Once upon a time, there was this popular urban legend in Singapore: "In the late seventies, during the construction of the great Benjamin Sheares Bridge, rumours of children being kidnapped for their heads to be served as the foundation of the bridge spread like wild fire."
Benjamin Sheares bridge is the longest bridge in Singapore at 1.8km. It was named after the late president. Actual construction work started in 1977 and bridge was completed in 1981.
I was a secondary school boy at that time studying at Queenstown Secondary Technical School.
From my home in Kinta Road in Little India, I need to travel a long distance by public buses to Queenstown. Everyday, I walked to Jalan Besar road and hopped on a long bus ride to school. After school, again I will took another long bus ride home and get off at Serangoon Road. To think back, I really do not like the idea of traveling so far from home to study. The long bus rides commuting to and fro school is really very unpleasant. Throughout my four years of studies at the school, I remembered I was always in the afternoon sessions. So by the time I finished classes and boarded the bus at the very busy Alexandra Road bus stop outside school, it was already sunset. I will have to stand all the way on board the fully laden bus with my heavy school bag and traveled through even busier places like Orchard Road and so forth to reach home. It's exhausting. Every evening, I reached home tired, tired. Always the last few to eat dinner. It's not exciting at all!
So now, when I advise my own children to select schools, my mind is set. Do not go too far! It's not worth the hassle!
Back to the seventies, everybody is concerned about child kidnappings. It started with two young boys who went missing at my alma mater, Owen Primary School and it became a nationwide issue. So, in a way, being a young teenager at that time, I was affected. My parents were worried about me and my younger brother. Add on the long commute to school, it was a big worry.
Everyday, I was asked to suck and chew on licorice root (甘草）and to have a few spare ones in my pocket. The reason and reasons was a blank to me? Was it really a talisman? How is that piece of root going to protect me from harm?
Decades later, I remains curious about this mystery and the roots.
So I decided to read up.
My findings about licorice roots are as follows:
>Sweet tasting licorice has been used for over 5000 years to soothe chest and throat complaints.
>Second most prescribed herb in China following ginseng
>As with any powerful medicine, licorice can be harmful if misused
>Chinese considered licorice as a general tonic, beautifying agent and elixir of life
>A list of 365 medicinal herbs were compiled in China and licorice was listed as a "superior" ancient herb.
>Chinese give licorice root to children to aid muscle development
>In China, licorice is felt to boost the body, long-term usage leads to clear eyes and vibrancy.
So, what has licorice roots got to do with prevention of child kidnapping?
My own possible explanations for the use of this roots:
>With a healthy body and lung and a cleared throat, we can run and shout for help when in danger.
I also read that singers used to chew the root to strengthen the throat and protect their sources of income, and asthmatics took the same plant to help them breathe.
>When you are busy chewing the roots, you can avoid talking to strangers, so less risks of being kidnapped.
Sucked on a slice of dried root, your taste bud will encounter the sweetness of this ancient herb. They said licorice roots is 50 times sweeter than sugar. And you won't be tempted by strangers offering you other candies.
>Chewing the root can strengthen your heart, so you don't feel frighten facing danger.
It brings on a healthy and robust appearance that you look smart and bright, so deterred any risks of easy targets by kidnappers
As for the bridge rumors, it was without any basis. The rumors might be due to frequent kidnappings in Singapore in the sixties/seventies, and people did not believe such a huge bridge could be built without any issues. Parents were worried with the various reporting of child kidnappings and they were trying to keep their children from going out after dark.
As such, this urban legend died off over the years.
Today, my wife still uses licorice roots. Not for the kids to chew but she will add it to her cooking when she boils green bean soup. It's a healthy supplement and adds flavor to the dessert.
