Singapore model-composition-primary-5

A Fatal Road Accident
Ronald's hcad noddcd as hc drcc alons thc cxprc$Nar'. Hc blinkcd his
crcscontinuousl! and rDbbedlis aaccNnb his frcc hmd lokcpalkc Hocei
sLcp slonlr orLyc.oe l . $ ie dror. ilong ll)c d.s.ned ru.d.
Bcforc lons. Ron.ld sas noddins oflb slccp .8ain Hc shook hk hcrd
ligololsll lnd r@k , sip lroh his arcr boric. Il procd incfcc c. Hc as
still snching his car foh side lo ride. As he ried to eain conrrol oa lhe ct he
hcard tlc scrccching ofhrakcs and t[c blarins ofho s. Ronald rcalized a second
loo lalc lhal hc hrd $v$cd risht inlo thc palh of a rhitc cd Thc hitc car $as
rar.lling ioo adl to stop Tl'c diojrn'ned hh aoor on Lhe brakcs bu lo no
aGil His car ciashcd so ndd iflo Ro.ald statbo$caa spun in circlcs u.ril ('o)
canc to a slop al lhc dnidcr
Ronald lost consciousncss lor a shilc Whcn hc $okc up. hc as stunncd
ro scc dark grc) smok billoing lround him Hc tiod lo rcmor. hk scrr
bclr bll n $rs sruct. Whcn nc tricd to opc. lhc d@i. it Nould not bldgc. Hc
bangcd auriouslr- on thc rindo'. hoping $at son.onc ould hcar him. Jusl
rhcn. hc hcard rhc blarina ofsncns in rhc dirancc Ro.rld stoppcd rryinA
b lorcc his rvar out. He kn.r lhal help fas on thc ra]. B) lhe trmc the
anbulancc and cnil dcfcnce arned. Ronald Nas fceliog qucasy and dizzr.
Thcrc rrs.lso a snarp pain ar llc back of[G ncck Hc tncr inat somcrning
When Ronald $asexficaled lorn hBcar. he shred in shocli a! fie rtctnge
eoudhft Thc boolof hiscarNas snaslcd.Thcrindossandlhc trindscrecnof
6c o$cr ce Ncrc snashcd as rcll Onc of its doore Nas heging irofl ils hingcs
and anothcr had bcc! nune onto rh. rcad. Thc dn( of thc Nhi& car lar on rhc
ground snh a Nhne cloth oer him LaterRonaldlearntlhal$eotherdrnerhad
dicd on thc spor He sas Built-riddcn. (nornlg &at il as drc to ne3ligcncc on
his pan Ronald himscllh.d olmosl brolrcn hn ncct Both his lc8s rcrc badl!
arccluicd and hc $as connncd ro, $hcclcnln lor a tc.r Thc accidcnr ccarinl]-
hughl Rorald a le$on and he nerer drred lo drie Nhen he as leeling sleepj
l"aatosqtuqaat 1,

The Flood
Thcclondlcssd. ras gonc rtrd thc skr $as nrddcnh rcplaccd nnh drrli
src! cloMs A runrblc $as hcad h lhc dkhncc and bclor lons lorrcnrial mnr
lcll Rii'rdrupsfcll hcnil on rlt s,ound pclrnrs.sJnNr sr'do: d buuNnt!
ollroofioDs'lhcnrdnas[oNlinsandthctrccscF$rarnrsso[mdthart[c
loo*cd lilcfic scrc abotrr ro torplc!l an toomc.r
Pcdcsrd.ns aid
'oornK
crc caushr bl nrpisc No one cpccred lhc
en$crrochntrscsonrddcnlr Thoscon rc roads ticd lo ru sb indoon lo sifd
Horvccr no$ ol rhcnr crc drcnchcd b rhcn Thc r.in hslcd dnonghont lhc
h.1. ni R nn,ir rh..{xr. ,( ll.&l.d liill,ln rh. xr.r lN.l ,r.nh
kncc-dccp buL bt thc ncr drl. ir had iscn rapidl) and thc rour)gcr childrcn lrad
to bc camcd on rhc shouldcE or in lhc.msoflhc aduhs Th{ could not .1}i m
nrch arcr Ihcnschcs No onc darcd lo lcac llc housc as rhc crc .lraid ol
bcnrg scpr arr) b) rhc llo$ing .rcr or slcppirg untnonrlh nro,n unsccn
holc AnranrlDcntuicdonrnadcdindrc.rcrrndncppcdinloadnir Hcrcnl
undc^alcrimmcdialcll andalnostdroncd BicrcbsnoabditrthcratcrThcrc
as littcr cc^ h.rc as dunb,ns had bccn o.nurncd dDnng thc thundcrnonn
Thc atcr as nurk). snclh and nlth
Schook and omccs rcrc closcd th dar and thc public rnsantcd to sla
nrdooG l hosc no s.cd on locr sround scrc osc of rlin n$c shosc
hotrs.scronnilhcrlround WnLcrhads.cpcdnroficnhomcs.trdlncrcsidcnh
tned rnin 1o use lheDark lher lad 10 scoop thc raterout Those silt lca*nrs
rcols sulTcrcd ll)c nroe as (hcir honscs bccaDc Dnri.rurc $immnrs Dooh Thc
childrcn lonnd ir atrn as thc splashcd $otrt nr $c dinr Mrc. oblnious b fic
lniioNcdbrosoadrcadulKindrhcscriousn$solrlrs,luarioi Thc) oali/cdrhc
ortenrolthcdaragsonl henthclloundrhentosda'naged hasimDossible
lorthcsc pcoplc loconrnnrc In ing in theirhoNcs
-l[c nood canscd hnndrcds to bccomc nomclcss lhc gocflrmcnr pul rhcD
ii rh. school hall olr. abr doncd sohool bullding Th.rc !s noh$c ch.lor
rlcnrolnc Thclloodhadruntdlhenlct olcmiglr.(ho) los(Icnlonrcsa d
bclongnrgs Asrhc lloodircisrqccdcdorcirhcrccts. trant crqso.nbncl !r
rhcn hoilcs.
^nnmagnr!
lor rnr nchsrhfl could b. s.h agcd
rfit i_!

The Bicycle Ride
Ftuff [nccbudsllo.tdacrosficsl] Thc Nn pcckcd o lronr bchnrd
rhc r.sondhgdoniunrhcriShr! rounrolsunlighronrhcbrcc/. dr Irnloclcd
r bisrclc lusl,.rd c,rd n dos rhe nJni l hrd b.c riirng. luda rnrc for
ich J pc'lc.r Jr, .r r, l" rlh r'n,'o h m. n.s br.. I
Icclcd.ar.lull lfossrhcioad roficprr(rhcad Th.rc.srsna(crins
ol pcoplc lhcrc Somcollhcnrrcrc lccdirg thc 6slr infic pond. somc cre
plar s bnll itrd olhc6 crc lilc mc qclnrg I crclcd on lhc bicrclc pi and
bcgan m) ridc onnd tu p.rl lr as chilar.ting ro lccl ihc brcc?. igii,rr hr
arc. I im,sincd rlmr I ,s in a rr.c I as so.,trg|r up itr rr thougha thar I did
nor look hcre I as gonrr. Thcrc crc troc)clish coming toards mc. a.|osgct
nson rcl@rpalhonm lcfi aManorhcrcrcldrisbcnndmc Ibcginroprck
trp spccd.s I nnignrd dr.r I r.s abour b h ft r.cc
Br lhc {iNc I rcaliTcd $c pnscncc oflhc o$cr cjclis6 ir as alrcad!
too latc. I ras so shnled to sec thcm lhal I inrnrediatclr |ned nr1 hands oiI
lhc handlcbits and cocrcd nrr lacc ilh nr hnnds Thnl $as a hugc nBta*c
M liictclc scncd utrcontollabl bsirds ,c ri!hr Thc ccliss lricd ro.roid
nrc but rhc could not Thcn biccles brushcd agarnsr rn!rc ard I ris propcllcd
norgn rc.n losards rcpond Is.rcrmcdar Eropolnr oicc Wnhnr! anns
and lcgs fiailnrs tu ai( I l.ndcd nr dr .rcr Nlr bicrclc sptrn onl olcontol
indtopplcdncarthccdgcof rhcpond. Fonunarcl) forh.. rhcpond8shlllo
ind I as able to geronl ortlr pond nrselr Thcc as a bru[e on r Ioehead
aor I hrd lil l[c cdsc oaftc pond bclorc aallins nr
Lccpraoramiddlc-agcdoman nooncckccrDcroDr aidast[crcrc
bus lcndi.s 1o a hrdc girlrhosc aoot rs nrjucd hcn n b,6clc rin ocr hcr
Tl,eeldcrh franho8c)clngbehindncasaho sl,ghrlt ntiuredasd,cto
crclisls had Ltroclcd n o hnn causnr8 hnn lo losc his balance Hc bnd lallcn
nh nrc bicrclc otr rop ofhnn Lookine ar thc disn$cr I had crcatd I .lkcd
shccrishh otrr olrhc rrrf and hndicdh q lofiad 1o olld tur rlssranc. is
cllrsnpolo:li^ lorhnl I lad donc
n

I Natched in horor as the huee onnge flan€s engulled $e house h rvas
Lhc 9 pm .cs and lhc rcponcr al thc scc.c ras rcporlins o'r . bungalos fial
had gonc !p n, flaNcs. Somconc hadaccid.utallr isritcd a pilcoftrcNspapc6
.nd lhc nrc had sprcad Nildl_'. As I N chcd thc 6rc6snlcrs lush fonrard lo
dousc thc firc. I could not hclp bnl rccall thc nrc at lhc colIcc shop ncar mr
Ir ras dinncninc $cn and nl nofi( had rold nc to bur dinn* for $c
lomih fron lhc corcc shopdoNnshns I Nns Nniting in Iinc to collccl r pactct
of fried icc rheD ! suddcn loud cxplosion rockcd thc cnlirc plrcc. Thcrc ns
cohple$ pandemonium Eqrone begantun.ine indifcrcfl dnections Clouils
oashotc $cic crcry$hcrc. Thc sncll of.nokc inladcd ml nosdh. Child,cn
trcrc scrcaminsdnd loud tcrificd cics nllcd thc.ir I did nol knoN hcrc I ry$
headins. Soncone pushed mc lnd I stunbled fondd. bunpins ntu chai6 d
kblcs along thc sar.I lcll oncc &d somconc srcpped on mr nhgcs. I scrcancd.
tcrri6ed br Nhal rvas happcnnu around mc. Ihras onll lalcrlhal I rcdized m,y
fiDgc6 hrd bccn ar&lurcd
The snolie Nas geuing thickc.ll fillcd $cair shroudins my r6ion.ll stung
ftr cyes and nadc toe coush I ra, blindb fonrad urtil I felt a bEath oflresh an
ard dc c@l night an eomd mc Its.sonll lllcn6atIopcncdq clcs'ltrming
around. I rv8 horirrcd to scc thar lhc cnlir. corcc shop ras cbgullcd in namcs
Iras oneol$eluclil fe.TheE eresrll nanr people kapped inside Anan's
clolhcs rvcrc on firc and hc Nas sccn ollingarouM dcspcratlr on lhc grass lopur
onl thc 6rmcs Mt linbs Ncnr numb as I sood lhcE raicning thc senc unfold
bclorc nc Tncrc rcrc inj rcd pcoplc lr ins c c,1 rturc Fncfighlc6 nad b put
oul the llre Nh,le olhes calmed the rina. A croryd of orlooliers had sa$ered
and sosc toshcd lo scarch for rhctr lorid oncs rvho had gone to thc co,Icc shop.
M! nothcrhod come doNn a.d Nas lmndc Shc N?s rclicrcd to scc lhal I ris
unlarmed cxccpt lor mv lraclurcd 6n3cB
Turniog back lo the nes. I Nas relieed to lEar thal $e bungalov ras
acnnt al lhal timc. Tnc occtrpo s$crcon a holidflr'. At lcasl. Do hG crc lost
o

An Acc,ident on the Escatator
Mrs Bcnson slonccd .l lhc sisn nct to hcms drc slcppcd onto $c cscaloror
rith bcr LnEc-ycaFold son. Micbacl. Shc had scen lhc sisn
'n.n!
$nes Il
dsscribed Ep,olcr sa) ro srardon . escal.ror antl LIrc [eca i t ions 1o r.te SIE
smilcd b hcBcll thinl{ins lhal such incidcnts rrould ncrcrnnppcn to hcr or hcr
son. Shc !'ad l!$ reachcd rhc bouon ol$e cscrlaor $hcn shc hcard a picrcing
soeah for help. Loo(ing b!cI,. she qs hooil]ed lo see thal h( soni len shoe
rscaughtinlhc sap al lhc sidc oflhc cscal.ror
Fcar coumcd thron8h Mrs Bcnson !s shc srr fic frcnl olMichaclt rvhilc
sho. $m o crinson rcd. One olMi.hrcl s to.s nust bc cauShl in fic srep
''Help! she yellcd as sllc benr doNn to try ro pt her soni aoor oul olhis
shoc By lhcn. Michacl-s fa.c Nas strealicd lrith tec and in benrecn $bs. hc
bcsscd hs nolhcr not to touch his fool A quictrhintins pas*rby hit thc rcd
bu onar$cbotron ofhccsc.labr Thccscalatorcrnc Loasuddcn sop Michacl
$cftcd lc$ aiaid bul nc $as sill cDing oul in plir
A sccurilv luard canc ruonins trp lo thcm. Trying b caln both
Mrs Bcnso' rnd Mich,cl. hc told rhcm rhat zn ambnlrncc Ms on irs r,r Hc
discouraeed MB Benson fron luscinsal Mrchacl-s loot as shc mishtagsn.te
lhc condnion ofhis Iool Lcaning againsl his nolhdaod grabbing her sknl
in lrighr. Michacl shimpcicd sofib BI ttu timc nclp riiircd- a crod had
galhcrcd.roundfiem Som.onc g.rcMichaclasccttodklrac.himlromthc
pai .tuloolia$hilebelolelherepairmenerrble!odislodgeMichael sfool
from thc sap as part of thc cscalalor had ro bc hkcn ap,rt. Aldoush his foot
sas nnalt frcc. Michacl conld nohvalk. Thc p.rancdics bandagcd his foot
quic(ly. Hc Nns placcd on a slictchfia.d iushed lo lhc hospnal inmcdiahly.
As the mnd slo$ dnpersed. ee.rone ras clearly shaken by rhal
Imppcncd There rcrc rvhispcr of no crclcss lhc mods r0s. Oorcm rcmindcd
lhcn o . childrcn to bc cxr6 carcful on rnc cscolaio. Anollrcr fanil! rv0s scn
hcading lourds tho liat inslcad oatc c$alabr E.Oonc hopcd lhat Michacl
R

A Diver's Experience
M.nha pul on hcr diri.B snil and lincd $c hcar oxr8cn tank omo hcr
back Wilh IEr sos8los in IEd. shc sood al tlE dN( r.ilins for lhc ri8hlnomcnt
bdnr ntro rcsdcr SlE usurl disd nidr hcl friudsbur no onc sas.ble lo
.ccomDoN hcr lhrt d.r'. Bcinf; cTcricnccd dnci shc Nos conndcnl about
dn ing on hcr orvh od 6o!gh no$ing ol an) degcr th shc mighr comc !cro$
The boal bobbed gennr on rhe clerr bluc rater. Shring doNh. Manha
cotrld sc€ thc top oflbe cornl. S[c pul on lcr soslcs and dircd into thc ralcr
rvilhoul !N ncsihlio.. Shc stoppcd Nhcn shc soN lhc idc !ricl] olcoml
hicn clne in an asbnishinBl rast om! of cololis Thc coral look.d lite
clusles olcolourful stones Suddcnl)- so,ne hugc ied. blue rnd gre.n coral
caus[l Manla's .rlcnlion Shc Ncnrnenrcrand rusaboul lo lalic a piclurc of
ithcnsomclhnrsdriiinsncau crughlhcrcrc. ItNasastinsrar'l Marlhai
hoan skippcd a bcd Snc lad ncrcr bccn rhis closc ro a sringrar Shc morcd
closcr to ttc coral slo$lt a! shc did nolrvahi to smnlc rhc sringhr Shejlsr
had lo talc a picturc ofthc bcaurifrl coral.
Ma ha 8 abonr to raisd hd caocr, hcn rhc sring.ar nocd toNrrds
hcr so quickl' that she as unablc to dodgc in limc. Its barb rvcnt up and
pierced lcrrigl rhigh.ln a 0ash. il $as sone. Thero N.s a suddcn nuhbncss
i. hcr rhigh bcforc thc blood oozcd out Ma na bcgon ro fccl rnc prin h
us ccrucialine Snc droppcd her camcr. and hold on {o hcr lhigh nith both
hands. Thc sxer arou.d he. lhish $as tumins ,nto a sea of red as she began
to losc blood Wnh a nDal bursr oIcDcer. shc pusbcd hcrsclluprrds and
rosc lo thc snrlacc Sbc as cxhauncd b_r'thc linc snc rcac[cd lhc top lnat
shc could not musl( rbc sficngth to pull hcBclaonlo thc boar. Clinging onro
rts side. she bore lhe pain as it sprked and deoeased orer lhe next hallhour.
boi.g shc could nor remain in thn posilion tor lotrs. Martha puu€d [eBcr
toscthcrand nsi.s hc!orhcr lcc. shc mana{cd lo hcac hcr*llonlolnc borl
Fortunrrcl!. Mr(ha nas.blc rc calllorhclp Whcn Oc coastglards arn cd.
ther lound lEi propped against the sde ollhe dect. brealhing had to oercone
Ur paib trl had sl&rcd again Sh. n as inncdiarcl) rushcd lo lhc ncacst hospiul.
Thc doclor g!c Manha a lcr injcclions dd painlillcs. Shc ras tcpt undcr
obs$ ltion lor anothcr trr o dars bclorc shc rHs rvcll cnoush to go honc.
6 ftd.r.,6 rr ar*,*r.

