Teacher Returns Tamagotchi-Style Device 21 Years After Confiscating It

A retiring teacher has finally returned a Tamagotchi-style device to a former student more than 20 years after it was confiscated from him in class.

Lai Wai Kit was a student at the Chinese High School (TCHS) in Singapore, which is now called the Hwa Chong Institution.

Newsflash

According to news site Mashable, Kit said a teacher at his school confiscated his Digivice (similar to a Tamagotchi), which he was using to raise his digital pet. Ahh, simpler times.

He had saved up to buy the device but was caught playing with it in school by Mr Lim, who took it away from him - for his own good.

He said that although he asked for it back a few times, it was never passed over and he eventually gave up.

Understandably, he was upset when it was confiscated, realising that the electronic animal he'd put all his time into would die without regular attention.

Newsflash

But it turned out to be for the best.

He said it had helped him to get on the right track and make a success of himself.

Kit told national news outlet Mothership that he had previously been a bit of a rebel and would colour his hair and wear funky shoes.

He had never expected to see the device again, until he saw a note saying that the school teacher responsible, Jeffrey Lim, was retiring.

Newsflash

He had written to him to say how much he appreciated his advice, even if it cost him his toy.

He wrote: "My Tamagotchi is still in your confiscated drawer, thanks for the life lessons, Mr Lim!"

However, he wasn't expecting the teacher to send a note back, but he replied saying: "Is this a Tamagotchi? I managed to receive this small gadget inside my steel cabinet this morning."

Newsflash

Kit replied that he had only been joking, but it was indeed his.

He went to the school to collect it in person and to reunite with his former teacher, with the two pictured together. He presumably shared a less happy reunion with his pet.

Kit posted a homage to his former teacher on Facebook saying: "It is said that the best teachers are those who show you where to look but don't tell you what to see.

"I guess the best teachers are those who tell me where not to go, so I know what I can be. Happy retirement Mr Lim!"

Topics: World News, Weird

Amelia Ward

Amelia is a journalist at LADbible. After studying journalism at Liverpool John Moores and Salford Uni (don't ask), she went into PR and then the world of music. After a few years working on festivals and events, she went back to her roots. In her spare time, Amelia likes music, Liverpool FC, and spending good, quality time with her cat, Paul. You can contact Amelia at [email protected].

@ameliasward