A Fatal Road AccidentRonald's hcad noddcd as hc drc\c alons thc cxprc$Nar'. Hc blinkcd his

crcscontinuousl! and rDbbedlis aaccNnb his frcc hmd lokcpa\lkc Ho\c\eisLcp 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 pro\cd incfcc c. Hc \asstill 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 di\ojrn'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 billo\ing 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 tnc\r inat somcrning

When Ronald $asexficaled lorn hBcar. he shred in shocli a! fie \ rtctngeeoudhft Thc boolof hiscarNas snaslcd.Thc\rindossandlhc trindscrecnof6c o$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 o\er him LaterRonaldlearntlhal$eotherdrnerhaddicd on thc spor He sas Built-riddcn. (no\rnlg &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 dri\e Nhen he \as leeling sleepj

l"aatosqtuqaat 1,

The FloodThcclondlcssd.\ \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 hcn\il\ on rlt s,ound pclrnrs.sJnNr sr'do\: d buuNnt!ollroofioDs'lhc\nrdnas[oNlinsandthctrccs\cF$rarnrsso[mdthart[c\loo*cd lilcfic\ scrc abotrr ro torplc!l an\ toomc.r

Pcdcsrd.ns aid 'oornK

\crc caushr bl nrpisc No one c\pccred lhc

\en$crrochntrscsonrddcnlr Thoscon rc roads ticd lo ru sb indoon lo sifd\Horvc\cr no$ 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.nhkncc-dccp buL bt thc nc\r 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 lca\c llc housc as rhc\ \crc .lraid olbcnrg s\cpr arr) b) rhc llo$ing \.rcr or slcppirg untno\nrlh nro,n unsccn

holc AnranrlD\cntuicdonrnadcdindrc\.rcrrndncppcdinloadnir Hcrcnlundc^\alcrimmcdialcll andalnostdro\ncd Bicrcbsnoabditrthc\ratcrThcrc\as littcr c\c^ \ 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 rns\antcd to sla\

nrdooG l hosc \no s.\cd on lo\cr sround scrc \osc of rlin n$c shosc

hotrs.s\cronnilhcrlround 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 $c dinr Mrc. oblnious b ficlniioNcdbro\soadrcadulKindrhcscriousn$solrlrs,luarioi Thc) oali/cdrhcortenrolthcdaragsonl\ \henthclloundrhento\sda'naged h\asimDossiblelorthcsc pcoplc loconrnnrc In ing in theirhoNcs

-l[c nood canscd hnndrcds to bccomc nomclcss lhc go\cflrmcnr pul rhcD

ii rh. school hall olr. abr doncd sohool bullding Th.rc \!s no\h$c ch.lorrlcnrolnc Thclloodhadruntdlhenl\ct olcmiglr.(ho) los(Icnlonrcsa d

bclongnrgs Asrhc llood\ircisrqccdcdorcirhcrccts. trant \crqso.nbncl !rrhcn hoilcs.

^nnmagnr! lor rnr nchsrhfl could b. s.h agcd

rfit i_!

The Bicycle RideFtuff\ \[nccbudsllo.tdacrosficsl] Thc Nn pcckcd o lronr bchnrd

rhc r.sondhgdo\niunrhcriShr! rounrolsunlighronrhcbrcc/.\ dr\ Irnloclcdr 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

Ic\clcd.ar.lull\ lfossrhcioad roficprr(rhcad Th.rc\.srsna(crinsol pcoplc lhcrc Somcollhcnrrcrc lccdirg thc 6slr infic pond. somc \creplar s bnll itrd olhc6 \crc lilc mc qclnrg I crclcd on lhc bicrclc pi and

bcgan m) ridc onnd tu p.rl lr \as c\hilar.ting ro lccl ihc brcc?. igii,rr hrarc. 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 tr\oc)clish coming to\ards mc. a.|osgct

\nson rcl@rpalhonm\ lcfi aManorhcrcrcldrisbcnndmc Ibcginroprcktrp 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 oiIlhc handlcbits and co\crcd nrr lacc \ilh nr\ hnnds Thnl $as a hugc nBta*cM\ liictclc s\cncd utrcontollabl\ bsirds ,c ri!hr Thc c\cliss lricd ro.roidnrc but rhc\ could not Thcn bic\cles 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 olcontolindtopplcdncarthccdgcof rhcpond. Fonunarcl) forh.. rhcpond\8shlllo\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

L\ccpraoramiddlc-agcd\oman nooncckccrDcroDr aidast[cr\crcbus lcndi.s 1o a hrdc girl\rhosc aoot \rs nrjucd \hcn n\ b,6clc rin o\cr hcr