The Turhulent P|ane Ride
S n laslcncd hk scal bcll and turncd to his mothcr ason
''Wc U be sals. ishl?' hc askcd for $c nih tine. Shc smilcd and noddcd.
SIrc,umcd lis I.n i..ssurirgl] d gr c ]nr a [u3. Tlc] rr€rc dt a pltur rltir
as bound forAuslr.lia. h '!s lhc nrst limc Som had bccn on a planc and hc Nrs
scar.d stirofci$$cncourcnig a h'jek or a cnsi.
ll rrs a snoolh (ide from the nonent rhe plane loo( ofl. Beaoie long-
San $as ablc to talcorhis scat beh and nake his $ar rolhc toilct Horrcycr.
o! his Nar brck from rnc loilcl. hc lound himsclf $ra) ins iolcnrlr ro onc
sidc Srm ghbbedfi. se,l ncxr lonin losready bimsclt Hc lvas scrrcd oll of
hi. Nih. Achill ran do. nis spine rs be ifiagined thc plane ciashing i.to lhc
scJ. He hunrcd ro I'is scdr dodsnrspcoplehosc'eJhorFin!torctu,nro
lhcirs. Allhoush his mothcr snilcd at him. hc could scc thal undcr lhc f.c.dc.
shc as soricd B)_ no. rhc phnc as 3s.)ing so nard thrl fio lugga8c
colld bc bcrrd moing abour in fic olcrhcld coopanmc,ts
Thc pilofs dccp roice Nas hcard orcr lhe public addrcs s)-stcto tcUing
crcrt onc b fzsrcn lhcn scar bclts ,s thc pl,nc srs 3l in8 through ! thundccrom
Withlrcnblinghands. Sam lastencd hs. SteNardcssesand sleadsner.rvalling
do*olhcanbs.icassunngthepassengcrsandclrckiogfiarctRone hadfasleocd
lncn sc.l bclls $cnrc Sdn lcmr bact in lln scat and clo$d his clcs Hc lookc.l
mlm bul hc Na Sripping fic dn rcsk so hard LhrLhishucklcs had runcd rvnil.
Tie ride hecane butopieras the tuinutesent by.Then the plane lihed up$ards
ed spcd tonr.d. Sam fclt as lhousn a poscrful forcc yas pmhin8 l n back
ag.inn his $al Ho cr( . hilc latcr. lnc turbnlcncc (as gorr. Thc pLnc sas
lecllcd agao aodnasctunine likc nhad bclor. Sd loolcd out rhc rrindon. Hc
nolrced te alnoslclear blue sli] and the clouds belon hiff He reali*d ftal the
plarc os [_ ins abo c thc clonds
Sining bock conlcnlcdlr'. hc sarc a sigh of rclict Ascnsc or$cnri! orcrcomc
hin Hc icali,cd thar thc cofrpclenl pilor had $cskill ton.Jgak $c planc aion
lhe bad reather Alfi ough Sao lept his serl be[ o. for lhe rest orthe liip- he fell
has riighrcncd oan bcrorc.
7

Falling into the Pond
,asnine En all the Nar to lhe po.d in lhe part rvith icr rounser brother.
Jack. Irailins bcbind bcr Thc! could nol ran b accd $e nsi .nd .l rhc sa'nc
ti'nc. sail lhcn ncN rcDolc-ooDlrollcd boat Tlrc) c'c glad rhar tlE placc as
dcscrtcd.s thc nsnal croNd of boisrcrous childrcn ronld har prcrcnrd thcrn
tom c.jo!ins $c ancmoon
Squauingartbe edge orthe pond. ,asbine b@te lhc bead inlo snallpieces
and $iclv lbcn inro rhc $arci Thc 6sh lh, $cie hiddcn bcncarh thc slighrlv
murkr N.lcr $.m lo lhc stra.cc immcdirtc and sobblcd don thc brcad A
slighr scnmc crcn brcte out rnons tlrD rhcn henine rccidcnl0llr lhre{ in a
sliehlr ldger piecc or brcad while rasoinc as lccding the 6sh. hck squlled
nct to hcr 6ddling 1ri$ $c rctoolc-conuollcd boar. whcn ir $as inallr (ad.
hc rcachcd o€r.nd put it inlo lhc pond. Thcn hc prcsscd a button on lhc rcmolc
contol.Therc sas a $[nrinssound betore tlE boat sknedrov ss$in! ahead.
Thc mochcfl rnd sou.d friehrcncd $c 6sh a.d rhcr dncd bacl !ndc^arc.
HoNcc. thc hil ofn 6sh $ripcd hard agarnst lhc boat.
Jrsminc dd Jacttcllcdoutrs rhcvNarchcdhclplcssh hcnthcboar nippcd
onrlssidc.Withthcboalinlhalposilion.itasimpossrbletonocit Ilrasaho
oul of rcach. lasnirc scarchcd thc gras! patch around hsr for a lotrs nit lo drag
dr boar h .nd bcforc long. snc lound n Hold g on lo larniDc hahd igntl!.
Jac( tricd lo srctch onl.s ftr .s hc could ro reach aor Lhc boal
"Conrc onlLel'sstEtch a lrtle furlher! rack,relled Betore rasnine could
rcplr.lhcr bolh losl theirfootint and fcll into drc pond Nnh a splash. Spluucnns.
JasDinc found hcsclf srnck as h( foot N cau8lr in somc $aNccd Snc callcd
lor hclp bur Jact. rho rN $ading b lhc ccnuc oI fic pond lo Bcl tu boat.
rgnoEd her Reachrg lhe boal. he heu n up in triunph Nnhoul realizins ftat
his sislo as in dislrcss. To Jasoinc s constcndioo. hc ladcd oul oflhc pond
rvnnour goi.s lo hs rcscuc. his c]cs noq lcrrins nn prccious bMt
Ancrrnucn lr8sinB. Jisninc 6nall! manascd ro rrcc hcsclt Sluinsaqrily
ar her broth.i. she scolded hin lor oot helping her oul ol$e pond and insisled
on soinsho'nc Jack. Nhoactuall! ranlcd to t1 lhc boaloncc morc. rcaliz.d bis
mishlc burhad to aollo{ Jasminc honc rcluctantlt.
e

hr Accident at a Train Station
Mr Tallmon !ncd aor thc lin at lhc lrair st ion Bcins o ftoil and cldcrly
no. he hrd dccided 1o aoid laking thc a.sl-noingescalato4. Thc lirt 6oli hin
ro rlr. sccond oooi. licre dr pLfo"ns rq. Slturdingjus( D.)ond dE )cllon
linc- Mr Tallnan N!i$d paricntlr for Uc lr in lo atrirc. A acr minucs larc( tnc
displat unit sho$ cd $ar a rain $o!ld bc aftiing in, minltc. Hc lool sctlial
stcps fonurd. Ltulc did hc linory thar lhosc stcps ould bc thc mosr falal orcs hc
Hc colld scc dc train coning rorards $c sration from aaa. Hc srcadicd
himsellas bc preplrcd ro boad dc trin Suddcnh. hc aela shlrp sho. aion
bchind him Hc stumblcd lonvard and losl hn bahncc. Anolhcr push scnl hin
sursing foNad Withoul anrthing to hold on to. he fcll lal on his face and rolled
fofl"rd Aladt'ncxtol n rushcd ro hisaid. MrTallnd's riehl lcg ras d&Cling
from ftc plataorn rhcrc $c tain ould bc p,ssihg an second
The ladr tied b pull Mr Tallman out of lhe ay of the o.conring tErn bul
shc did trol harc thc ste gfi Thc fall had shrtlcd MrTiunatr so duch thal lE
lay lhcrc morionlcss. On'ing lim i roush shakc. fic ladr,'cllcd lnal a lmin Nls
apprdchins. Mr Tallhan stared al her blanklj al lint When hc finallr canc lo
Iisscnses, thc trai. Ms aasl0pproacnirs. Thc ladr lricd.g.in topuu nim oulot
lhc srt bur could not To rloid gcuing hcaclt injurcd in rhc proccss ofhclping
sorconc. shc hadnochoicc but tojunp bac so thal shc ould nolbc hnb thc
kain MrTaunan as nol as lonunate. Een though fie lrain nas slosing dorm-
lhc lorcc ofthc train callshl his lcs. dn$ins lim oII lhc platlorn.nd onlo dE
Mr Tallhan did nol susrrc lhc fall. Afici spcaLing to rhc lady ho had
rried lo help hin. lhe police discoered lhat r leN kenage bors had been
ruMin8.lons tbc phtrorm ar llal tine Tro ollhcm had pnshcd MrTallmm
asidc as hc N.s in lncn Na!. Whcn ncNs ofMrTallnant dcrlh '.s publishcd
in rhc papcis- lh. bols inrolcd rqc rackcd br gui,t. Thct canc foN d
nhorthcsitation to takc rcsponsibilil,y for$cnporl ir cansins MrTallman s
dcafi. As rlr boys reic jurcnilcs. thc! crc pllccd i. dclcnlion ror sir
0

.n
llrlro i{?&t
The New Driver
Thc bns icrtcd.s Mr RncBcnmc ro rtr abnrpr nop al drc lramc lis[ts Hc
could hc.r rc p.sscnBcm bchnd hnn comphnrins.bou hk d nrs skill btrr hc
rs.o,cd rlrcnr He !u rlo,rcd hinscll trnh d'c LhutrlhL rlrr hc ,A ! nc drne,
.nd its.sonl lhcsccondtnnchcnasotrficrcrd Hcrrassrillun$rcolho lo
coiml rh. bus so rh n ould oc rs snloo$l) is hc or th. risscngcrs onld
anl lr lo Whcn rhc lighrs turncd grce.. Ii{r Rnc( strped on dc acceldrror.
causing lhc bus ro sursc toN ird
Mr Rncrs $cncd sharph nrlo a bns lanc and cnnrc ro nn abnrpl $op al a
h .{^r A h.rrr.rLJh Jrcni .'."'1n.r'of r[...rr..'".' rr'.u
iLthc busslo, had ro onlhcad lo gcronrhc bus As rhq bordcd. rl'$ Slii.dal
him angih Onc oflhcm cen islicd him iinc n.d a drnnrg liccncc Mr Rnen
turcd rcd rilh cnbarissncnr burlc mc.clr smilcd apologclicnlh al lhcnr Thc
btrscominucd tonoc.icrlil ,long tu lrnighr road mucn ro thc ifinaionolthc
passcngc( Jusr rlrcn. rl[ bnsscrccclrcd 1oahah Md sliddcd to $c lcll
Thc pissctrgc6 Lozc. Atr accidcnt had happcncd Thc hcird a cr lorhclp
and rhcrc srs r connnorion on rlrc rord i'r front ofrhc bns A fc of rhcm goi
up lroN lhcr scats and banscd on thc doo6. dcnrandins lo bc lct oul Houcr.
Mr Rnc6 is rn a dazc Ecnlualh. onc pisscngcr clirbcd np to hcrc
MrRncns.rand rcachcdoo tolrcsabntronroopcn11[doors wn.rcqonc
sa sunncd thcm Al.d $rs tncclimotr ftcroad. sobbnrrand cnnrr aornclp
She kepl sai.g M) babt ! oer and oer aga,n Pan ollhc pram ns lodged
undcr rnc iom hcel oalhc bus A ac pcoplc rudrcd to hclp lrcr btrl rhc corld
nor nroc rl[ pmm Somconc shotrtd.r Nlr Rncrslo rccrsc bur hc could onlr
shr. dc-.Icd ar rhc s.cnc bclor. hifr
The a'nbuhnce and crrl dere..e rr^dd rllir len rnules Fonunatei.
rct erc .tilc Lo dislodsc llE pran lrcm undcr lhc hccl ofllE bus Tlrc bab
n.s utrconscious it fid bur rs hc is bcrng c.ricd back lo lhc rmbnlancc acn
could bchcard Erc'ronc hc.cd r s,sh olrclicl Mr Rtrc( hr(lro bc lilcd aronl
hisscalb rhc.n il dclencer.d carcd 1o rhc $dc olrlt. road lrc( lrc srlll stred

An Accident Outside the School
Suc Nos aiting al lhc bus stop nicr school It ros crovdcd {ilh siudcnls
ho crc onlhcns.t honc. Sue shuddcrcd as she suddc.L lhoudlol&o nhr
dd slr l[d N.t lEd dr ni8ln b.loie Alodrg gill lnd t'ccn ruo ou b] ,ctu ord
lhcd .rhrddrncnotrilhontlcndi.s.hand Tncsnl'sparcnlsrvcrcdcraslotcd
lo lcarn ol hcr dcr$. Suc $ o.dcicd h{ shc $ould do ifshc ni.s$d ruch an
accideol. rusl lhen. shc heard a lan8 folbed br a scr€rn.
St rdins o. tiplocs. Sue tried to pcs oq thc shonldcs of lhe srudents
around hcr Thc sound crnc fron lhc car pnrl ncxt b thc bus slop It us usn.ll!
pactcd id cds aarci school Pucntsouldpal d.rc roNair aor$cnchildrcn
Sue Nas nlhd Ni$ a sudden $.sc ordread !s she rccllled$c nlm taGhc had
dtclrd fic.ight bcforc. Pushing lcrNay lo thc tonl oflhe crod. she sloppcd
abrupl Nhcn shc noriccd a sludcnt lyins on lhc srcund Acarhad 6cBcdoul
ofa pr ing spacc ritnout notici.g hc. Bt fic ime rhc drn'er sa lhc gnl. n
as r@ larc. Onc or irs rcar $hccb had rollcd ocr fic gnli aool. Thca $as
blood foining arcund hcr injured fool A shall crolvd had salhc,.d amund hcr
Sonconc kicd ro hclp hd ro lrr rcct bnt shc n6 in roo nnch p!i. ro morc
The anbulancc and police rvcrc called. Thc paramcdics arri3d fiBt Thcl
checked the gnlt fool and sloppcd rhc blccding. Thcn thq liftcd $e girl $Io Nas
still Nincirg in pain ohlo a slrcicncr md pnshcd ncr inro $c bact of$c mbulancc
A3 ihc 8irl $s hhtod a!) lo hospital. tlE policc rnn cd md bcgrn qucslioning
lhe dritr rvho n6 responsible for $e rccident. Ther aho inten ieNed setral
passcBbr As thc car park *as crorded tbcn. mo.y pcoplc had sibcsscd dE
A bus approachcd rhc bus stop and Suc bodded it Thc accidcnt had iaughl
heraaluablelesson She had alr a.vs tr alked through the car parli lo let to fte bus
stop crcry dat md shc Nas rc€r bollrcrcd obotrt lhc c,n lhcrc. Shc dccided lo bc
rnorc alcnNhcn shc cro$cd tnc car porl as mm! cac Ncrc moins in md oul of
tc pdring spaccs. Suc 6opcd thal $c g o!ld bc all righl Sho sas tslad thal
Ue.ccidentas nol as hortllc or uagic as the one she had n athed oo lhe 6lnr.

An Accident at Sea
Tcrll ptrslNd lhc saiLins bo otrr ro sca and l[cn climbcd iro il h .s 0
b iD d. d fic tr.Lcr lootcd .s snoolh as slNs crccpr aor thc occ.sion.l
ripplu: AxncdilhrLook..nshn,s,odind.sn[llcolhpsiblcnool.Ts,r Js
prcD.rcd forarclainsdar $hcn c.^tnrs nas rc.dr. hc ld thc bod driar our ro
sca Alrcrpuninsrhcblil on hk nshins rod. hc sclrlcddono. rhc nool r h hs
book Il as qucr cccpr lor thc lounds orlhe arcs lapp'ng scnd) asrnrr lhc
slErc TIc rEonndrss crc so lranquil dmr Tcm bcgan noddnrs ola
Snddcnlr Tcr4 rhonshr hc hcad lhc lanrl sonnd ola spccdboat nr rhc
dhhncc Orcning hh ccs a litlc. Tci4 s,tuinrcd itrro $c drsrancc Horccr.
hc did not scc ,ntlhi,rg e.crl rhc sutr s brighl r.t s glisrcnirg oll thc n cr
Coc(rn3 hG ncad 1o rhe sidc. hc lislctrcd inrcmh igiin lor rhc sonnd ola
nrolor bnr thcrc ras nothrng Thrnknrg rhat hc had nishcard. Tc6 shnr hN
c)cs and $cnr bacl to slc.p
Bclorc long. h.lr.rd rc sound oldr 'noror
rgrin Snring upiighl. Tcrq
pccrcdiNo$cditincc HcrondcrcdilhEcrcsrcrcplaringlncksonhim Wis
rhcrc a shrdo in th. dsran.c ) Blinknrs I;! ccs rnd rubb E rhcn,. hc loolcd
asain Thc shido as unnrstnkitrlc. Thc.c ras somcthrng loonrng ahcad nrd
rt as appro.ching nprdlr Tcr.iunped up ind nNhcd to thc sails Tugging as
hard .s hc corld.r lhc ropc. [c tricd ro srccr rlt s.ilns boar..] aror rc p.d
oalhc spccdboar lloccr n$.s iNposiblc Crouchnrg nr a corncr Tcr^ sarcd
hotrificd as lhe spe.dboar canre ncarcr a.d nears He coe.cd hi lacc nlr h6
hands.nd sqrcczcdniscrcs dNr l'lc [nc lhal rc spccdboat as goinarocraslr
Tcr+ Nokc ut in i hosn,trl Thc pc4on on rhcspccdbo had call.d forh.l,
a.dTem hxdbcenatrl,nedlohosprrai Durinsll,arrunc. hehrdb€enresuscnilcd
. ac$ lnncs is nc slippcd in nnd otrl olconsciotrsrcs Tc4 as rcliccd b bc
.hc Thc Dcrson ho nrs nr thc spccdbo.l.polosizcd ro't6 lor rhc.ccidcnr
Hc ollocd 1o Dar ioi all rhc hosDital .pcnscs

