This story was submitted as part of “Good People Good Deeds” English Writing Competition 2025-26, hosted by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. The theme is to write stories about universal moral values including dignity, kindness, respect, impartiality and the spirit of humanity.

The fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic had just started.

At Queen Mary hospital, a child was crying.

“No, Mother. Please, don’t leave me yet.”

In another room, a machine had gone flat.

While all of this was happening, a doctor was experimenting. A doctor by the name of Dr. Lee Zhong Ming was trying to invent a vaccine.

“Why won’t this work?” Dr. Lee said. “According to my research, this should work, but it doesn't.”

He sighed; brow furrowed. Walking over to the laboratory’s only window, his mind churned with all the possibilities of mistakes that might have happened.

“Is it because of the viruses or is it because of the gelatin?”

The door to the swung open suddenly without the slightest knock.

“What did I tell you about knocking before you enter?” Dr. Lee shouted.

“Sorry doctor but another patient is dying,” Dr. Lai replied.

“Try this new vaccine then, I don't think it’ll work but… just try it.”

“I’ll try.”

The door opened and the room was silent once more.

Dr. Lee sighed.

Looking around the lab, he realized that there were items everywhere.

There was a lopsided bottle on the dull gray floor, half-read papers spread out all over the table, unsuccessful experiments on the floor.

Wait, he hadn’t finished reading the papers yet, maybe he would understand the virus better if he finished reading the reports.

And so, Dr. Lee got to work, papers started getting piled up one by one on the desk, until finally, he read all of the papers.

Dr. Lee’s mind was churning with new found information.

“Dr. Lee,” a voice suddenly shouted.

“How many more times do I have to tell you to knock before you enter?”

Dr. Lee shouted back.

“Oh right, yes, I forgot, but the thing I wanted to tell you was that the vaccine still didn’t work.”
“Well that was surprising, wasn’t it?”

“Why was it surprising?”

“I was being sarcastic, but back to the actual subject. I need help for this next experiment I’m testing.”

“Whatever you need, I can help.”
Thirty minutes later they were back in the lab.

“Remember the steps, open the bottle, pour all the antigens and stabilizer in then put the cap on.” Dr. Lee said nervously.

“3, 2, 1, go.” Dr. Lee shouted.

Liquid began to be poured into the bottle, then more.

Once all the steps were done. They looked at each other.

“Now all we have to do is inject this into a patient,” Dr. Lai said.

Holding the vaccine nervously, they walked towards the patient.

“If we pull this off, we can save thousands upon millions of lives,” Dr. Lee said,” let’s do this.”

When they injected the vaccine, they all held their breaths, nervously waiting for the results.

After an hour passed, Dr. Lai asked, “Did it work?”.

Dr. Lee nodded.

“Yes!” The whole room erupted in celebration.

“We did it, Dr. Lai.” Dr. Lee cried.

“No, you did it,” Dr. Lai replied.

Humanity