were curious but hesitant about trying new things. Amy wrinkled her nose at the idea of eating durian. - What's that smell? Amy asked. Shiny laughed nervously. - It's durian, she said. - It's delicious once you try it! But her cousins weren't convinced, making Shiny wonder if they would enjoy their visit.

The next day, Shiny decided to take them to the local river for a swim. But when they arrived, Kenneth seemed uneasy. - Is it safe to swim here? Kenneth asked, eyeing the water suspiciously. Shiny reassured him, - It's perfectly safe and so much fun! Still, Kenneth hesitated, and Amy and Jaxun seemed to share his concern. Shiny felt her spirits drop.

The following day, Shiny took them on a jungle trek. The cousins were fascinated but also wary of the unfamiliar plants and sounds. Amy jumped at the sight of a monkey swinging overhead. - Are there any dangerous animals? Amy asked, clutching Shiny's arm. - Not at all, Shiny replied, trying to sound confident. But she could see her cousins were still uneasy.

Despite Shiny's efforts, her cousins seemed to find something to worry about each day. Shiny felt like she was disappointing them. - Maybe they just don't like it here, Shiny thought sadly. She began to doubt if she could bridge the gap between their worlds. Her heart was heavy with the thought of their visit being a failure. - What if they leave unhappy? Shiny worried.

One evening, Shiny overheard her cousins talking. - I miss home, Kenneth admitted. - I didn't expect things to be so different, Amy added. Shiny suddenly realized the problem wasn't the activities, but how unfamiliar everything felt to them. She decided she needed to show her cousins the beauty in the differences, not just the similarities. This gave her a new idea.

Shiny decided to organize a special 'Cultural Exchange' day. She invited her cousins to share something from Australia while she shared something from Sabah. - Let's make this our special day! Shiny suggested excitedly. Her cousins brightened at the idea. - That sounds fun! Jaxun agreed. Shiny's heart lifted as she saw them smile.

But as the day approached, Shiny felt overwhelmed. - What if it doesn't work? she worried aloud. Her cousin Amy gave her a reassuring hug. - We'll figure it out together, Amy said. Shiny nodded, grateful for the support. Yet doubt lingered in her mind, making her question her abilities once more.

On the day of the event, Shiny's friends came to help, bringing traditional costumes and games. Her cousins showed them how to play cricket and taught them an Aussie song. Shiny watched as everyone laughed and shared stories. Suddenly, she realized that tolerance wasn't just about accepting differences, but celebrating them. Her heart swelled with pride.

By the end of the visit, Shiny's cousins were reluctant to leave. - We'll miss you, Shiny! Kenneth said with a smile. - This was the best part of our trip, Amy added. Shiny waved as they left, feeling a warmth inside her. She had learned how powerful tolerance could be, and she knew her cousins had too. It had been a visit to remember.