A Deadly Virus
"Ah . choo! rent Clendafor$e lourth lime. Herheadnasspionms. She
nad o hish lcermd nd bodr s.sachins.ll oc. Durin3 rhc holidals. sbc bad
spcnt a pciod oftinN al hcr.unas fan o!6cas.lrclpirs hcrout rithdrcalnnals
rhcrc On thc da!-' shc lcfi to rctum homc. shc hd fonnd our rbnt thrcc cnickcns
nrd dicd from a ia! flu. JusL lhcn. tnc bnB-a$ ailcd c.ll aron rhc doclor she bad
consulred aboul her health condirioncame though. He, pulse raced Nnha.ie!
hcn shc hcard Oatshc had bccn lcsrcd ,ositir3 aor arian nu
Nol lons nftcr.lhc ambulnncc anncd. Thc panmcdics ho crc drcsscd
i" protecfi c clolhing nade Glcnd. fcel lilic shc ws d !lic. undcr scrulinr Shc
Glt ,rv(Ndd ond cnbaddsd ,s sne nadc lDr a) into lne mbuldcc whcn
tct rcachcd $c hospilal. Gl.ndaNas rarci dnccdt lo a rard on a fl@r $ar bad
bccn clcnrcd ofothcr p.licnG.'llrc hospilal Nas pul on hish alcn as Glcnda $!s
$e nrst p€son lo conlmcl a ian [u itr SinsapoE. Hospilal peGonnel nnnedinkly
spolc lo Glonda lo 6nd out hom shc had.ohc inro coblacr Nnh Thct hld lo
lalic prccauions in casc thc nus had nutetcd and n could sprcad froh pc6on ro
pcrso. Glcndr's plrc.rs scrc phccd in rooms ncr hcB Thct $crc only alloNcd
lo speak to one another on the phone bul $ere pohibned lrcn nectins lacc lo
Glcnda sas rciiincd as slE lal on tlc bcd fccli.g catcr and Ncakcr as
$c dats cnl by Shc nas pnt on a drip rhal N akcned to hcr rhl Thc onlr,,
people she cahe nrto conlacl nh eE $e nunes and docro^ Nho ahrals ore
prolccx c clothing HoN6.L shc ricd to kccp her spnih up as shc tricd lo 6ght
drc irus Ancr nro ccks. Glcnda bcgo n to fccl sl ighr ly bcncr Thc drip rc'na incd
burhcrappclitc improcdand shcsas,blclositupbJ hcBclt Shccould$cn
asli fo. her faourne frasazines lo read. Hercondnion,hproed darlr dd she Nas
finallr ablc lo Nall abour in lhc roon. Haing passcd rhc incubation pcriod. hcr
porcnrscrcauo$cd to lcayc rhc hospn far as it r.s ccn.in that rhcr hfld nor
ciu8hl rhc illncss &om Clcnd.
Clenda tool her lirst brealh ol lresh an a monlh rfter she ras ad&illed lo
hospilal Thc nuBcs.nd doctors shook hcr h ds. fiis dnc idrour t[c protccln c
gcai. Tho cp.iichcc 6adnadcGlcnda rcali,! ho aragilc liac Nas Thc gnl nho
usually p.nied until $e snall hours of the nomi.g and lored to eat fiied lood
dccid.d torile b€krc,rcoahcrhc.llh fr.m rhen on

fhe Drunk Bus Driver
Mr Pclcreon Nas Nolchins lhc nclrs al homc rhcn hc hcard.bout a
drun( car drivsr crashios irlo a pcdcslrian. causins hcr lo losc ncr IiIc. Tnc
nc*s broughr Dtut rcxilr irg oumori€s of har lad hppcned ro hi,n ldf
a rcrr o8o Thc incidcnt rMs ll nid in his nind as lhoush it h,d jnst
happcncd rhc drr. bcaoro.
Mr Pele@n had.iust been pronolcd br $e transpo( conpan) lhll he rorhed
Ior Hc Nas in a jorial nood so lrc celcbEred nh hn fricnds at . nedb] cofec
shop Hcsolcadcd.rar.dinkingonccmofbccr lcrlnothcrNhilcloaslinglo
his frhnds onc b) onc By Lhc dm. hc N.s donc. his aacc lras lrshcd and h. colld
hardly ra1k srright Hc r as supposcd lo Co ro rrort ,ter Ual Instcld of uling
Ic. c. [c dccided to go ahead and drirc lhc bus. His collcagucs cE againsl hin
gonrs(oNorkbulhcjustbrushcdthc asidcandslasscrcdor.sayinsthalhcrvas
nor dronk Hc n.s insuchl gh spirik tnd nc did hor fiiht of Lnc.onsqu.nccs
Mr Pctc6on rubbcd hn c).s continuously as hc drovc along $c road. Thc
hus sNcn cd fron sidc ro sidc d gcrousll Somc olrhc p,sscnAcr $lcdhnn if
hc $asall nghl Although hervas fcelins qucasy andErd{. hc insistcd thathcras
6.e. Nolicinghn n*tud checlis dd thc slur in hn roicc $hen hc spolie. onc of
dr passcngcG rho s as sining righl bchind Mr Pctc^o, dccidcd to call tnc policc
Lo repon $c nattc. Hc suspcctcd lhal Mr Pclc6on as drut Tnc pascnScr
n.s m rhe nrddle oI the conreftalion rnh a police omcer hen he Nas thron
lorNord ond his mobilc pbo.c Ic oul olhis hand. Scrcral passc.acB rcrc also
dro . lonrdd fron lncn scats Tbc bus cmc to an abrnpl slop Mr Pcrcrson Nas
found slunp.d at rhc rrhccl H6 bodr raspicssing rhc hom- craringa dcar.ning
sound. He had lost consciousne$ al $e rheel.
Dnc lo l[c accidcnr Mr Pctcr$n had lo a]npul.& his lcn &n. He had
monntcd i kcrb d injucd *rcnl pcdcslrians .r tnc bus nop as cu as lhc
passcngcB on tc bus. Hc nrs disnissed aron his conpant and ccn had to aacc
nunerous lasuns lion his passengers. Hs lile changed o?mighr all becau$ of

An Accident in the Car Park
Bcn jumpcd otrl oflhc cor ard slammcd lhc doo. Hc cotrld nor Nail to
so lor his nEt arl lc$on Ssinsins his an ba8 in hn land. Bcn pccrcd ocr
rle rop ol drc cai tud s. rl[r tlD 1o&l as clcar. lr loot€d salc cnough.
Horcrcr bc IncN tbnl hn nolhcr rvould ncrcr lct him Nalk lo thc clas on
hi.oh Bc.dingdo$n and lookingtiough $c glrss$indo$. hc s!{ Oathis
noder Nas still i.lhe diiei s se!I. nddling Nilh her ma(e-up ir her handbag.
Fcclitrs inparient. Ben shouted lhat [c !s gotus nrst and Nallicd or.
Bcforc Bcni molhcrcould slophim. hc had $rlkcdnlonsthcroNsofpa*cd
crs rorards thc lift Scmnbling lo kccphcrfiinga in hcr bag. shc gorouloftn.
c.r huiiiedlr .nd tushed losdds hi6 H. as alrerdj at de cnd oath. ro of
parkcd ca6 'hcn a lhudcrcus sound ofa ca hom ech@d lttrousno( 6e entn.
nruhi-storcv car pa Bcn.junpcd and spun rround. Hc l.lchcd in horcr as hc
s,$ a car fiar rm lcr i.g ns p.rking spa.e hn his nolhc. Sn. Ms ross.d inb
tc air bcfor. landine on tc bonnct ol Uc cd Thcn shc rlmbhd roh&d ud
la) molionlcssin lronloflhcca.BcnN6akcad nmninglorvadshcrrvhcnthc
dn cr cncrAcd fron thc cd
A lcclingofdEad courscd throush Bcn sbodr $hcnhc satr blood loming
a pool belon hn molhcas head The drirr Nas otr his knecs. shakins hcr i. his
ancnpt to ousc hc. Horcrcr shc rcmanrcd ucsponsn'c A p.$obt callcd for
an ambul.ncc Bcn slmd a acr mclrcs lron his nothcr his crcs idcncd in lcar
as hestaredather She did nor e€n l6k like she Nas brealhing.
-Whatnac Idoncl' hemutlcEd.'lllhadnorbccnsonnpoticn!sncNould
nor hayc run aftcr mc Nothing Nould harc happcncd " Hc simd rncrc. cluslking
hinsclf unil lhc paohcdics arncd. TNo oa thcn benr oo his mo$6 and
eanined heras ftoroughl) as rher could belore adninistering liistaid Then she
as lilcd onlo a slrclcls ad into rbe railins ambul cc.
Bcn ?s frllcd Nith r.srcl on hh Nar lo ihc hospitrl rilh his molhc.
Ho$ccr thcrc Nas no$ing hc could do. Hc colld ohl) p6r thal his no$cr

A Bicycte Accident
Bmndon sai on lhc noo. licling his lcss rtrd slanpirs his lccl umil hk
c.sp.r.rcdNoftcrfi..llr allocdhinrlosoLodcnarlcrnhhc.
'You runsnnillh1lcInrc.1,:rDuo tr ders{.nd' :lN s.id lin,h
Hc noddcd solcmnlr Hc Nas plcascd nh himscltAsrnr sprcad acros hislaccns
soonashis ilotrt'm.daa Unlilc bcfoic. BDndon as rnins cp.ciMrl
arlhe d@rbr thcl, e his toothcr!srcadr o lcae
Bmndon ras on his bcsl bchaionr Al fic gronnd loor of den blocl or
fla6.Ic drd norjunp abourplcrdnrg io bc pulonlorlc child scal nnmcdrarch likc
bclor. InsrcrJ. hc .itd until Iris norhcr .s rcrd
'You rc .(l.inl) , good bor loda.' shc bcah.d as shc litcd hnh inlo rhc
child scil ind stmppcd hnn in Beforc lons. thc ncrc olT As lhcr rcc crclns
acoss n idc ro al n /.bra crossrns. n brighr srccn rlcn on rhc ground catrshr
BraMoni Nc SomcoN hd droppcd. ro gun otr rhc ro.d x N onc ol
Brandonif.on rc ror s!
Br.ndor stnrsglcd to ftcc hnnscllftonr lhc sanps Hc lcanl orcr ns lar as
hc could rotq ro pick up thc ror gun Jnd rhc.. h'smorhrscncd ro rl,c lcn ro
aoid anorhcr oncomnrs cclist Thc shght bul abnrpt morcnrcnt ascnongh to
. sc Brrtrdon ro loic hr LJIJ c! rnd hc lclloulolrhc rcJr
_Hclp.
Mnnnnr " arandon rcllcd. hk rirh lmd clingnrs onb rlt sidc ol
t[c sc.r llis trrolrr lrncd.rortrd. rcad! to scold him lloccr tricn sic s0$
him dnnsl'ng b thc s e. she scrcamcd ,n lrishl and nmcdialel) stopped rhe
biccle Jtrmpnrsof rc hicrclc. shc smbbcd hnn {nh bo$.mrs Inhcrha c.
sltlndlorgotcn$.rdrh.dstoppcdnrdrcmiddlcolrhcrc.d ljcrotrlr conccn
as Bondon A dncr froh rlr oppo$$ dnc.rion !s bus .h!(,ng nh ha
passenger and did nor nor(€ Bnndon and hn norh.. r $e toiddle orrhc /cbra
crcssils ulil nsas loo lalc
AcrodoacniousD.ssc6br.ndsonrcnncscsgadcrcd.llhcscctrc'lhc
di1cr lnd rhc lasscnscr olOc.ar slood h. unharmcd bnr d!?.d Thc bodiqt ol
, litLle bo aid hb orhcr la od lhe ro!d. coercd 1rlr ! h1re clorh Eetonc
could onlt sa) lD unlbnunarc rh. tuorhcirndchild .rq

An Accident at the Void Deck
The red and Nhile srgn indicated that ball sahes eE nol allored at the
smund lloor ofn block orfl,ts h sccmcd lo rec mcn.cinslt aLcc4onc sho
raurcd p.sl. HoNccr for th'cc bors. tlEy snnply isnorcd n. Onc oflhcu Nas
hussins a loolbnll closc b his chcsl. Thc] had dccidcd ro kic(lhc b.U.ronnd thc
dcscrlcd srcund loor lor il rs much cools pla ins lhcrc lhln in lhc 6cld uDdcr
_Co6. onl Lcts hac a ganc noNl thc rrllcst bor. Pa[ suggcstcd. Thc
othcr l$o noddcd in ogrccmcnl. Thcy placed lhcn bass !l onc cnd oathc sround
noor. positioning thcn lo m.ke a nakcs[in soalpost.
Thc gme srancdoutslolr al n6l Aftcr a hilc. Uey Nere lic(ing Ue ball
so aasr and hard roo.canoln($at it bounccd orthc rllh and roll.d ouridc a
couplc oalimcs Brcathins so had lh.l hc soudcd as lhough hc as $hcczi.s.
Jmes. tlE puniesloll[ebo]s. stopped the bnll expenlr Nilh one Iol He slcndied
nimscll rcadt lo enc tnc ballalick
-Wath mc l
-
lr boastd to his arictrds. Flicking hn nos. rilh his thu b l,lic
hrr$ncfmons foorball pla:cadid. hc bactcd np rd liclcd thc hall as hld
ashccould Itne past$esoalpo*hn$eallandspuntonsight Thenrtras
our ofsighl Thcrc $erc $hoops and shouts as rebo]_sranancrficball.
Tbct raccd around lnc comcr as lan as lhq conld Thc pcrrcn rno gor
lhe ball He as about to run fo$ ard hen he noticed a pushchair next to ir. A
oturn rvas squau,ns nc$ to thc pushchairaod rubbing hcr childt forehcad. Shc
tumcd around angrib md snappcd al Tom
"hd sourbrlll"snc.skcd Tncbosshrmlbac(inrcar"Loo(atshor
your ball did to nr babr! she coninued )elling Theres a huge lu ponhis
forchcad Thc bors cnt palc. A l@t of hodor crosscd thcn faccs Squr(ng on
lhc floor. J.mcscorcrcd hisfacclvi&Iishmdsed cricd Tom md P,topolosizcd
Allhough her child rvas nol serioul) hurt. lhe Noean thoughl il ras
inconsidcralcand scl6shof fic bolstopla] althc sound floorrnnouctuinslor
dl onc s safctt St!. agrc.d lo lcltcnattcrresl if$c boys conrinu.dtcirgancal
a lield instead. The boys n erc gnlelul lhal $e) Nec 8n en a second chance The.y
apolosizcd lo dE omm oncc rnorc before $u6 ins oll lo galhcr lhen bass

''I'm frccl I'm arcc!" Minam $.scxhilaratcdasshc spcdalonslhccxprcs$.1
She .s lool{ing aon.rd io lhc ncxt fc dar s.s shc as nnnlly soirs to talc a
oncrcct bicat. Belon lrr. dr ass nr lhc scr crrshcd.butrr nuisilr. Slrs lEd
jNr pnsscd rhc midpointoflhc bridsc $hcn s[c hcflrd 0 lond cmckins sound rh.t
soundcd lil,c, do,en gun.ho$bcing 6rcd aollocd b a loud odh.
Srunned. Mnia6 as aboul ro srcp on lne b6kes rrhen she noliced fiont
[crrcnrrie$ nitror tlml a c behind hcr Ms sliding bacl$ ds.artoDher.
Shockcd. Miriam stcppcd on lhc nccclcrato, and sp.d foNnrd. $rcn nr8 to aoid
dcod$clrsin aronlof hcr Shccominr.d ao lid until shcthcn she Nrssol.
Br dcinc sle sroppedalrh. side oa$eroad.$(caschaosaroundher Gcring
oul ofhcr car. Mniam Nas ho ncd to sce lhal tlrc bridse [ad spln inlo tltrcc pds.
Cars rcrc crushcd asnrnst onc anolhcr.Ioms rcrc blanng and lhc anrvas fillcd
$nn smotc aron thc cas Mcbl pipos I urcd or ftom lhc odgcs hcr. thc brcrt
had occurcd Ldgc slabs orcohcrcrc lal alongsidc rhc rchiclcs and so'nc hrd
fallcn inlo lhc sca.ll lookcd Iikc a scctu slraieht fron a 6ln.
Pcoplc on hchcGslclrcras rhc) ticd rogcrrh.nschcsourofd!.gcr Thcrc
rere scrcanN for hclp as somc tned to set out oi $en cars thar erc danglins
pEcariousl) at tlr cdgc oflhc bridle Suddcnlr. dr firsr ofa scics ofsplash.s
occumd ErcnsphshmcanlfialoncchiclchadLllcnintotfu sca ErcOoncgot
onlol{hcnvchicl* Mant Ncrc clurhingon Lo ftcn childrcn ri8tulr Pcrincd.
thepeoptehallDnhalfcrarledara) lromfieircas.Mndft lanloNadlohelp
a ladr vhorasc ,tiDsa bab and drassi.s a toddlc!rilh hcr
Tncrc as contusion crcryrncrc Tnosc Nno Ncrc causnt ir lhc middlc
olthc bridgc sat sloicall) io lhcircaa. hopi.g lhat hclp ould d^c bcaorc lhc
shclure $eakened funhe, Those enherside s$anrbled lo safetr.lear! then
bclonsings bcnind. Miri.n aound lrcxelfBaspins lor an.s sk steed al thc $cne
bcforc ncr Ilshc hld b.cn jusl ! minntc slorrcr or iishc had nor noticcd lhc car
bchind hcr sliding bachards. shc nighr harc bc.n onc oarhosc al rhc bonom ol

