Rules of the Game

This story was okay. I didn't like the ending that much because I almost felt as though she gave up. I realize that she was young and she couldn't just move out or anything, but she just went to her room and it was like she went to pout. However, I did like how she worked hard and achieved her ultimate goal and didn't put up with anyone using her. It was kind of funny how her brother was the one who got the game, yet she was the one who practiced and learned to play well. The whole park thing was kind of weird too. I don't know if it's just because this is a short story and I'm used to novels, but they didn't even mention where her mom or brothers were. I can't imagine that she was there by herself, but again that might just be because I'm used to every last detail in novels. I really did enjoy how she stood up for herself against her mother though. At first I thought she was going to turn out to be a spoiled brat because it said that she didn't have to eat everything if she didn't want to, and she didn't have to do her chores if she didn't feel like it. I thought that was wrong on her parents part. Just because she learned how to play chess well doesn't mean that she should be treated any different. I think that if I had a child and he or she became a chess champion, I would still require him or her to do their chores, and I would still punish him or her as I would my other children. It was like her mother was playing favorites. I know that that didn't make Winston and Vincent feel much better about themselves. Wave-ly Jong is smart for only being six, though. She knew that her mother only made her go to the market with her so that she could show her off and flaunt her talent. It was kind of funny how she ran away and when she came back she didn't even get in trouble. I think I'm starting to see the theme with the parenting because this is the second story in a row that the mother seems loving and caring, but deep down she has an ulterior motive.