Calculators have already taken the place of the traditional abacuses. People in the future may never know about this ancient Chinese calculation tool or get to hear the unique sound it creates. When I was young, this is a tool that was commonly seen at rice vendors, grocery stores and Chinese medicine shops. It is a very familiar sound, just like the laughter of neighbors.

I am the owner of a medicine shop. Every day at the shop, I always use this calculation tool to set the prices and calculate the prescription fees for the clients. Only on the first three days of the Lunar New Year is the shop closed, and the abacus’ sound temporarily absent.

計數機已取代傳統算盤的地位，日後人們可能永不會知道什麼是中國古代的計算工具，也再不會聽到這工具發出的獨特聲音。這是少時候一般商店經常見到的計算工具，在米舖、雜貨店及藥材店舖內都可找到，這種聲音十分親切，就如左鄰右里街坊的笑聲一樣。
我是藥材店的東主，天天開舖營業時，我都一定要利用這個計算工具來定出價錢，為客人計藥單。只有大年初一至三，店舖休息，算盤的聲響才暫時消失。