Disobeying Traffic Rules
,oshua nn out olhn house and all thc rav doNn fic nrc nights olsteps
lo Gc Bround loor Hc hod ovcrslepl lhat dar and nad onlv tcn minulcs to Bctlo
solool on li'ne. Thal Nas half lnc usual lnnc dEr hc lonnallr l@t. Hc had N
choicc bul lo on lo school.
AsJoshua!sapprcachins lhcsch@l. hc sa$ lbat lhc prcfccls nalioncdin
fronl ol Oe school rere abour to close Oe school gaEs. The pedesrian crossing
astcnmcrrcsan.ad.Hcrould.orharcOciftcrocrossrhcradthcic.Hor6c(
if hccrosscd dncclb in fronl of lhc school. hc rould bc.blc to rnakc itbcaorc thc
bcllrang Hc stoppcdjusl in time lo lct 0 molorcrclisr so p0st lnd thctr [c ncppcd
o.1o tne rord r.d dashcd anoss rithout looling our for mmc Fiom $c comer
of his ctc. hc saN $al th. rord $as clcar offtmc. Conidcnr rhal hc $o!ld bc
ablc to nukc il lo school on linc. hc ran at lighhing spccd Hc $as hnlaynv acrcss
lhc rod rvhen dre nrcesa.{ blains ofa hom c.uscd nin lo stop in lis tncks He
umcdarolnd Coniiednccrlr himna3arcdsroas.artacllihgatruUspccd!
Joshuaas so slumcd that h. srood oolcd to Ihc spot. Alam bclls rvcrc going or
in his hcrd- Nming him ro gcr our of rhc rut hnt his fccr did n6l bndgc,r all
Joshua fclt thc car hit him Belorc hc lincr i[. hc had landcd ilh a
lhunrp on lhe ground. fac€ don a le mcrres from rvheE hc had stood He
blinkd nis ctcs and lricd to noyc but could nor }lc could fccl a scl liqnid
ooTing onr fron lhc iop othk hc.d and Norc around his.cck Drihing inand
oul ol consciousness. he sa a blur picture ol a *od of people galhering
aronnd hin and a nurtour oforccs asliine hnn ifhc $as all ight Thc ncxl
dring nc kncs: thcrc scrc thrcc pairs ol hrtrds luming bim orcr iirnly bur
Bcnllr and hc rclt himsclllificd and placcd on somclhins sofi
loshua's .ecliless nct alnosr cosl hin his life He Nas rarded lor rhree
Nccks Hc suffcrcd fracturcs to hn ams.lcgsand ncck Joshua lcahl thatn Nas
bcncr lo harc bccn lalc for scnool Fror.lh.r dar'. hc ahars okc up tcn mnutcs
c.rlicrrlnn hisusnl rincs. rh,r kcN.uld nccrhcl.rc l' rschool

A Fall
ncnrr-onc-rc.FoldAni hrdjnstna cdsork.r$cSmnhhouscnold Il
ash.rnrslj.boulsidclrcrcounrn.lidoncu Thcrcsponsibilrrr oasupponlns
l,(' l]tr.'il] tr! I'u.tr. l!ll utr I'.r sl'JtrlJ('s .v l'(, ivL' ,'5 (' itr'pu.rJ.'. .u
hcr Shc ranrcd h* cmplo.is ro bc rlc.scd nh lcr orl anirudc so shc
r6oncd $ ahrrs do sotrcrlnnts morc rhan har rhc rcqucsrcd hcr ro do.
On hcr sccond cck ir Singapor.. ME Snilh nrsnucrcd hcr b clcan lhc
nrdo s nr lhc housc bclorc slc lcfi for $o Shc gac spccific insftcrions for
Ani ro clcM onlr {1[ iNidc ollhc indotrs M6 Sonh Mmcd hcr abour rc
datrecn oaclc,nine nr ou$id. ollh. indons cctr rlrough nrc .rc s^ ingon
thc drnd lloor AlthoughAnrnoddcd hcrhead obcdrcnth. shc asalrcad plannnu
toclcin Ihe onbidc oalhc rndos Otrcc Ms Smnh nad bn. Ani nllcd a sn.ll
pail r nh soapj rard wnh . cr ng h onc h.nd sl[ opcrcd ft rnrdo s and
slid opcn dc lrillcs Placing thc rail on thc hblc ncar rc nrdos sic giippcd
onc ollhc rindos and sleppcd onlo thc naro lcdgc oulsdc
Anrlookcddorn Sheisafi aidothciglrls Ecnalonh lhrccnorcrshrgh.
shcasnoiuscdroitat.ll. IhlLingadccplrca$.shcconcctrratcdonclcatrn,grlr
rndos.Attnr.^nistrllhadonclcsnEde. Hocc. trlen shccouldnolonscr
rcacn lnc o rcr sidc oaft nrdotr. shc pl.ccd loft lcgs otr rlE lcdsc Prcsinr
.g.nxrando sithrnopcnprl,n.Aninrtbcdnr$nrdo tilororslr hsrsa
hot da d bclorc long. An, bcgr. $car,trg prolus.ll. Hcr palna bc.ihc dlmp
rtl, pcGpmuotr and arcr Soon. she lound it difllclll lo kcep hcr balnnce. She
had nnkhcd clc.trinB nrc $nrdors.nd $as abour ro scr b0c[ nrLo ihc housc Icn
hcr natrd slid don fic rindo: Shc uicd to srrb lDId oafic grillcs lo srcadr
hc(cllbur ilas roo lllc Hcr s.rcanr cchocd rlnoughoul lhe cnxr. csrarc as hcr
bo<l} lell opdl loards the gronnd She landed o.lhe gds palch l,elo
Foflnnarclr rorAni. shc str^ncd rhc lallbur dE s[raincd nriuics ro hcr lcfi
.m .M flghr lcs 'fhcr crc brokcn and shc had b rcnr.ir nr bcd aor a mon$
Shc as srarclul ro hcr cmplor.6lor Lcctlng hcr and nrrins aor hcr ncdicrl
cxDcnscs. Shc had lcnnn.aluiblc lcson Shc finall] undcEtood rhc impon.ncc
oasrlctl slrn doing lDUs.hold .horcs
.ql .kcd.d.,"d."*.!.

hr Aaidefi abng ilrc Expre*sway
Joson hnmmcd olon8lo rhc runc hcNos listcningroon his MP3 plarcr Hc
r.s on his u! homc.ner. barbccucouting al lis triend s housc Hc ras slad
dd [. lid r&.gcd b ca(h rli. Lst trus [onN. As ir nis a s(dd4 nidn. dE
p.sscnscs on bodd lbc bus crc packcd likc sardincs Thc bus h.djnsl bn thc
cpioss(at $hcn $c b,asrihe ofa hom Nas hcaid aiofr bchind il.
laso. glahced our oflhe indoN lo see rhat lhe cofrmotio. .s Hisjarv
droppcd *bcn lrc saN a Nhitc cd spcedins toNeds lhem T[c hus drner had
also noliccd thc co in his Nins mnro. Hc lricd ro srcnc lhc bus onl of ils pndr
Ho$ccrtccdcidhcdinrorhebN. aorcineiolI iheroad Thcimp.ctcalscd
[E bus lo crasb righr inlo a Bilihg rvhorc a rar inc as. Thc bus *enl neri Uc
cdsc of lhe clif and pan of n lurchcd fonrard. T[e front half of thc bus dansled
in ,nidan aboc . lNcnlr--mc lrc Drinc.
Pmdcmoniun oruptcd on lhc bns.s peoplc scr..ncd rnd ticd ro push onc
ano$cr as idc to cscapc Thc h o'ch enrs of fic pa$cngcr. c auscd rhc b! s ro luh gc
bn hr bn losar{L lhc rJr inc. Tncrc crc shouN inqru.uns ccnonc b na' in
lhcn scak bur ma.r otrhcn Eauscd rohccd rhc instncrions Indcrd.lhc prnic-
strickcn pcople rkrc inlenr on clinrbins oul ofthe bus CaB had sbpp€d along
lhc rcad and a fcrv pa$cBb} tricd to assist. As lhc bus sns ai<ondnioncd. all tlE
indoNs crc scrlcd P.$dsb! uicd ro brc6( lnc rvi.dos bnl cach rimc rhcy
nil. Lnc bns shook md lurcficd to ads $c ra inc S@n. no ohc dared Lo go nce
lhe bus. When one olfie passenge$ nanased lo open the etoersenc! exit al the
,cd. a tcs lricd lo climb oul al drc samc tinc As lhct I dcd or solid Broud.
rclicf Nas rillcn on tncn faccs As morc pcoplc scranblcd lo salc!- rhc bus
bccam. mbalanccd. Suddo.l). thc colirc bus rcnl pllngr8 inlo thc rar inc. Th.
rcrifred screaNsofthe €nainingpeople in ncould behedd.
Jason and sercml ollrcr pasclscB rlo rvcrc rcor llrc cmeIgcncr exil rcre
lhc fc lrcta oncs s ho m.nagcd lo cscaDc As $cv lookcd doNn nr bodor or
tc 6inc from 6(c $ct stood. $crc $as a suddcn loud pop and, buisl ofnrc

A Prank Gone Wrong
Kdjumpcd up fron lhc bcnch lhc minutc hc sN Mr Caftr .ppro,chin8
Rushi.s up to hin. Kcn srippcd bisarm nrml! ad Ercolcd[im MrCdtcrsmiLd
cherlull) d nodd.'d. Kcn lEIDed liitr cioss 6c road tulll salted hid .U c
'ry to lhc Ccntrc for lhc Msunut-inponcd Nhcrc hc $orkcd As hc $atcncd
MrCan( all itn a linp into tc ccnrc. hc $as oncc norc nlled ti0 rcno6c
for tne incidenl &al had happened a year ago
Kcn had bccn plalin8 baslielb.ll rvit[ lis frietrd. Chrnbp[c. Hc ryN
dribbling llr ball on thc naooN pacmcnt to thc bns slop $hcn hc rcalizcd lhal
, nd sas blockirg his at Tnc nrn $as readihg a book He sholicd ar $e
md rogivc !) bul he onlr shumed a li(c to Ue side. Ken rrs tare He tried
to aoid thc nan bul he bunpcd inlo lhe non instcad and lost control ofr[c ball.
Chnsbplcrquicklv srabbcd thcball from hin and (as inslnchcs. sarins lotrdlv
,bom horv rctriblc hc rrs ,r @nrolling lhc b.ll Ken Ms so nrilarcd nh $c
rcma( th hc slorncd up o fic nan nc hld bumpcd inlo and t cllcd at nim ror
nol sctling o of lhc Nay in tirne. Whcn lhc bo) s $crc atoul lo crc$ the rcad.
thcir p,th rvas hldclcd b tft srDc mn lgain Wirhonr thinking much. Kcn.iu*
Wh Kcn did nol rcalizc Nas thal lhc nun Nas risually nnpancd Thc
dughr did nol occu ro hnn AltcraI. nc nrd sccb ihc m.n rcading Kcn did.ot
knorvabontbraillcmdhcftou8hlLn etoncshocouldrc.dcouldnolpossibly
be isually inpaired The ftan NhoD he had shored aside as quile elderll atrd
hc fcll in e a(sard posilion. fracluring hk lcs. Hc trcc ccorcred lrom lhc
lall Ko fcli gxill hcnaprsscrb! chasliscdhnn fo! bcing inconsidcratc AIcr
thar Kcn Nancd al dr bus slop 6cry da). hopiog ro buhp
'nto
thc nan Whcn
he inallr ddabodanonlh later he arolosized lo tlr ftln. Ken felt e?n $o6e
cnthc Dorsniledand lold hn ft hcNasnola.sq rvnn hin lomlhcno..
kn dccidcd ro rvail forrhc nd a( thc bus sop ro hclD him crcss lbc ood to $orl
As Ken turned to go to sch@I. he bunped inlo anothe, han. He losr his
balancc ,nd drcppcd hi s scboo I b@ks Ho$ e c r. hc stoppcd hin sc,l 1106 lashi n!
oll ar $c ma. Instad. hc apologi,cd to Oc nan aoraccidenrrllt blhping ihlo
him olr rcaliznrs that thc m hc had bunpcd inlo ras lho isuallr imp.ircd.
Ken orercd lo help hnn to fie ccnlE.
m ,&*rrrb,rdo.'!x/t

Help lor the Victims
Ankdngthc hard soi l ilh his b.rc hands. Hczsnormakinsmnchpro8rcss
as hn fingers cre smau .nd bc $as roo cak to dis hard cnoush Ncarb]. his
pdrors turd sblings $ crc .lso doills r]t sare $ irhour u) nccuss uirh.i. Aris ad
hisfomilr rcrc hopinsro 6nd a trictlc of undcrsround salcr Thcn rhcy Nould bc
ablc to gcr a litilcdrinking $r!cr Erci sincc $c olnhqlatc @cuncd.lhcy $ci.
depined or proper food ercepl rhal ther could sahage lron thenhousebefoie
lhc €ethquakc Supplics. ho$crcr Nere running oul
Br ancmoon. Anis f.nilr hld Bnen up scarchins for mtc. Thry srt on
tc did-nlhd grouhd snaring ! plck.iolbierirs rnone drensenes Thc biscuns
had alrcadr erpncd but il $as a,l lhe aood $c) hrd lel ,u$ Oc.. the shniing
of a helicoplcr N.s hedd in lhc dist ce. Anis' fani. toselhcr rilh thc otlcr
yiuascs. mn lo aclcarinsahcad. Th{ lcrc shouling.nd Navins dcspcralclv in
Oc an. noping fiat $c hclicopter nad bccn scnt lo hch fi.n ourof$cnnisery
Thcn i[!gc $as so rcmorc thal ho orc had rcali4d oDr lnct. roo- had bccn
afccrcd by thc ca qua*c. Onc oI Ihc r illagcB tooli or hn rcd T-shirl ind Nircd
it abont fraricrllt S@n. mosrof tlr n,lc illlgcc crc doin8 rbc srmc Nirh
Then faces lit up and lhc shouting and Nar ing b.ca$e more nxensc as the
soDnd lroh lnc hclicoplcr bccmc loudcr dd loudcr S@r il s?s dnccl .borc
$c illagcrs Thcl no cd 6act. dinling Lhal il Ms going b hnd Ho c c( Lnc
clerrins rvas nuch too small lor lhe helicoptrlo land so a huse package en.ased
iD brosn ncui.B as lorcrcd slorlv onto thc sround Thc rillagcrs scrarrUlcd
lorMrds lhc packagc- somc falling in drcn c.gcncs lo rcach it A rcscuc ro*cr
on th. hclicoprf cut thc ropc and lhc ncning lcll a!rnrc.aling canncd lood
and botles of Mter There lere rrhoops oljor froh lhe iUages. The) danced
&ound $c pacliaBc sithBIec. L@tnlg up. Lhcy shoulcd sordsoflhants in lhen
dialcd to lhc pilolandlhosc on board lhc hclicoptc. Thcrill.scrs saN thcm €yc
There Nas eciled chatEr mong $c rillrgeh as the illage head gae oul
tc lood dd drnlks oquall) lo. cr.vonc Thcr rycre glad oafic sompaos ncal
tct Nould na! lhar nighr Somco.c had Gnallt aound Oen dd pro idcd hclp.
Thcrc $.s rcncNcd hopc lhal lhc authoritics ould soon scnd rrorlicrs orcr lo
hclD ficm Ebuild t[€n iu.se

My Birthday Celebration
Unlikc rhc prcrious rca6. m! binldry cclchmtion last ]car rvos c(
dircrcnr Insrcad ofllc usnal parlics ar ! chalet or.l honc. rnr parcnls d.cidcd
ro spcnd rc slrulu dl1 rirh me. TIL) $ould kt mE ou( lor c di) ro arr
placc I rantcd I Nos in hish spnit on lcrming thal. As Ihc da! olml bnthdar
appiorchcd- I act an incr.rsing adrcnali. tush nitin nrc I could hot lvait dv
Thal norni.g. n] prcnls looli nc oul for . scnmptious bulrd breaklasl nl a
holcl I nNnchcd on croissnnls. {olfcd dolrn a hugc plalc ol bncon. saus.scs and
s$amblcd.ggs and tsulpcd doi glr$.sofomig.juicc B dErinclasdonc.
I Nas so full that I OouShlh).iea.s rrould burst I *!s giggling lite a liul. gtl!s
tr€ madc ou Nar lo tie ncxl stop n] farourilc ncga-loy stoE. Thc storc Nas
nising ia shuttcrs Nhcn rvc nrn.d Without thc usral crcNdjosllins mc. I rvas
.6lc ro brosc aor $hat I samcd A r@dcn dolli hous snn inticrto dcsigns
,.d tinr @dch flmnlrc cauel! ny c! c I drotrght ny usuall,! prudcnt ho$ci
Nonld onl] lcl hc bu)- onc ir.to I could nol bclicrc h) ca6 rhcn shc lold hc
tharIcouldpictlhtcncms.B rhcrimctlctrrhcstorc-IN,scaqingrhulkl
bag ol $rec dillcrent tor s
M) parcnts l@t he lo a larse belishop next I spe a long tine brorstu!
drcugh lhc bool{s ed h.gazircs bcaorc sclccdrg rhat I s antcd FiEUt - n as
Linc to eo to rhc cincna Thc dar( bluc and rcd caQcr grc the placc a s!lish
loot. I sr2Ed al $e scften wheE lhe ines oflhe shos ere flashed. Ther
rcrc manr dircrcmshosro rvarcL l nnally dccidcd lo N.lch 'Fmlastic .l Wc
bonghl popcom.nd drinks bclorc cnrcring lhc cincmi My facc lil up rncn I sas
thc conlonablc sca$ a.d lhc hu8c ercc.. SculinB doryn snuglv
'n
n) scar. I
nned in anicipation lor lhesho robegin
That as onc of lhe mosr mcmomblc bitldar s I ctr nad. Alfiough I did
nol h.c a c.kc or mr lricnds lo cclcbrat il ilh mc.I '0s ablc to do rlh cq I
.nlcd lhal dar'. Bt rhc tinc lhcdal cndcd- I asabsohtclt ohausrcd Ho{c.r.
I could nol stop shiling rron ear lo ea. Thatnight.l fell asleep su(ounded by aU

