The Sadness Collector

 Sadness Collector by Merlinda Bobis

This story of Merlinda Bobis tells us about the life of a young girl Rica , who was facing a lot of problem while growing up with her . Because Rica' mother went to work overseas as a domestic helper.In order to divert the attention of young Rica her father told her a story about the Big Lady. A lady who eats all of their mess that the lady might grow to fast ang bust from all the sadness she has eaten . So Rica has to be a good girl and save Big Lady by not being sad.

Since, Rica was about three years old , when her father told her about the Big Lady .Just after her mother left them for Paris ,Rica would always listen determinedly to all the noises in the kitchen when the night falls.

One night , Rica heard some noises again and because of the story her father told her , she became so nervous .Rica thought that it was Big Ldy but it was her drunk father. Rica inform her father about her worries  about the Big Lady her father felt guilty of making a story and his wreckless action, he apologized to Rica  that the the Big Lady can't and won't ever get to her  and to top it off he also assured Rica that he loves her dearly. But due to Rica's young mind Rica tends to wait patiently for Big Lady.

This story represent of what is the importance of each specific role by each member of the Filipino family . Traditionally in a Filipino family the father should be the breadwinner while the the mother  should stay at the house and take care of the children. But in the story of " Sadness Collector" it is the opposite instead of following the tradition  the one that provides for their family is the mother.

The mother went to Paris for work and be the actual breadwinner of the family . On the other hand the father is still working and stayed at home with their only child Rica.  The story shows how Rica and her father lacks communicating with each other . And that led to Rica to believed about the Big Lady and because of that they even grew more distant ti each other . In the perspective of Filipinos the mother is the perfect person to look out for the welfare of her child but because Rica's parents switch role. Rica was confused why her mother wasn't with them. And also this story shows the vast adverse effect of of migration to a child and also to the family . For the child it can cause emotional stress, rebellious behavior and ,ect. That's why communication is ver important so that they will have a strong bond as a family.