Tl,eeldcrh fran\ho\8c)clngbehindnc\asaho sl,ghrlt ntiuredasd,ct\ocrclisls 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 \.lkcdshccrishh otrr olrhc \rrrf and hndicdh \q lofi\ad 1o olld tur rlssranc. is\cllrsnpolo:li^ lor\hnl I lad donc

n

I Natched in horor as the huee onnge flan€s engulled $e house h rvas

Lhc 9 pm .c\s and lhc rcponcr al thc scc.c ras rcporlins o'r . bungalos fialhad gonc !p n, flaNcs. Somconc hadaccid.utallr isritcd a pilcoftrcNspapc6.nd lhc nrc had sprcad Nildl_\'. As I N chcd thc 6rc6snlcrs lush fonrard lodousc 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 $clomih 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 \nscohple$ pandemonium E\qrone 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'ltrmingaround. 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'sclolhcs rvcrc on firc and hc Nas sccn ollingarouM dcspcratlr on lhc grass lopuronl 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$eredand 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 \risunlarmed cxccpt lor mv lraclurcd 6n3cB

Turniog back lo the ne\s. I Nas relie\ed 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 EscatatorMrs Bcnson slonccd .l lhc sisn nc\t to hcms drc slcppcd onto $c cscaloror

rith bcr LnEc-ycaFold son. Micbacl. Shc had scen lhc sisn 'n.n!

$nes Ildsscribed 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.rorFcar coumcd thron8h Mrs Bcnson !s shc sr\r 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 plirA 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\.telhc condnion ofhis Iool Lcaning againsl his nolhdaod grabbing her sknlin lrighr. Michacl shimpcicd sofib BI ttu timc nclp riiircd- a cro\d had

galhcrcd.roundfiem Som.onc g.rcMichaclas\ccttodklrac.himlromthcpai .tuloolia$hilebelolelherepairmen\errble!odislodgeMichael sfoolfrom thc sap as part of thc cscalalor had ro bc hkcn ap,rt. Aldoush his footsas nnalt frcc. Michacl conld nohvalk. Thc p.rancdics bandagcd his footquic(ly. Hc Nns placcd on a slictchfia.d iushed lo lhc hospnal inmcdiahly.

As the mnd slo$\ dnpersed. e\e.rone \ras clearly shaken by rhalImppcncd There \rcrc rvhispcr of no\ crclcss lhc mods \r0s. Oorcm rcmindcd

lhcn o\ . childrcn to bc cxr6 carcful on rnc cscolaio. Anollrcr fanil! rv0s scnhcading lo\urds tho liat inslcad oatc c$alabr E\.Oonc hopcd lhat Michacl

R

A Diver's ExperienceM.nha pul on hcr diri.B snil and lincd $c hca\r oxr8cn tank omo hcr

back Wilh IEr sos8los in IEd. shc sood al tlE dN( \r.ilins for lhc ri8hlnomcntbdnr ntro rcsdcr SlE usurl\ di\sd nidr hcl friudsbur no onc sas.ble lo

.ccomDoN hcr lhrt d.r'. Bcinf; c\Tcricnccd 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 \ralcrrvilhoul !N ncsihlio.. Shc stoppcd Nhcn shc soN lhc \idc \!ricl] olcoml\hicn clne in an asbnishinBl\ rast om! of cololis Thc coral look.d liteclusles olcolourful stones Suddcnl)- so,ne hugc ied. blue rnd gre.n coral

caus[l Manla's .rlcnlion Shc Ncnrnenrcrand rusaboul lo lalic a piclurc ofit\hcnsomclhnrsdriiinsncau crughlhcrcrc. ItNasastinsrar'l Marlhaihoan 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 Shejlsrhad lo talc a picturc ofthc bcaurifrl coral.

Ma ha \8 abonr to raisd hd caocr, \hcn rhc sring.ar no\cd toNrrds

hcr so quickl' that she \as unablc to dodgc in limc. Its barb rvcnt up andpierced 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 c\crucialine 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 hcrscllup\rrds 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.bo\i.g shc could nor remain in thn posilion tor lotrs. Martha puu€d [eBcrtoscthcrand nsi.s hc!orhcr lcc. shc mana{cd lo hca\c 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 o\erconeUr paib trl had sl&rcd again Sh. n as inncdiarcl) rushcd lo lhc ncacst hospiul.