A New Year Pafty
S dra slid thc gliuc^ pininrohcr [.njLNl.boychcrc Flickinsbaclhcr
trch-culcd h.il shc salcd rt hcrsell rhc mnror lor fic l.sl lnnc S[c could
rurUclrcchu Dtr.I.t,p(o1hcbcrtr(r srlunnddrlrcbonr(rucutrLlLin:foxn
hcr Shc ras Eonrs aor ncr firsr Ncr Ycr pafl Ir.s oryanizcd b hcr liihcas
co,np!n) Shc as nnrllr oldcnoush to.ioih thcfr
Sando aclr h*. a Cnnccss as shc sl.rped our ol lhe crr nh her plrcnG al
lhc cntancc offic horcl Therc $crc min cll'drcsscd pcoplc milbrs lround
ftc horcllobbr Th. grccrcd hc!Dircnh.ndcoNncnlcd on hor bc.nlifulSandra
lookcd S,ndrrblusncd Sh..sllalhcnshcsr olhcr.hildr.nhcragc B.lorc
loDg. ccfonc as askcd to pioccd ro rhc billiootu Thc huge Dcr.l dooa ol
$c ballroo ncrc alrcadr opctrcd. r$calinga dnnh hr placc lhal sasdccoritcd
rn Eold and sihcr S.ndra gapcd al lhc sighl bclorc hcr Shc lclr likc slc as nr
, palacc Alfioush S,ndra as supposcd ro bc scarcd nh nci prrcnh. dr spcnr
monolhcrttrrchlrnrgrodrcorhcrchildicn Tlr plarcdrndr.llcd.{acoincr
Thc highlig[i ol rhc parr] rsrhccounrdon Ir rncd bn scconds bclorc
nrdnrsht Sandra rctuned to ho pnrcnts sidc and as srcn a panr poppcr.
Nrtrrbc6cr llishcdotr a hurcscrccn r lrotrl ollhch ns thccord ch.trlcd rhe
nunrbcB roscthcr l hcn voiccs bccamc lotrdcr.nd loudcr rcachtusaftctr7.rhcn
tr $.s midnishr Pa( poppcrs $crc rclcascd and lcrc crc nugs and snous or
Happ Ne Year . Sandra s pnrcnc sie hcr a bcar hug cach Sandla ran to her
nc aricnds lo $ish llrcn happ nc lcrr roo
'lhc parn contnrucd l.lc inro $c nislr Sandra asshr rbont soing on drc
dan.c lloor al irst bur litcr shc as pc^uadcd roroin hcr iricnds thcrc Shc Nis
'n
hrgh spnils. bu6ri'rg inlo nc olllnghler occasDnall and slur rherbodr lo
$cbcaloflncmrsic H{p.rcnahadbpcnu.dehcrblc.rcthcpan! HoeeL
onccsltrcachcd homc firigucocrcamchcr Shcdidnorcoch.trsconiofhcr
clorhcs Shc lcll intoadccpsl.ct rhc hurc hcrh.ad 1o!chcd thc pilloN

The Dishonest Boy
Thcrc Na s complclc si lcncc in I hc class MB Kumr slood ol thc front of thc
class Nilb a $ck ofp.pcE in hcr hands. Jcrcnr squnmcd in lis sc.l ME I<umar
$as Birilgotrr dE Mldro.rics G papc,s dlar dE studcn6 had done l.sr cct.
Jcrcmt $ondcrcd rlcn his nflmc onld bc callcd
''Jcrcnr." Mrs Kuhar callcd. Lo$ in rhoughr lcrcht almosrluhpcd oll
of hr serr'n nrehr V's k@rr rs lra'rng rr h'a r nh, qe'n cprer on on
hcr facc. Just as Jcrcny approachcd [cr. slc brokc inlo a $idc snile. Bcdning
rrilh dclighl. shc announccd lo lhc class lh rcrcmr hld scorcd fnll nurks lor thc
leicmr_ could.ot bcliec bis caal His eres Nere snining it delighl Hc
Nonld bc ablc ro sel t[c handhcld sde cotuole lhar lns molhs had promncd
hin. Jcrcmr could not conccnlratc NlEn thc lc$on bcsrn. Hc ryas too crcitcd
Ointnrgabodnnallt osniheaeamc@nsolclitchisotnorclassnarcs Hocc(
hc thougtl ir o cr a.d dccidcd ro pay !(cmion as hc did ror ut to gcl into tonblc
Nilh his dour leaclcr Jcrcnr rvas siu in high spnns about his tsulls rhen he
noiiccdthatonc of rhcln$vcc on thc hoaddid notmarchhis Hc doublc-chcckcd
lhe ans er and realiTid that his own a nsrcr as rvrcns. Hs teacher had nade a
flhhke in hor fta*ing! A art ofuncasines rvashed orer hin. Should he tcu
nisrcachcr tlr hlhl Bulilhc did. dDl Nould mcan hc Nould not gcl lnll morts
and hh nolhcr rould nol btr)' hin lhc grmc consolc Jcrcnt as toublcd Hc
pondered or er lhe problem for the restoathe lesson. B) $e line fie lessonended-
lrc had rcsohcdnolro tcu anyoncrhc lrulb.
Whcn hc rcturncd nomc dar dar. hc shorcd his morhs his M.rhcmalics
papeAspio6nod. shc rook hin lorhc shop larcrid rhc aarchoon lo eorhin his
reNard Jeremv feL a tinge olguilt as he athed lris nother par for $e gahe
console. Hc antcd lo lell hcr thc lrull bul he s rlso rcq ca3cr b pla] fic
goncs Hc dccidcd nol to say anrdrins. Tnot night. Jcrcmt spcnr thc cmirc nighr
plating gamcs. Thc tcst papcr $as dc flroe$ lhing on his hind.
All uaces ofBuill e.e gone br the ne! mominS. rere^r boli E gaoe
consolc lo school to shoN his aricnds Ashc boastcd about th. dillcicnl gMcs dd
hoy hc cnjolod platine 6cm- hc had clcarlt lorgouc. aboul tc l.$ papcr thal
.s luckcd at lhc back ofhisschool bns.

iI?B!'
The Burly
ll as lour o'clock b fic tnnc rlr band Draclicc ras oycr Daid rallcd
hcsitdnrlt loards lhc school gatc Hc hor.d rhar hc ould bc nblc ro lcNc rhc
sclrool bctorc hcbumpcd nnu Run. rlrc school btrlh Hc nis rerined ofRun n d
il'n!ssccnrcdlhfl hcould bumpinrohnnIcnccrhclcischooll'lc Dlrid
had.iL6r mncd ,round rhc cornr rhcn hc .oriccd lo hn dis'na d.r Ron as
lcrnitr;.'.L.rl'r.'s.'ihr rh..,.hool sJt .r.uitr; rn hi.d'rc-rion
For i momcni. Daid stood lhcrc tror turosing nh.l todo Thercsisisni*
on Ron s hcc as Ic n@dc oirds Daid On sccirg Ron.oning roards hnn.
Drid s lcgs trrtrcd b i.lh Hc conld nor n'n,$, .s mu.h,s hc anrcd (o Hc
baclcd intoa cornsand archcd rlh homras Ron totrcrcd ocr him Ashncr
cnl dotr hE spinc and hc lrmcd palc Rotr rcichcd ouland srabbcd Drid!
.rtrs nh hk osn nuec nands. shaking nnn iolctrnl
'Gnc hc our rllcr!" hc said nh. srarl llcrrins Ronf oicc scnt
anoller chrll lhroush Darid sbod Hc slmnkbnck in lcar Hcdd nol pnl upirr
rcsslancchcn Rotr suddcnlr pnllcdhrsallcloul fto hnpockd Thcnnithoul
.non,crord. Rotr r.n oaf.
Daid slood roolcd 10 thc spot lor i nroNcnt. Fishting back h6 tcars. hc
pictcd up nk ba3.nd .dc his .! to$rrds rlE s c .,LN lhcn hc nc.rd a
hnrili.r oicc bnr nhour ns usual gmfncss Ron s.s plcadnrs lor Ncrcv! Otrr
olthccomcrolh6$c.Dardsi Ronbcn,gtunchcduir,lhclcllrorh. ground.
Anolhcr bullr lo Nas x ice Ron s sr/c snalclEd his rallct and look onr all rhc
moncr iNide Tosnrsrhc.llclloll[sround hcsacRo.oncNorcLictbcaorc
As Daid ilkcd honc rhit da. hc could nor hclp lcchng thar Ron had
gol h,s.iust desens Hc l,ad 'rntcd ro ltlphm eirlis bur Ror rai onin teaB
dc Dirnc hc sa Drid approachins him Daid had nlars becn loo.lr.id lo
rcll on Ron so pcrlrps $c nEidcnr rhar rN h.ppcncd to him .s fic bcs rnr lo
lc.ch Ron a lcsson Darid ondcrcd ilRo. ouldslopbull)ingh'tr ahfhal
thcolhcrbulll had donc ro hiN.
!

The lmpatient Taxi Driver
MrWilliaoslapped his linren impntientlron the stecring$heel. He glanced
at thc clock o. thc dasnbodd for Gc thnd Imc in rbc last minutc. Thc tnmc bad
[ccn hal hcn hc sot on thc e]pEssrva] bul tro: il ha'l comc ro a Iandsli,l.
Tnc pa$cn8cr in ftc bact scat h.d fallcn rslccp hk ncad hiftiDs lhc $indoNpanc
occasionallr Jusl ftcn. Mr WillianN noliccd o sap bclrccn lhc c.u iD thc l.nc
nel lo his. Acceleraing. ne $ e^ed his car to lhe lefi.
T,yrcs scrcccbcd as Oc drnci bchind slcppcd on his bral,cs to aroid
MrWiUirms-car Ho{crcr.MrWilliamsprctcndcdnotlohcnrn.Allhcrantcd
lo do sas to rcach his dcstnrlion as soon rs hc could so lhat hc could fctch
noro pa$enge.s a.d carn moic non.r His lari Nas olmosr peeendicular to
rhc rci oarhc lramc a.d h. Nas making lhc alrcady congcsrcd cprc$*a!'
oBc bulhc did notcnrc Horns rcrc blarins butMrWilliams isnorcd thcm.
Mr Willians bldjust mo,ascd lo slraishlen nis taxi rhen he no{iced anoth€r
gap in fic uamc. H. $rcn cd bact lo $c llnc hc $as on clrlicr cansi.g ttc
ca6 bchind b srop.btuptly..
Whcn rhc cac,hcad bcgan moying rgrin- Mr Willilm s ,ccclcnr.d Hc
norcd so fasr $at he had lo step on the bralics noN and lhcn to stop hinself
fron hntnr the car in fronl By ficn. his pascngq had bcenjolted &om his
slccp Hc adiscd Mr WiUiams to sloN doNn bnr bis.dyicc Ncnt nnhccdcd
Tbc ridc bccamc bumpicr r.d norc dangcrous as Mr Willians .hcmatcd
behreen acceleralins and lrrakins. He also se ed in and oul ol the lanes
hcnccr hc sa lhc u.fllc in orhcr lrncs easins up whcn n nas limc ro rurn
off tbc c xplc sssar. Mr Wi lliams spcd up toorcrlakc tNocaE bcforc $rcNing
ro his lcl. Hejinncd on his brokcsjNl bctorc turnins oul Thcposcnsc!lcll
lonl ard. alhost linocliins his head rgainsr $e fronl seat. The nb conlaining
his docuhcnb tuoblcd ofl drc scrt and a Natcr bonlc roUcd und$ thc drncr's
Mr Willians drolc his posscqcr to his dcsinalion in rccord lims dcspite
Ue hear ramc. Honerer lhe i6te pdsenger $reatened to call the uiconpany
lo complain aboul Mr Williams' rcctlc$ drnins. MrWillions did nol rcalizc tlc
crorofhis$ats HcapologiT.d ro rhc passcngd and lold hin hc lvould nor do il
aeain butas s@n as the ner pa$enger gol inlo his lai- M, wi:lids sped olllo
Iris nexr destinalion. clc i aorgcllins rhat hc I iustsaid.
;traa,,: flo

iI?B!'
The Kind Stranger
Old MrsSinnnons.s.itingarthcbnsslopiarcrsoitrssroccrt slDpping
.lthcsupcnnarlcr IlcrmnscrcladcnnhdDDpinBbiss Somcofthcncrc
slura un ltrr rh: Sonrc rsr cL chcd o ld hrr s TIts rsc crccpriomlh
hc.1 n momnrs as shc hadjust bonght ricc. canncd lood.nd prcli( drinlis
,6r rh.n. shcaa rhc hls ,pprorchlns ind huricd lo rh.lronr ro ths ir
M( Sitonons as aboul to gel on rhe bus hcn ! grollp oatoung gnh
bnrslEd p.sl hc. Tnc sanlcd ro gcton lhc bus nr( Snc ahnosl losl hcrbalancc
nhcnoncolllcbagsNhich ftc gnlshadnnsnnssoiolcnlh inhcrhatrd Shc
grin,ccd in p,in hcn rhc b.g conhnring rh. canncd lood hn ag,nNr hci lc!
Aroung mar lD rs llso going up rhc bus orcrcd ro cafi) hcr bdgs loi hc.
Ivl6Snnmonsnsgralclullohinlorhuhclp HcccnhclDedicrroriphcrcird
on thc c.rd rcadcrbclorc Btridins hcr loa scar ncar thc tr.ck door
As drc]ornu conrnrucd. Nlrs Sinnnohs bcgan dornre or Snc boscncdlu
grip on onc ol rhc phsri. bags Th.ans oLdrcar rollcd our ol lllc b,g md onro
thc lloor Mm S nnronsnrmpcd up lom hcr scal Slc a(cmptcd to pjck dcnr up
bur ii ras d'mculr ro gcr rhcnr rs son,. olrhcm rcllcd abonr as rcbusmorcd
Oncc agam it ras lhc snmc senllc'nin ho had hclpcd hc, up lhc bus carlrr
ho c.nluillr pjckcd up all thc cans lor hcr Bv coincidcncc. hc ahgtrtcd at lhc
sanrc dop .s hc. Annonen hc lookcd litc hc us in . nrh nc o0crcd ro hclD
MrsSnnmonsc,tr hcrgroc.rics llcsalkcdnrthcblaTnru$mall$ca! 1olE
hor€ Hcaspcrsptrirsprornseh br llelinchereachedhc.bloclolnalsbuthe
cominucd car^irs rc bass trp rhc flishr olstcps to lhc sccond floor
Nlrs SiNnons sas sr.ttul ro ihc rounq nran so shc nnilcd nnn n& bcr
housc lor a drink Hoccr. hc dcclincd rohrcl] Insrcad. hc g!c M6 Snn'notrs
his relcplrone iu0Lrer. lellinr her lhllhe nr ed near her rnd o{ld help herrith
hcr {occn shoDpnu hctrccr hc cotrld

The M isunderstoo,d Girt
Snndro saso.c ollhc ricbcs sirls in lhc school. Shc bchorcd in. haushly
nmh.r diri.gonlt ilh$osehoscfanilicarvcieas.ichrsheis Herclassfr ales
J'k(d l'('.s rr Irlr rl'.r shr ds.!on!u'ruJ g l Ho<c, (s'ro'.( oputro
!rrrsr.c.$rihc.Aslsual. Slndirsarbt bcaclaintecan&cn. Shcdidnol
consumc lhc food from lhc cantccn likc thc othcrstudcnrs. Shc as lodunolc thol
shc as ablc lo bri.g delicacics f,on home Somctincs. shc had sushi. At other
timcs. shchadstcak Shc anrat s had a conhincr of nolth{ aGing aood for hcr
ncah That rcccss. ohc oaher poorcr classn.rcs coLld nor but ant food aion
thc canteen as his parents did not harc an) noncr lor him Hc drol from thc
Natcrfouhinsd l@lied Ionsingll alfie bo$lsofhot soup noodlcs and plalcs
ofricc d:at rnc oth{ sNdchc bough for tncn ncals His sromach grorlcd ,M hc
cltrlchcd nas if bprccm thc sound fion rcacning thc edsolrncothcr nudcn6
Noticinghim. Sandh tet hd thinssand $allied orcr !o hrm
Thc boy Nas shetcd for Sadra had .s * spokcn to hin bcforc. H6ras aboul
ro tuo aay and run ollNhcn shc pushcd ncr conlaincr oafed in,ro olnim
_l-tbeen$atchingyou." shc saidquie r.-andInoliccdthalrouoltcndo
mt nac monq b buy aood. You c& hac mtu I. nol catcn n I ct " Thc bor-,
sas mltcn aback Hc lnoughr hc lad hcrd Nrong but Sandra rcpcard hcBcla
Shc told hm $ar shc had a hcary brcaadr lhal homing r.d ns nor hunga.
He tooli rhe cutleq lrcn herhesnan r. Thantins he. $e bor ale the lood shyly
at nrst. llcn a lnrlc raskr. nnishin3 c.o mo6cl olrhc bcsr mcal he had crcr
catcn Wiping his,noulh Nnb 1nc back olnn hand hc fianlicd Smdra fo! hcr
''I-ll get h] naid lo prepaE $o ponions e er.r day. I ll hare one and )ou
c.n lE c lhc otno onc.'- slE said. T[cn nb a smilc. shc pnckcd tcr lhinss md
Tho bo. Nas stunncd ahd so N.re $c rcstofhis clasthalcs $hohnppc.cd
lolritncsthc incidcnt. Sandn Ms not os snobbish ns lhcr hld lhoushlhcrtohc.
All at o.cc. dc odor s[de.ls bcgd to leel guilly. Pohops tc! h.d assumed lhal
bcnrs rich. she ras proud and l@kcd doNn on lhcn. Horvcrc( in lrulh. shc hld
bccn too afrnid lo spcak lo thcm Er c{ onc rv$ dclcm incd lo cbesc his atliludc
blrards Sandm from thcn on

i_!
The Fisherman
Thc lorrr runblcd nrtoficcarp. ncl lol[c bcach h ras lhc smr]lhonn
oarlE momnrs and E bc.ch ras dcscncd Usnrs lhc brilhr moonlishl ro suidc
hih rtout. M Doldn collcclcd his nshnrs rqurpDcnr ntul rtrdc h6 rr ro rhc
Mr Dolan ras a rcrircd policc omc.r Hc spc.r molr olhir (inc nshrng
Hc drd nor toiid iI hc cnr honq e rpr-hrndcd as lre enioed rhc lrrnquil
suroundinss it llE bcacn Taknrs oul hn collapsiblc plaiic cnnir Mr Dolnn
scl it np ar lhc cd8c olthc brcalimcr Thctr hc prcparcd rhc b.il Hc cDc h
pur lh. ban otr rh. hoor in lcss rh.tr a minurc B.,nrirg proudl). h. .s gld
rhlr hc !s srill good.r ir 4.n rhough his n.ech cic cat rM rh$ ofrcn
trcmblcd Aftcr rossing in thc linc. hc proppcd rhc rod on rhc brc.kratcr and
sclllcd donn lth hN canrslcr ol hol corcc od a conr0incr ol sands ichcs
Tnc sca lookcd calfl.nd pcaccl l li(c ir [ad.nas bccn so Hc cpccrcd ro
an a long rimc lbi rc 6rsr crr.h Shring our rt rhc opcn sci. lc nnigncd
hil ncnl on utrdcnalc. Thcrc mrghl bc manr scnools ol nsh $nnmnrs
rbour or pcrhrps lhcrc as trorhing hur lcarccd Jusr rs hc as rbonl to snt
hr lccth rnto hissccond sindrch. hc notrccd hE ns!rng rodierknrg
Drcppnrg his sindLich back nrlo lhc contanrcr. MrDolitr sat np and gripDcd
hk6sinrsrodsnhbo$n.nds Hn cc ncnrcm $ rs trrournrg Hcsas scldor so
nrch Asnc rcclcd in rnc lirc nccouldscc n lr.nrnrg .g.nN nrc rod
"This Ish nNsrbe rcall) tig] hc eclalncd lo hins€lr whit hc pullcd oul
oa rc sca $as bcond his $ildcn nnagimrion Cau8hr otr hn hoot $ a htrsc
grcl nsh rnh black spot C.ustlon ns hil asa lilrlc crab! Loolinsclosd hc
dah/cd rlrr lhc cob hld so'nchoN pinch.d rhc tilloarhc ish and had r.luscd to
Iet go hen the nsh becaDe l,oolicd or rh. l,sh,ng li..
Mr Dolan toscd re lish nno his p.il rosclhcr nn rhc ltulc crab TIcn hc
pnt ano rcr ba on hn hoo( Lcrning brcl h his chii. hc slanccd d borh ihc
nsh lnd rhc (ati in rh. parl Ir sccncd hk. n !s golna to l{ his l!'.t d!) Hc
o dcrcdharorlrrhrci.slngcath.rheould!e1i'r rhc.crlc hours

