Small things, big purposes - By Kai Qi Siew

Written By: Kai Qi Siew

Category: Essay

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the captivating essay "Small things, big purposes," Kai Qi Siew invites readers to explore the untapped potential of everyday objects. This essay, submitted to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, delves into the often-overlooked uses of a simple rubberband. Siew's essay serves as a reminder that creativity can transform the mundane into something extraordinary.

About the Work

Kai Qi Siew's essay is a thoughtful exploration of creativity and resourcefulness. With engaging prose, Siew reveals the myriad of uses for a humble rubberband, highlighting its versatility and potential. The essay conveys a powerful message about the value of innovation and the endless possibilities that await those who think outside the box. Through vivid imagery and personal anecdotes, Siew brings to light the significant impact of small things in our daily lives.

Small things, big purposes

Original Submission by Kai Qi Siew

Small things, big purposes

1 cent, 1 rubberband, thousands of uses. A rubberband is always overlooked in our daily lives. Its cheap value never ceases to amaze me. You may think it’s just a useless rubberband, but to me, its so much more than that.

Paper organizer, handmade paper gun, bracelets and so on can be made by a mere rubberband, how outstanding is that? Paper organizer to soothe your worries of mistakenly taking the wrong paper, handmade paper gun for entertainment, and bracelets to do for fun!

Just as its material, its elastic flexibility gives it the power to shape into anything you want to make. This makes it one of the most renowned objects you never even knew was this great! Amazingly, we can just get it anywhere!

I once showed my friends all my little gadgets that I made using just rubberbands, and they were all impressed. Some even used them to create their own little creations. For example, my friend, Lillie, made a jump rose just using rubberbands! My other friend, who was an athlete, created a long rope to replace the pole of a high jump pole and practiced using it. It helped him to understand his mistakes and helped him beat his new personal best! Some objects may seem normal at first, but if one has an innovative mind, creations will be endless! Edward de Bono: “There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns”.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a celebration of literary creativity and expression. This prestigious event invites participants from around the globe to share their unique voices and perspectives through poetry, essays, and creative writing. The competition aims to foster a community of writers and inspire a love for the written word.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Kai Qi Siew for participating in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 with the essay "Small things, big purposes." Your insightful exploration into the potential of everyday objects has inspired us to look at the world with renewed curiosity and creativity.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.