An "Ah Beng" Story

The stock market was not good for Ah Beng that day,
Thousands of ringgit, all but flushed away.
Transmile Inc faltered, oil lost its glow,
A plague had fallen, on his stock portfolio.

In times of recession, companies often fail,
Those who cheat the system, often winding up in jail.
"BAM!" Goes an explosion. Sound is heard in heaven,
The news tomorrow: Another company, Chapter 11.

Indeed the reports, they are worrying,
KLSE rising without stopping!
Rising, rising, kept on mounting,
Cashflow? Earnings? Hey, who is counting?

Uncles and aunties taking loans to buy more stock,
Who knows if the companies were built on solid rock?
Electronic companies might fail, shipping might sink,
Didn’t anyone tell these new investors to just stop and think?

They read the newspapers; people making loads on the stock market,
“Let’s buy stock too! What about GreenPacket?”
Petronas and Genting, pillars of strength and stability,
Stock price been rising through the roof since January!

Buying and selling stock like there’s no tomorrow!
No more money? Why not borrow?
“KLSE!" shouted the media, “Is the way to fame!”
“Not for me,” said Ah Beng, “To simple and too tame.”

And so, yes, YTL and IOI, he did ignore,
Looking for a small company, through all that blood and gore.
And Sunway City Bhd, he did make walk the plank,
Despite stock returns of more than 200%!

"What about the second board?" they asked,
"It seems to give value, quick and fast."
"No no no. Not for me,"
"Slow returns since 93."

"How about commodities trading?"
"We all know where copper is heading."
"Up up up! Without stopping!"
"No no no. No goods shopping."

"I know what I'll do! I'll short sell!"
"The fastest way to riches, I can tell."
"Thats the answer I concoct."
Quote the broker, "Short some stock."

It didn't quite work out. His investments failed.
"This wasn't supposed to happen!" Ah Beng wailed.
He short bad stock, doing it twice.
How did he choose them? Rolled the dice!

Somewhere out there, the sun is shining,
Weather is fine, kids are playing.
People are laughing, future not in doubt,
But not Ah Beng. His stock struck out.