The Farmer
Itlr Ptrham lnnpcd aficr Sh.rDq. his shccpdog A[cad olficn as lhc
docloashccp ll.sarnndar andccnoncaslcchreslu3skn Athnficl
,cacltd rl,c pinuc N! Ptroursstled undc, J Lec rliLtccpilsr sl'Jrp srotr
Mi Pnrnrtu ioddcd approinsh is Shrpa) hcrd.d rhc shccp i.ro ! corncr
lrdidnorcenhalerobarlrosho lhalnasinclrrrgc Th.shecpk c c&rll
rlar Shrrpir sintcd rcmrodo Thcr crcitnidofSnipa anddidnotslral
aar Mr Putnam as abonl to takc a nap hcn hi son camc nrnrirs to ards hnn
'Pol1 lootssicl, lrtccpsrnrirgrolicdornr"s.iJhissonbrcdhlcssl ln
! llash. NtrPurnlD ason hislecr Alt(shonhgrr Slr pa rosar.h rhc shccp.
ne nobblcd as lanasnc conld bicli to llr fnxnhousc Pollv$$ctrrrcnf-caF
old horsc nnd it had nol bccn ncll rcccntlr Hoccr. b lhc limc Mr Puh.nr
rc,cn.d thc n.blc Pollj Ms,lrcd) on ns sidc lt $,s.lcar r[,r n N dj nrg
NlrPut[nshoolnisnc.dunhippih Alioncrcaicdhislbrchcadrndhisnourh
ras scl in a gnnr linc Hc ncr llrl lhcrc Nns nolhirg rorc tlcr conld do
Al$ough N{r put[nr !! upscr b Poll's dc]tl, hc krd not ro slr n
Aicr rclhns his son to rcr hclp in buning Poll: bod our in rhc lield. hc lctl
thc slablc Hc chcctcd on lfie chickcns cluclirng troisilr ir rcn c@ps atrd lhc
dhgflnrtlcd pigs sqrc.hs h ficirdics Hc h.d couccrcd rc cggs aron nrc ncns
rl nronrnr!.nd hc hrd clcxncd fic dics bo Nonnalh nc orld trol ch.ct on
them until eeni.g bul ltat d!. aner Poll) s death. lrc decded to do a n) ,lh
Iisrnr.lrournrc Ilcakochcclcdrhcco$ $hichlEnadi6lnilLcd r.lmornins
Hc bch.cd.s tnonrl hc ras rar.id rll drc annnrk sonlddic likc l'ollr wit[ a
righ. hc rcrum.d rorhc plsrnrc
Sharpar had routrdeduprlrsheeplndasannrgpatienllr aldetopolrl,e
slopc for ns nr.slcrro rcrun Rtrmin! ns hcad. Vr Puh.m odcrcd il Lo lalc thc
shccpb.ck b fic lann
-lhcn
hc srt on rhc smss hn bodl shiknrs nh sobs rs hc
rhoughl olPoll) rhc n(rln'nalhc had oncd Nlrcn hc shn.d lhc larm
,,,..h^ rE)

The lmpatient Bus Driver
The bus runbled inlo lhe bus lane and the people at lhe bus stop
imncdiatslr lormcd a lons qucuc lo act on il Un.blc to catch up NnI drc
orlrc6. Ms prcstouctrdcd up.ttlc crd orlhc qucuc Shc waslDbbhrsalon8
usins hcr Nalking slick $hilc carqins a hc.-r bas ofsroccrics in ncr olhcr
hand al rlc sanc limc. B! the tinc il ras hcr rurn lo stcp onlo lhc bus. rlc
drieras alrcad_ tapping his nngeis impatienU' on the sleeii.g sheel.
As Mrs Prcston did not ranl to hold np thc orhcr passcngcrs. shc tricd lo
chnbllp thc stcps.squickh !s shc could. Ho$crc( shc had lo stop on lhc s(ond
ncp d stcad hcscll.s ho srccrics Nerc ycn lEr( Shc had brElr ncppcd
onro d.last sicp rhen thc doorcloscd bchind lrc. The drirer shncd Ocbusjust
*hcnshcraircd h.ram ro lap n6 cmd oi $c rcads Snc sunbbd ro$ad and
bclorc shccould rcgain hcrbllancc. rhc bus suBcd fo^ ard Mr Prcslon srnbbcd
onlo tle ne esl hmdmil to prevcnl h€nerfrom fallins. FonuaGlr. thercasa
sc,l bchi.d$cdrncred Mts Peslo. hlricdlr s donh
Throughoul lhc jounrcy. Ms Peslotr lound hcsclfclingingonlo thc cdsc of
hcr scar tor dcr lifc Togcthcrnh thc othcr p.sscngcE. shc Nas sNrl inA fron
lclt lo.ight as thc impalient bus drner srncd in and out oflramc. honliins at
ca6 ftat blocted his path Hc spcd rvhen$er lher $as an cnpl_ space on $e
road Hc ould aho slcp on fic bralcs suddcnlt Nhcn anothcr rchiclc cur irro
hh path MB Prcston annost lcll or olncr scat L icc Thc hd, scard ncxt to hcr
dDpned her handbag and dother pass€nger $no $as standing lell on top ol$e
passcnsfhoNas scared al r bact
M6 Prcston Nas glad Nhcn shc 6nally rc.chcd hcr slop Whcr $c bus ras
oppro.chihgfic bus slop. shc nadc surc that slrc had a Eood slip on thc lDndrail
before she sbod up. She nas lucr thal slr drd The bus came lo such a sudden
slop lhal a f.n slandint passcngcf lcll fonrard. Sooconc 6cn lcll our ofha
scal Ms Prcston ras slad Nhc. shc nnally got ofl rl[ bus TaIinB do$n lhc
rqistatio. nnmbc. shc dccidcd to lod8c a complaint lo tnc bus compa.y lhc

The Haughty Gir,
"Looli d hcr! Who docs slc lhnrk shc h)" hispcrcd a rouD olenh as
E turcd h rc diEcrion ofAsncs rhc nc snl thcircl.ss Snc tr.s snLnrg
U I'si:ell nr rhe cr Lsc . rendnrg tr bool Asn.s rurrcd .nd scotrlcd.{ rher'
Shc shook hu hcad.t lhcn nnnmtunr and co inucd rcading hcr book lt ras a
lno l.cr (har shc as $c richci snlin dc nnool and shc lurncd np hcr nosc
ar lhc esr ol lhe studcnrs in hcr school ho ftosrl) .ahe ioh ! oAing class
Whctr tlc bcll rins. shc cnl np lo $lrrc hu class ras and ioincd fic rcr
ollcr.lassn,rcs Shc as,r th. cnd olrhc linc and snc sood cll aA |rom
E othc$ Hcr rcaclr.r notioncd aor h.r ro nro. clos$ and roin hcr cla$h cs
bul shc merclr sac a slshl nod atrd nrncd aNar Shc did nor nanl lo ilk too
trcar lhc no burh bors at lhc back Thc rcclcd olpcEpralion As shc cnlcrcd
dc clrsroor. s[c procccdcd ro hcr dcsk.r dc bacl nn hcr [cad hcld high
As shc r.ltcd pa hcr chssn.rci dcsls. snc !l ccd m rhc pcicrl c.scs that
hcrclissmitcshndon$cndcssnnd snnkcdnrho lo{lasslhc crclousc
sLch n,lclor itcn,s Unlilc thcm rll trcr srrloncq as bou8hi ann, ihc ongmil
Disn$ stolcs rn Amerna
Asncs ras ostracrTid br hcr cla$nrnlcs bccinsc of hcr auitudc bnr rr did
nor bonrr hcr SIc hcld hcr hmd nigh and bccausc shc did not scc shcrc slf
tras goirg. s[c tippcdocr a pcncilon 11[ Ioorrtrd lcll ll.ron hcr lacc Shc Ia]
rotionlcss lor a h,le. nunncd bl hal had happeNd. Whctr she lred 10 sland
trp. s[c rcalizcd rr slt had scrapcd hs lncc Shc $as.botrt ro hobblc bacL b
hvdcsl snctr shc fch.n xnn rround hcr shouldcr
_L.l mc hclp )o!.' sard Laum. r soll-srolcn gnl ho s ncl ro Agtrcs
Agtrcs $as strpised thal Laura rould help her ner all. sl,e had rreated her
cr] badlt dtrrnrg dc ecli Shc did nol ccn lend hcr a nrlcr lrcn sltr nccdcd
onc $hctrAgncssardon somconcckc camcocrro gnc hcrapiccc olrissrc
nrpcr Asi.shdd c.rbccnrrclrcdsocllbr hcrclassnrtcsbcforc.ShcNso
rouchcd b) rlrracriors drar slre ,l'nosr bursr inroL.aG
Allc' drat incdcm. Agncs sroppcd h( high Md m,ghl bclu1our Slrc
sloprcd lookrns don on hd lricnds lr nnallr o.cuft.d ro h6 rhdr ir is ha(
pcoplc crc lilc i$idc that nrnttcrcd and not ius ho cahhr rhc crc
.,,?ch^ rg

The Reckless Boy
_Gct
oul oalhc ar!" scrcnmcd. pixic-sircd hor in T{hin and shons A
s$ean and thc clatrcrihg ol0o$cr,.$ Nerc hcard ,s an cldoh lad prcssed
lusclr.galN re all ol i uoinnton uurid.r as lllc lrot IiizL{ pin lrr on h(
starc scoorc.lordan rumcd arouhd r.d giinncd at $c old lad) Hc !cd lo hcr
as hc spcd doNn $c corridor
Jordan scrccchcd to a stop hcn hc rcachcd lhc end oathc coridor Raisin8
the &o pon oI his scooler. he spnn arcund tud headcd brc( lhe sme Mr' lordm
$rs halt$.! do$n thc coriidor rhc. hc did a hcadsond on his slalc scoorc. Hc
6iscd both his lcgs in nidanlhd hcld on io $c scoor*$nh bo$ hands
-rordanl Cel bact in norvi" scrccchcd a oicc lrom onc oadrc nals don
thc coddor J ordan sol suc[ a lri gh t hat he lost controt of thc s katc sc oorer Hc
ticd to bring his fccl dorn ro thc n@r bui [c lost nis balrncc. Thc akarc scoorcr
$cncd dangcrouslt b thc riebr b.rorc cnshing inlo. mchl shcllorfloscrpot
Jordan landed on hisbac[ rith the scooter.lhe melal shelfand a fe no$erpols
on top ofhin. Fo,tunatcly. h. rvas mhua Hc pushcd crcD-rhing ofhnn ad
scrantrlcdtonis accr Gra66nrg lis slatc scoolc( hc mn i!.ol,is nal
Hotrcr. r[ras not the cnd ol Jordan s antics. He as on thc skale scoorcr
a8.in in his roo'n Allhoush his room sas nor spacions. nc could sliu do sonc
slunls Tbis limc. nc had onc lool and hand or inc scootcr rhilc lifling lnc odcr
f@l and hand in tridanas [ough hc as a profcss ional sluntiidcrin a 610 Hc
pEGnded $ar he as statine aa ftoto a g.oup of gangsters and cncled his
r@rn sccral tincs. sonr8 hstcr cach finc Soon. nc bcc.nc so siddr lhal hc *as
lorccd ro slop Tircd ofhisskatcscoolc(Jordandccidcd lo do somcna Bon his
bcd Dcspnc knoNhg tho danscis ol lalhng froo a doublc-dcckcr bcd. ,ordan
did nol care. He sonemaulted lron o.e end oflhe bed to the other Finally. he
linislEd $idl a lourisl b lmnsins upside do n o. lhc l.dder datrras ncxl lo lhe
Jordd had an incrhaustiblc anounr oacncr$ Hccolldnccrstopmoing
aboul Horvc cr. his slunls rvcrc oncn ct dangcrous. Althoush his parcnh had
ordorcd him ro slopdoing suchstu.rsandludcplaincd ro hin $c conscqucnccs.
It conlinucd doins lhcn. His rcctlcss bchar iour ould strcll cause hin to bc
scriouslr nrjurcd onc dat

The Outspoken Girl
"Whcrc did Ion gct I ou spcctlclcs from? Thcr 'rc rcallr trslr Thcy don l suiI
tourlall!'Amic-sroiccrd8our.soncofhcrclos$nalcs. Paricia. Mltcdintoftc
clnsro r ..iirghs oc sprcr.cles.Ths tr-sp.ckclsd g!l bdsrn& ki( indr&r
ro hcr dcsk. Wnhnnickofhcrhoir Annicsalkcdon Shcdid not thint hricc.botrr
spcaling h6hind clcn tough $h.! shc said rould hurltc otho pceh
She as ar hei dcsL huDming a lune Nhen she noiced $ar Joe. lhe bo}
stuing ncxt to [cr as busib daing Pccdtreo€rnis s[ouldc. shc bunl onl
l shinglrcn shcsa thcc icaturc oI Spidcman llDt hc hnd dm n.
''Yo! nced dirihg lcssonsr" she snodcd loc glucd ar h.r aId conlinucd
i1h his d6Ning. Unp.nurbed. Annie conri.ued nakine snide comments Her
aclions had irnal€d manr of hcr c lassnutcs. U nab lc to lo leratc her belmyiour thc
monitor chasliscd hcr aor bcins blunl. Anniciust snrirkcd and lold him that shc
''Crnicisn is a good tr.r to inporc- shc said $ilnour ba(ine ah cyc
Shaliing his hc.d in dhgun. rhc monilorNalkcd of
HoNc. n ras not lo.g bcaorc A.nic lcrmr hcr lcsson. Dnring, Ph)sical
Educalion lcsson. Annie ras pickcd bt lhe tcrchcr lo dcmonstEtc a nc
basli.lbau technique lhat he a cd to rcach lhc class Shc srclled lvilh pride
at lbc fioughl lhat hcr lcacncr lad probab pichcd hcr bcc.usc shc Nas a g@d
pl4e.Alcr lisrning lo hk insl clions. shc did as shc ras rold BoMcr.lohcr
etobatrasstoenl. not ooly d'd she fail to get he ball into fie hoop. she tipped as
shc ras dibbli.s lhc ball Tnc bdl e out ofh.r hands md l.ndcd in a bush
ouBidc thc conn lrcrlonc roarcd ridr langhlc.
''Annic snot as good as shc rhinks shc ,s! shc hcaid somconcsa!
''Slrei so clun,_l'- Iaughed aDlherpenon.
"Shcjun,nadc!tooloIhcBcl! rcecdaolbcrvoicc.
Annic as almosl in tcars Sr.llorins hcr pridc shc nn to pick up thc
ball lnd {as abour ro dnbbb $c ballback lo ftc rcachcr nhcn i as larcn aion
herby the rcacher Annie as told toloin theode^ at lhe side Tr€n $ercacher
picted Paricia lo dcnonslrarc $e tcchniquc An.i. hunghohoadassbc$alkcd
lo$ ards tho o$(s Shc look , scal al thc aar cnd- a'at frcn h( clr$narcs. nol
darurg to loot anronc in lhc crc. Around hcr. shc could slill hcar somc pcoplc

The Twins
Joshua nircd nr srryrisc al lhc tst p.pcr h fionr olhim Hos conld hc
hac donc so badlr for his Enghsh rcsr'l Wirh a sigh. h.lcanr back and handcd
rlru papcr ro hG dcnricil nnr. Ju,d!. Thcr loolcd so nlilc LIIL rlrnur .c,
lcachcr.ould norrcl| lhch ap.rl Ar lc!n. ris ash lhcl rholghr
'l,lis Polcranrsnc ro st brcl lorcm lcsronsbur l ha. a b.dnrron
mirchtrIShrninhnllanhotrrCanrousoinnrl placcl' Jordanplcidcdrth
Iti lxodrcr JoslN. trcr lh nn bro rcr had been pncrising cr hard lhc pasl
ho ccls lor rh. trpcomi,rg m.rch Hc noddcd bur grabbcd lord.n bclbrc hc
''Thn isrltc last lime' hc said. t^rnB ro sound ncrcc..,ordatr noddcd. lnirg
to looli as solcmn is Ic could wnh . hign fic. Jo an mccd ro thc school h.ll
hilcJoshtrnr.dchh.r rorllcsallroonrolootlorMrsPotrc.
Jos[ua $,s rorking lrrd oh nrc or($cd hc [,d bccn -!ncn ncn
Nlu Poucr sddcDh ,ratchcd thc paper lronr hrm. Hc lookcd ar ler rn
''Yotr'rc noi Jord.n!" slE s.id angril loslnu s n.rd |roTc D Didan Ihcn
triclihadbccndiscorcrcdl Hcanlcdlodcnr ilbnlhctrasalnidrhar MrsPoucr
otrld cncck nis bas.nd scc nr.r rlr bools h nh b.s h his nanrc .nd nor his
bm rcis Hc aseiU sdnrg.rlcr opcnrnou$cd sncn shc.i.bbcd ncrDcnara
lcttci I rhil hc lrid .trcn
"This n prootrhnt ou arc roshual sl,e said. hero'ce !srns a nolcl, loshua
.s ptrlzlcd Ilc nn.llr rcalizcd [al Nlrs Potrcr as tllnrg abour ncn shc
shorrcd nnn. piccc oanor( thar Jordan hld donc All rcliNcrcsrittcnnrr
dilfc(.r a) Thll smgl.l.no had gncn rhcto ra
M( Pon€r rarched up ro dr srhool hall ith ioshua r ro. ,ordan kne
har n.d h.ppcncd fic nnn& lE sa lhcm Hc lricd Lo hidc bur n sas no usc
MB Poncis oicc lhnndcrcd firoushonr fic h.ll lordatr as so arishicncd rh.r
hc slotpcd h's Samc nntucdi ch and tucclll lollo.d N rs Po(u to lhc sldll
roonr Thald.. bothJoslnra and Joldin $crc lorccd tosra b.ck ancrt.hourto
coftflcrcc.nhoicork Thcl dccdcdnccrropla) such!kickagrr rrlcan
i_!

The Health-conscious Girl
Gcraldinc look a bilc ot hcr nnlli8rair sandrvich thnt Ms fillcd iln a thin
slicc ofchicLen..d mosrlr lc(ucc. ronarocs and allrlaa. Ahlge glass ol ronlro
turdca,orjuic.n,s placcd oo rlicr lc ni rror ot [d Slrc CnislEd lrr s.nd* ich
ed loot. sip of hcr diint Thc lhict slighdr !..9, tas$ hadc h*oingc but shc
$ as dctcmincd lo 6nish tc cnirc glr$ Shc us told trt ir n as on. ol lhc besl
Ancr brcaLtssl. Gcrnldine tn for school One ofhcr classn.tcs had a
binhdat pany th dat Ho(ccr Gc6ldinc ras so hcanh-conscious tal shc
dcclincd $.lood d,l hcrclassmrl. ofcrcd h.rduring lccess Inskad. shc t!.kc<l
intoacont.incrof brorvn ricc. bcansad Ic mcatvhich hcrmothqh"dprcparcd
for lE Hcr classnalcs rvinklcd $cn no*s al tlr food thal Ceraldine Nas eathg.
Hoc!( shc ras undau cd Snc crcn dcclincd Oc rich crcan! bntdN catc
and gar..a! thc bagorsNcct inar lnc bndda) gnl l]ad givcnncr
Altersch@I. Geraldine did notjoin her classmales in lhe cantecn lor lunch.
Inncad. shc rcnl lo thc ndoor baskclball court and dribbl.d thc ball thcE. She
also plactiscd lh,o ins lhc baslc$all into tnc n@p. Hcr classmalcs rvalchcd hc.
lroh thc sides- munching on polato chips atrd cheine on srcels. No onc could
undcBtmd hr Gcrrldinc as so hcalth{onscious Ancr ccrcnins. Geraldine
dra . r bodlc ol ratcr and alc. bowl of roodlcs rh.t ras pilcd lo thc brin Nith
When Ceraldine rtuded hotoe loh school. she changed and renl
dor.sbns b ftc sNinmi.s pool for a srim. Shc did no{ spla about in tlE
pml litc thc olhcr clildrcn thcrc. lnslcad. snc Nm aonr lnps. r]ing cach imc
lo bclrd hcr rihing sincc shc lasl s$m. At nigh!. shc n& a bo{l of borvn ric.
and sone nerl and rgetables Herdinner rvas alnrost sinrlar to the food she had
caLcn in school but shc did noi mhd
Gcmldinct hcallh{o.scions bcnoviour puzlcd [s clasnatcs No onc
*nc $al shc had lost a colsin lo bulinia a fc$ non$s ago. Bo$ Gcraldinc
and hcr cousin had dcd to losc rcishl HoNccr hcr cousin bccanrc bulinic
dd crcntuallr dicd aron lhc illncas. Gcialdine Nas dctcrhnrd to mainrain a
hcahht lifcstrlc and )ct losc rvcishl at t[c emc rimc.Allhoughsnc somclincs fclr
miscrablccalinsonll hcalthr lood.slconcnrcnindcdhcxclfolhoNimpon.nl

The Timid Boy
I ralchcd mr lounscr brolhcr nidins bchind mr morlcr Nhcn c mcr nn
old nci8hboxr al lhc markcl. Sccins ho he bcnocd rcni.dcd nc ofono or
n clrsn.dls ho s.B so quier tud slr) rlar lrc tc blcd ![encu a.onc
spokc to him Hc Nas rchctant ro inrc.act Nith anto.c. I had ncrcr sccn
antoncrs shr" as hc $as.
Ben as dI classnrte Nhc. I r!s in Prinarl Three He ras lon India
atrd hc join€d thc cla$ in lhe Diddlc of lhc rc& Hc !s a snrllsizcd bor
rvilh r son roicc. Nol manl olus tncr Nhrl his oicc ras rcallr litc !s lc
hardlt spokc As nb English lras poor. hc did noL darc ro lalt io an! ol us
Wc tlicd lo be fric.dl] to h in .r sc untcd lo olcome hih to Si.gapore bur
[c Nould oicn slN ial fron us. Hc tcpt lo linsclf durins Ece$. Wncn
rvc inrncd him lojoin in our gnnrcs. hc $otrld Iool doNn.nd shtlr_ slutc his
hcad During Phtsical Edu.ation lcssons. hc nould shnd ar rhe bact or his
gioup. , ar fion ccqonc clsc.
ln class. Bcn dd nor d.rc looli thc lcachcr in thc crc.Iftc had sonrcdrtug
1o rsl hcr. hc Nonld nnmblc his rcqucsr hilc staring ar thc gronnd Oncc. I
astcdhin illcould bodoN hiserascr He.jumped in lrisht rhcn I lapped hnn
onlheshoulder He agrced lo lctrd rne thc erascr HoceLlaterrvhenlforgor
torctnrn il lo nnn. nc rrs loo .araid lo ask mc for it I did horcrch rc.lizclnat
I n.d kcprnGcr.scr in nt pcncil box forscrcrol dars unril ourtcachcr rskcd
us one da) ilanlone had seen Ben eraser lr as onl) !h.n lhar I learnt lhar
Bcnnadbccnscoldcdbr hismothcraorlosinshisc.oscr HoNcycr.hcsasloo
scarcd lo tcll anto.c tbal I had tokn it or to ost mc lor il I nnricdlr rclurncd
thc crascr lo hrm ahd apologiTcd forhccpi.S n
As I luhed n) thoughts bacli lo hy _ounler brother hiding hr face in
mr mother's drc$ hc. onr old nci8lbour lricd lnlki.s ro him. I onlr hopcd
thar hc Nould nor rurn out ro bc likc Bcn rhcn tc srcr up

Abisailrummased ftrcugh rhe bag thathad been Dlaced nelt to lhe rubbish
bin Thosc rvho did nol kno hcr sould hac lhonsht $at shc vas cnbcr a
[cgsarorarag-an'l-boDc-ladr Sncnasncnhcf Shcasjuslanoironnorlally
conscious pcre. Nho bclicrcdlhalccrllhingcould bc rcuscd. Aiu a Nhilc. shc
look oul o sct oaplaslic dmNc6 ard a doll a.d caricd thcm homc
Abigail s hone and all Oe r@os looLed near aod spada. Hoeer her
storoon {s conplclclv dillcrcnr. That as rrhcrc shc rcptcrcq$ihg $at shc
had pickcd w from bass lhat h.d bccn lhro n nsa] Thcrc rcrc somc lhnr olhcrs
Imd encn lo hc. Clc ins Nhm shc had rcrricvcd carlicr sh€ kepl lhcn in. box
in Oe sloeoon Allci lunch $at d. - s6e enr drough rhc la&st bag ol nems
$al hcrncighbour h.d girn h.. Thcrc rcrc chpry bodca insidc. Abigail Nas
dclishlcd To hc( cmptr botllcs crc uscftrl in nuli in g h.ndicra fis lhar shc oltcn
uscd lo entertain her childrc. ThcE Ncrc also old loys nride Atter c0minins
tcn. Abigail rclli7ad rhrl shc could lakc o Oc indi idull puls and usc tcm
She looli oul rhc plasic cotrofonc lo} and used n lo storc coins that cr Fins
xround rhc housc Snc colcrcd ,D old sh,pc soncr loy bor ith rcc) clcd papcr
and used ir ro sloE siarionc4 she ako rook our lhc old clolhcs and li.pr lhcn
Orncr lnar sccond-hand ilcns. Abigail also kcptlissuc hoxcs Shc madc
usc ofthcm to srorc dings To bcrulilt thcm. shc trrappcd $cn rilh cithcr
rec)cled paper or old rapping paper. There Nas norhing io her house that as
askd. Thr ancrnoon. shc tclped her son Nnh his Scicncc p.ojcct. Taling
our scycr.l tissuc bocs strands of rvool l.kcn fron old dolls a.d clorn cut
our trom oldclorhcs snc put ficm asidc to nclp him build his robol Shc ako
loot out old teleplrone rn.s ,nd cables $at cotrld be cut and used to hake
A Nni lc lalcr. A bigai I c aric d xvo rcus.blc b. gs and Nc.l lo fic supcmarkcl
Shc had stoppcd usins plastic brss long bcaorc olhcrs did. Shc knc dml usins
nore plasic bals rould conrribuk to de lnte, problen and by using lheo-
morc oil as nccdcd to producc thcr Shc not on' cncourascd hcr fanill d
aricnds lo osc rcusablc bags a.d lo hclp savc $c cnionmcnt bur bt hcr aciohs-
ndt ol $em had slor becone inlluenced b) hei and had decided to be nore
enrnomrentallr conscious lilie her

A Change
N h.tr ranoiIhcn hc hc.rd fic oiccs of$c bnllics appro.ching Hc
had bcc. cohcrcd br rh.tu rhc prn lc di) s !.d hid ikcad sicn rhcn all h'!
pclcr ronc Hc h d rur buushrrsr.dsill,itrd hcrl dur .un r., tus.ntdr
ir !a liotu hin. Hc dccidcd ro hidc undcr rhc srarccsc hcrc ir .s dair ro
Narhan hndru nnnhcd his sandsicl hcn somcotrc pullcd hnn oul lron
''So
rou rhotrghhon lonnd rhc pcnc.r Iidnrg plmc. didtr'r ou', erccrcd
rhcbiggcnollhc bulli.s N h.nt.tublcd inlcarrsl[cbull tocrcdolrhiD
rll a scontul look on his lacc Hc lhoughl that hc ould hac to gic up h6
pckcrmoncr lorrhcda.asanrhctrhc[eadatcachcisfooatcps l]nncdi:rch.
r[c btrll! rclcascd his lrip.nd dhrppc.rcd ftound drc conrr nh his lricnds
Jun rcn. ,nolh.r group ol bo)s .llcd pasl Tlq noriccd Nat[ q0ncrnrg
rtl lcar Rcn|,.ghatnlghrhrchappencdtohnn.rhc toldlnn lharhcras
.hr.vs trcing piclcd on bccansc hc ris a corard Nathnn scclhcd rilh hgc on
hc.rn,g lur r1u said. Hc lratcd bcn,g c.llcd a coard Hc rcsoncd b sr.nd up
lorhnnscllthcnct trn,c hc nrct thc builics
talcr lhal dar Nalh.n .lLcd nh hisnc.d n.td nish.s hc lci thc school
!.tcs Hc rc indcdhi'nsclaro sr.nduDrorlrc btrllicsilnc nrcrrhcm lhcmonrcnr
hc lci school. hc noftcd rhcm mock,ng h'm lom undcra bloct oln!rs. SqnanDg
his slouldcrs Narhan rook a deeD brearh and salled pasl lher His hean as
prlpikriDr so lotrdh r.t it soudcd lilc dnms poudnrg h Ik c.n Whcn onc
of$cnr srbbcd hnn hc rcactcd icrcclr b nnrgins lis .rm asar Shrins [nn
nraighr rlrcc Ndlhatr rold rhc bull rhlrrhisbnlllrnahadrosro, Thcbullics
snggercd ald sad llar lt as so sNall rhar he ould nor be ablo ro li8hr rlon.
St.lnrs.l llMr dcitunl. Natlun lictcd ar onc ofrhcn bass 10 sno thal hc mcanl
nh hc said
-lhcn
hc sl.rcd ar drc bnllics 'lhc norc D.triscd ro arishrcn thc
bullicscnough lorrhctu lo lcr hnn go
Narhtrn r.llcd orconndcntlr unlil lhc $crc onl olsrghl Thcn sinking to
rhclloor.lrccorcrcdhisli.clrlhislundsrsh6bodr shookiolcnrlr nhlcar
Hc had llnallr rood np lo thc bnllics! Horccr. had lakcn allrlr couragc rhal
hc conld ustcr Hc ras dctcrmincd toconhuc nandrngnD b rhcnr

The Widower
Clou'ls cc $altcrcd across lhc s(r The moedsoslorh burN{.philtps
troriccd rcn llc hrd bccn doin8 nodrnr8 bur .rnr8.l thcn lnr rc p.st hallan
hour Wirh his hsclchai' lo.l.d i', tlacc. i,c scctrr- eaFol'l hitc-hancd nan
$otrshl again ofhor muchola budcn hc nrs ro hk f0milr
ItlrPIillipssrippcdthc$hcclch.ir nraruslration Ilcbadl] .trlcdroscttrp
bul ltr h.d s,fter.d ! sfotc hcn he rs s,t -.nrc cla old and !s unablc lo
moc n is.ho thc rcar hn r ilc Fsscd aal lrom canc.r Thc lsuall) actic
.n ascotrnncd ro a shcclchan Hischildrcn hncd. aull-limcnunclohkccarc
ollis d.ilr nccds as lhc crc all orhrg Alrlorgh Mr Phillips oicn asrrcd
lris childL.n rh hc rsalliighr. hc lcnmitcoblc nsid. His ilc tr.sno longcr
.round ro ralk ro hin Hc as u rblc ro do rhc rhings hc usqd ro do: ccling.
rosgins. pliring lootballr1I hr smndclildrcn HoNclc. hc kq hE thoushrs
rust rhcn. lhc doorbcll ra.g Mr Plrillips anl.d to.iuNp od ofhis chanlo
op.n lhc doorbnl hc could nol rno! lt rasnnh grc.l cIIofl that hc nranascd lo
tr'n, hr hcrd His nnEc opcncd rhcdoo. Shndnrgrr rh. door ashisncighbotrL
i'l Brc He as nruch oldcr than ltlr PhrllrDs bul hc us slrll c$ !1. ln his
handnisachcsssct MrPhilhps'ccsbrishlcncdonsccnrsthcscl Chc$ishis
a.rournc q.mc.nd hc oicn pl.cd n nh nh ilc Nhcn shc sns ahc
'tli!' said Mr Brccl chccril] You Dnur miss plajing this Wn.r .bont
''Bnt I catr t moc m iflns. sid lur Plillips. ho ris sl'll as llcn ns
'Jusr Lcll mc hicn piccc rou $anr ro nroc.nd I'll do il ' said Mr Brocl
Hc rasdcremr.cd ro pla llhhisbcstlnend
Thc garc as.iusl Nhar Mr Ph,lhps nccdcd ro gcr our ol tlr doldrun$.
Hc spctrl drc oning plarirs chcss trh Mr Brcck Larcr Mr Brock nlrcclcd
[iD dotrsins b nrccl (hc o rr trcishbo0$ Mr Phillips .s shd lo spcal b
de pcorlc hoh hc hld hccn roo ashrhcd lo ldc. rico he as confincd to a
hcclch.n Hcrasplc.scdth.l$.toncslrlltrcatdhnnft s.nrcar Wnhhis
.n'n.''f'd. V Ph''|.t.
'. 'tr
tr.J r.l'r L."il .r. 'l 'l.rlf
.grn

A New Start
Sandra righrcncd r[c cocr ol rhc nrilk botlc rnd nrook n isoroush Shc
drippcd . lc$ drops on hcr rkl Lo lcsl il n rs lM comccL rcmpcmurc TIcn
5lt h.dcd ir ro rl,c roddlcr ranilnrs crL Lo lrs s hu lrd bcen rtrusnr! nd T-sI[ L
nhilcshc.sn[linrshismilklorhnn S.lnfi cd. hcflopDcdonftcsoaranddr0nt
Sandra lci her brorh.r alo.c &d .lrcl.d on l$ to orlrcr brorhcrs Tlr.
erc chnrs lclcision Shc ticn hndcd io ino rcr rcor ro cneck on ls hr in
silcEhoscrcplaringrc.rdsanrc Thcr crcnrllcnsrosscdnrficngamcso
shcdc.idcd b rrt. otrr hcr rcrbo.ts ro rcad Thci. rs a rhi.1.croldu{orci
rhcnr as shc hld tror lalcn thc.r our lor i long rinrc Wnh a sigh. S!trdra
^lrcd
thil shc conld rcrun ro school Shc hnd noppcd school thcnriddlcofsccondan
Orc as hc!parcnts had run out olnroncr lorhcrbnudr SIc asdcistircd as
sic$asdonrgscll nrsc|ool Morcolcrslrlikcdlc,nrnrg IloN.(.s thccldcn
daugnrcrnrdrlh'nil..shchad rohclpourrhcr,mih nrrihcsolnccd Sh.ortcd
al a la food lcstanratrl to. a rcar ro hclp srDplenrcnl ttc lamil iNomc Larcr.
hcrmo$craounda.iobxndrch'flrcd1oo't IrrsthcnuproSandrirohk.carc
olhcr ic sibhnss She conlinued 10 o!k ar lhc .cslaulant otr rcckcnds Shc
could supporr hcncllal school bur lhat ould nrcan lbnt rhcrc rs no onc Io hkc
Sandri onh
'ninagcd
to spcnd lcn Dnurcs rcid'ns hcr tctbook bcloe a
nrht brole our bclEcn hcr sNte.s. She pulled tl,em aran berorc lh$ hun each
o rcr .,un thcn hcrrouecd brorhcr bcsatr aihrs.s hc h.d nnnhcd hk trrill
Sandm r our ro Fcit hnn Snc did nor Inc. monrcnr of rcs 0s slr did onc
Thar n,ght. as Sandra asrurl"'s herounsesr[rother lo Ued. shc reoored
.n uncp.crcd nnor Itis hcrnci8hbotr. Snc had iusiscl trp a childcarc ccnlrc
.nd shc ofcrcd to loot aficr Sindrr's siblinss in llE dnv for frcc hilc Satrdra
rs ar {hool sandr. corld hrdl) bchcc har shc hc.rd H$ l..c ln un Shc
as so tltr,llcd rhit shc could oilt srrrc spc.chlcssll !r l&r ncighbour Whc her
parcnc lc.mr ol rhclind gcsrurc of rirncighbour. rhct cnrorcrlo drank hcr
Thal n,shr. Sandr.
'ook
oul allhf old schoolbooks and clcucd rhch Shc lcll
.slccp. drcaning olhcEcll$lling in a cl.s$oonr oncc aganr
i_!

The Rohbery
Kcn .nrblcd along thc foolp.ri on his r.r homc from school Hc rhktlcd
Iappih .s hc llonsIt ollie dclicioN lundr r.lhismorhcrn.dprep.redlorhiDr
Hc I'Jdjtrr rcaohcd drc srou.d Iuo, ulhs bloc( oflln6 ltnn rnri biusltd pnn
hnn Shovnrg Kcn Io fic sidc hcshonrcdan8rilraihimforbloctnrgthcar
K.n as pickin! hnnscil !t h.. . roung lrdt rin plsl hin. h.r
heels.lackrig huricdl] on rhe grouid Giabblng Kcn !nn. shc aslcd hinr
brcnlhlcssl il nc had scctr a nan runnirs prst For : momcnl. lien .s roo
stnnrcd lo spcak Hc jrst noddcd and poinrcd in rhc dtrcclion hcrc thc Dan
[.d run olt On h.,iine rh,r. rn.lad rrtr olI. s[ourh g aM ,],ilins hcfurfrs
'Robbcrr Robbcr " shc shourcd Kcn s up irh !.ioll Hc hld sccn rhc
robbcr.nd knc hit nc lookcd likc Hc mn aonrard ro hclp thc lad
As Kcn as n Duch laslcr runncr rhan Ihc indr. hc soon ocnook Ic!.
IIc ran in rhc dircction olrhc parl llcsoppcdto,stdroggciifhch.dsccn
rhc iobbcr Tlc.ioggcr srid Ihfl hc sa dc nran goine rluough a pu6c bcsidc
a duslbnr md takrng onl rhc rnoncr Thcn hc lad lhlorn thc Dn6c rnto lhc
dusrbn, bcforc runnina oft Kcn shonrcd aor rhc iogg.r ro crll rhc polrcc rs
hc ran in thc dncclion hcrc rhe robbcr had gone Rcachrns anothe. block
oI Ials. hc nis atrotrl lo sic up rlcn hc noliccd a piir ol brorn lonlcrs
sricknrg onr froD bchind a all Hc crcpr roards it and pccrcd .roud rhc
p,llar Thcrc hc san $c robbcr stting on a stancisc Hc ras pant,ng ind our
ot brearh Hc had trs hcad bet$ecn hE less. Hc did trot cen lino thal Ken
as nandnrs h nonr oahnn l'cn rs about lo pouccon hnn hcn hc nc.rd
rhc co mandnrg roicc of . policcman r,cn spun around and lcapr o olnrc
a) !s xo pohccnc. grdbb.d rhc robbcr rnd pinncd him don
lie. hcared a sigh olrel,eras he ar.herl rhe robberbeins led aa Heas
slad ln.r hc .s nblc ro hclp aDprchcnd rc rourcr Thc robbcr lutrcd ro glarc ir
Kcn as hc sor nno tu policc car'rhc hat ar ftc b0ck oIlGtrt ncck sood on cnd
Hc huiiicd hohc. nordanng ro rtrfl b.ck ro loo*
ihrt.t^ns ,,8

The Robber
Bcn .s rkhnrg lclckion nh hk smndmorhcr hcn hc hc.d fic
d@rbcllrins Thinlin8llarhissklcr[adcomchonrc hcmnloopcnficdoor llc
r,oz.nrlb,ror hc.lu si rnrislcd D. sLu nrg.Lhisdod purnnrg.disse,
Thc lan ric! loptrshhis r inrolhchotrscbulBcnr.!.rcdb itonr.dirrcl
slNnninsrlEdoo' Ho.erthcfratrsasloonronglorlrim Hepuslrcdopcnlhc
d@r so haId tl.r Bcn ris rltro n bichrds On lcirin8 lhc commotion. Bc.i
grandmoficr turcd 1o scc har hnd hippcncd Shc sclc.nrcd hcr hcid ofl$[cn
shc srtr fic drggcr Ii as rhc rong rihg ro do Th. robbcr drrhcd ronards h.r
ind slosh.d hcr rigl ann BcnigrMdtrrolhcr soggcrcdbacr h lrighr Bl@drs
tric(Lns lrom drc onnd. fiinmg rhc b.rgc carpd hcrc shc sr@d Fillcd rlh
angc! al h.r lhc mnn had donc ro his Bmndi,orhcr. Bcn rumpcd ronrds hcr
ro shicld [cr Hoccr. rhc robbcr otrlj laughcd and ncadcd bards $c Drsrci
Bcn conrcmplnlcd callnrg thc polcc hcn rhc robbcr ris our ol ghl
bur hc strs slulins ioo hrrd ro doantrhing IIc k,cd ro cihn lns grnndn,orhcr
ho ras sobbins hrslencall C.abbrng thc tablccloth ncartr). hc .apDcd
rt ironnd hn grandmofiert nrn ro slop lhc blccdrng Hcr licc ris palc and
shc lookcd as rhonrh shc .s ibotrr ro f.nn Bcn hcard loud rhtrds.trd rlr
sotrnd olclorh bcin! rippcd ipan comirr ton nis p.rcnh roon Tncnnc
hcnrd rl,e smashrg ol!lass Belore long. thc robb.rrmcrged lroD rhe roou
nI a b.g llar as btrlsh8 ilh altrablc ncN Dcn tricd t. slop hnn bul [c
backcd aar nhcn thc robbcr brandisncd nrc dxggcr rhat hc ras nolding Al
rh!r nlohcnl. rhc robbcr nolrccd rhc c!slal igulnc ncr ro rhc rclcision scr.
He srodc acro$ 'tltour ce'r la,rg a glanoe ar BeI and his grandmothcr.
Crabbnu n llom ils and hc lucl{cd n trndcr his am .nd illcd rorrds rhc
Bcnrnd his ghnd'norhcr couid o l dr.hhclplcssl as rhc robbcr rltcd
ca$rall) out thc lousc The did.ot dire toate ! souid as lhe) er re ified thar
rlrc robbci nlghr icxrn lnd hun rhcn! Thc knc rhcy crc
'D
tr1r[h for hi]n.
As rhc robbci altcd nonchal.nrh roards lhc lill hc rook oll his masr and
slraighrcncdhisT{Inl Ilrm rothc!tcn inurcsbclorcBctrandhNsrandnrolhcr
rcsaincd tnencomponrc dnoxted thc policc
[F,f6']i

A Tlrcft in the Computer Laboratory
Mauhc brd micd in shool carlt on Tucsdor bcc sc it sas his tun lo
prcprc lhc compulcr laboratorl ror Ge lcs$n. Ancr Bcltins $e kers lrom his
rDach.i.lE nrde |is na) ro drc l.boraru4 o. 0i. hiid floor ofdrc buildi4. Itc
had. brskcl of ryo*shccls and o ldsc containcr ofcomDrct discs thor N€rc to
bc uscd aor rhc h$on. Hisjoblrs roplr $cm in lnc hbo&lory and rumon rh.
rcacheas cohputer berore lhc slan orthe lesson Hoeler Nhe. he appoacbcd
lhc labonlo4. hc knc$ nnmedirtclt lhlt somcthins ras miss Thc labonlory
door {hich Nas usnallr sccurcl! lckcd. $ns ajfl.
Mathc$ decidcd lo ihcsriga& bclo( callingrorhclp Hc opcned tc door
gingq'. IXc roon Nas pnch{art Tumidgo.ficnain $rirch- M!l$c gasped
ir s[ock Nhcn hc sa$ rhar thc entire place iras i, dkamt. The six n$ printcrs
rvhichhad rcccnrlr bccninstollcd in tlrc labomtoa-' lrcrc m issins! S,nc olthc LCD
monnos rcrc.lso mi$in8 Fom rhcrc hc smd. Matrbcs r.alizcd rllal iro ot
tc scanncrs ar tnc brck of $c laboraro! hld also bccn laloh All rhc computcrs
had bccn unpluggcd atrd NncsNcrc dansling allortr thc floor Hcidphoncs and
spcrlcG rvcrc srrcrn cvcryhcr
Placins the rvorkshccts and cofrpacl discs $ar he ras car4 ing on the fl6r.
le rushcd tolhc phonc to infonn hisrcachor Whileraiting lor hc( he cornposcd
nis tloughls and took a dccp brcalh Hc could noI bclicrc thal such a thinS could
nrppcn in school Soon. Malihcr hcard his tcacncr's roicc don $c coridor
She tushed rto the laborabn rnh the pnncipal and fie ricerrincipal Thej
scrc dmbfoundcd al nnl shcn Lhc! sar thc mcss. Tncn lhc princip.l sprma
inro .ct ion Hc bekd our ordcrs. rc l lir g Matdrs 's
rc achcr d1ncicc-principal
rhar|odo Clancingar Mauhc. hclold hin lo lcarc lhc laboraroi.
The Coopurer lesson rhal dar- is held in dorher laboralo,r.. NeNs aboul
6e lncn sprcad likc ildnrc. Erc4 one. from thc lcachcB lo drc stude.rs. bc8m
spcculalins on rvho could horc commincd thc crimc Nhcn rhc school ras so
sccurclt locLed. Mauhc h.d horiccd lhat thc bcr lras nol brokn so n nusl
harebeen the orl olsoneone rho had access lo lheLq. He hoped thal the lhcf

A Bicycle Theft
las on nr r.r homc fron school.icrtunion 1hc trotrnd floor undcr nr
bloct ol Il s is dcscrkd As I pr$cd a ro oa bicclcs rhat h.d bccn partcd
.Laco,Nt I could nor lrclp oddc,nta itr.o.e uuld *.1rhcn' AlLhough.U
olthcm h.d prdlocks otr thcm n ronld bc c.s robrcakrhcloclithrDanol
plicrs Srncc lhcrc ri hadl anlonc rrou darccnrinlincsolth.d!).rrhicl
.ould $rc rhcoppodu.ir to latchis rimc brcaling!ll rhc locks
I as annrs for tnc Un rn.r I hcard lhc clatrsing ofmchl bcnnrd mc
nminsaronnd. InoliccdaNalsqurtrnrshcrcrhcros olbicrclcsrcE Hc[ad
. ran olpli.^ in |is h,nds Anolhci nra. r snring h .l,rs. bluc .n trcarb
M.ta droppcd hcn rhc loct ofonc ofrhc bic.lcs as biokcr krsrhcn
hc.lcd to fie bhc nn Thc sccond min cmcrgcd lronr rhc lan and lifrcd rhc
bicrclcci$h onlorhcbnckolrhcin Anolhcrbicrclclocknsbcinsbrokcnb
r[c nrer .n ,trd rcn r.lcn ro rnc un I $ahrcd b slDut ar ric ro scarc {lrtrl
.rlbnrlnoppcdmlscllitrlnrc Hidingbchindapill.r.luscdtu hobilcphonc
Thc mcn bccrn,c morc a Dorc conlldcnr ol rhc'nscncs as rnnc pnsscd
Thc ccn nancd tiuinrr ro cach olhcr not reah/iDr ho ruch noisc lh$ ncrc
nraliing m thc qurclaltcnroon. As thc thiclnhois brcakinr lhc padlGks bccnnrc
nrorc f.mili.r n iIn sI.r hc s.s donrg. hc orkcd lasc. Hc sas.lrc.dr onto fic
las bicrclc ind rcr rl[ policc crc still no$ncrc h sighr I conrcnrplakd goin!
upto rh.'n bur I(0errhat I asroDiatch lor the tostock ren rhor.senibled
sorillasfronlncbrcl Juslrlrcn apatrol.arprllcdtrphnonLoanrc.n.blocLin!
ilsp h lhc$iccs fcrrlcss.nd conndctu nunncr rnkhcd Ihcv lricd ro run
trnr thc crq,nnncddlcl stoptcd b rhrcc cquallr bnrl policc omccA
I $ glad $,l the pol'ce hid ained i'r rhe nic ol xNe hlore rh. tlnees
cscrDed Bac$rsnno rcsnados lhidaronrhcrlnccsaslrsaar.iddrarl[c
onld scc nrc Mr shonldcr sificncd rhcn otrc oathcm lutrcd b.ck io gl.ncc
,ound Hc had r tu//lcd lool on his aaco M shouldcrs droopcd and I hcrcd a
sillr ofrchclrlrcn lre (hiccs crc litrrll talcn a!

The Dishonest Employee
GcoBc placcd thc bccl poltr'. ! slicc ofchccsc. tomolcs.lcllucc and onions
bclcc. fic rro sliccs of brc.d bcforc smppins il la in a piccc oI blue .nd
)sllo papc,: Tho lE DUr the f@d ir rlE nriclo .. No $onLa I lEdoocdur
lhanhclookmolhcrnvosliccsof brcndondprcparcdtodothcsamclhins Within
ninlrcs. drcc bursers had bccn donc r.d Ccorec $flcd Ocn lo tnc clsroncrs
ailingin lhe rest u6nt.
G€or8e had bccn o*ins at thc fasl fmd rcstaurut for lhc pnsl ncc mondrs
Hc likcdlhcjob thcrcbccausc hc hadlhc libcrlr lo cnl*h.tcycrhc ranlcd arcm
tc icsrllranr lor his lubch ordinheidependire on Oc shinh. took Hc had lclmr
lo bale lii.s- buJgc^ and 6 en a^ nsh andchips Ho(re( de pay hc rcccned
Nrs lo$ It Nas hardb cnoBh to[clpoul rvit[ lhc household .xpcnsc s al home.
Hisporcnls Ncrc nolc.rninsc,oush so Ccorgc uscd his nc.src inconc to supporl
hisgnndnolhc. Hc ahtd iogn'ehisdolihg gandn.lhcr. bctrcr lilc
Oncc. Oc rcsuu@r Na. w) cro$dcd Ercn fic manlgo had ro hclp lo
sc^c lhc ctrsto$eB. As tu .aslcqcd nrnatcr zs nol arorhd to ratch o*r
xnd supc^isc his dnplolccr- Gcoryc dccidcd ro rakc rlrc chbcc ofgcuing sonc
lood home lor his srandmolhcr As he rs in thc momins shin thal day. hc endcd
ort $hen rhc Enauhnt $as stillbustling nh cuslotoc*. Going to thc ftcezcl
ncsrifll(r@kabagolr.s ncal.packdoffricsedapackcrof 6sh Hcsofrcd
$crn quictl! iblo his ba8 Hoccr hk ocions did not go mhoriccd Onc ot
his colleasues en $hat he rks doinr nnd repoaed llr toau.r to fie manager
T[c managcrslrodc loN.rds hiD and dcm dcd loclrcc(Us bas Whcn Csor8c
rcauscd. an argtrmcnl brokc oul bcnrccn thcm Gcorgc's bag .s snarchcd fron
hnn a.d$clhrccpackcrsofrary rood lcu onro thc n@r
The cusbmers in de restaurdtdid not notice Nhat $as soingon. HoNere(
rhe cnployes riincs*d tlE scumc bcrccn dE manaser.Dd Grorsc. Gcorsc
otrld h!c bccn dismisscd lhol day il hc had nor cxplaincd hk plighl lo lnc
nanager Thc Eanagercnpa$i/cd $nb Ccorgc and agrecd lo lcl him tato soh.
lood hone fo! his lrandnother ar the end of each shift Horqq. he nas on
alloNcd lo lakcnonca burgcr cach dar. Thc managcr eid hc o!ld norhcsihtc
rodismisshim orcrc. rcpon $c nall(lothc policc ifccorgc rscalghl s$.ling
again. Ccorgcs.s smtcful forln monascr'shclpand undcGlandins Hc rc$hcd
lo sorkMderalhisjob

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