Thc doclor g!\c Manha a lc\r 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 RideS 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 Nrsscar.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 ofhi. Nih. Achill ran do\. nis spine rs be ifiagined thc plane ciashing i.to lhcscJ. He hunrcd ro I'is scdr dodsnrspcople\hosc'eJhorFin!torctu,nrolhcirs. 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 mo\ing abour in fic olcrhcld coopanmc,tsThc 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 sle\adsner.rvallingdo*olhcanbs.icassunngthepassengcrsandclrckiogfiarc\tRone 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 tuinutes\ent 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\ c\r( . \ hilc latcr. lnc turbnlcncc (as gorr. Thc pLnc sasle\cllcd 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 fellhas 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 \asdcscrtcd.s thc nsnal croNd of boisrcrous childrcn \ronld ha\r 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 do\n 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 squllednc\t 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 mo\chcfl rnd sou.d friehrcncd $c 6sh a.d rhcr dncd bacl !ndc^\arc.HoNc\c. thc hil ofn 6sh $ripcd hard agarnst lhc boat.

Jrsminc dd Jacttcllcdoutrs rhcvNarchcdhclplcssh \hcnthcboar nippcd

onrlssidc.Withthcboalinlhalposilion.it\asimpossrbletono\cit Ilrasahooul of rcach. lasnirc scarchcd thc gras! patch around hsr for a lotrs n\it 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 ftathis 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 bMtAncrrnucn 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 StationMr Tallmon \!ncd aor thc lin at lhc lrair st ion Bcins o ftoil and cldcrly

no. he hrd dccided 1o a\oid laking thc a.sl-no\ingescalato4. Thc lirt 6oli hinro rlr. sccond oooi. \licre dr pLfo"ns \rq. Slturdingjus( D.)ond dE )cllonlinc- Mr Tallnan N!i$d paricntlr for Uc lr in lo atrirc. A ac\r minucs larc( tnc

displat unit sho$ cd $ar a rain $o!ld bc afti\ing in, minltc. Hc lool sctlialstcps fonurd. Ltulc did hc linory thar lhosc stcps \ould bc thc mosr falal orcs hc

Hc colld scc dc train coning ro\rards $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 hinsursing 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&Clingfrom 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 lElay lhcrc morionlcss. On'ing lim i roush shakc. fic ladr,\'cllcd lnal a lmin Nlsapprdchins. Mr Tallhan stared al her blanklj al lint When hc finallr canc loIisscnses, thc trai. Ms aasl0pproacnirs. Thc ladr lricd.g.in topuu nim oulotlhc srt bur could not To rloid gcuing hcaclt injurcd in rhc proccss ofhclpingsorconc. shc hadnochoicc but tojunp bac\ so thal shc \ould nolbc hnb thc

kain MrTaunan \as nol as lonunate. E\en 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 disco\ered lhat r leN kenage bors had been

ruMin8.lons tbc phtrorm ar llal tine T\ro ollhcm had pnshcd MrTallmmasidc as hc N.s in lncn Na!. Whcn ncNs ofMrTallnant dcrlh \'.s publishcd

in rhc papcis- lh. bols inrol\cd \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 DriverThc 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 o\c 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 irdMr 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'.uiLthc busslo, had ro onlhcad lo gcronrhc bus As rhq bordcd. rl'$ Slii.dalhim angih Onc oflhcm c\en islicd him iinc n.d a drnnrg liccncc Mr Rnenturcd rcd \rilh cnbarissncnr burlc mc.clr smilcd apologclicnlh al lhcnr Thc

btrscominucd tono\c.icrlil\ ,long tu lrnighr road mucn ro thc ifinaionolthcpasscngc( Jusr rlrcn. rl[ bnsscrccclrcd 1oahah Md sliddcd to $c lcll

Thc pissctrgc6 Lozc. Atr accidcnt had happcncd Thc\ hcird a cr lorhclpand 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 Ho\ucr.Mr Rnc6 \is rn a dazc E\cnlualh. onc pisscngcr clirbcd np to \hcrcMrRncns.rand rcachcdo\o tolrcsabntronroopcn11[doors wn.rc\qoncsa\ sunncd thcm Al.d\ $rs tncclimotr ftcroad. sobbnrrand cnnrr aornclp

She kepl sa\i.g M) babt ! o\er and o\er aga,n Pan ollhc pram \ns lodged

undcr rnc iom \hcel oalhc bus A ac\ pcoplc rudrcd to hclp lrcr btrl rhc\ corldnor nro\c rl[ pmm Somconc shotrtd.r Nlr Rncrslo rc\crsc bur hc could onlrshr. \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 acncould 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 SchoolSuc 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 nhrdd slr l[d N.t lEd dr ni8ln b.loie Alodrg gill lnd t'ccn ruo o\u b] ,ctu ordlhcd .rhrddrncnotr\ilhontlcndi.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 folb\ed br a scr€rn.St rdins o. tiplocs. Sue tried to pcs o\q 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 Pucnts\ouldpal d.rc roNair aor$cnchildrcnSue Nas nlhd Ni$ a sudden $.sc ordread !s she rccllled$c nlm taGhc had

\dtclrd fic.ight bcforc. Pushing lcrNay lo thc tonl oflhe cro\d. she sloppcd

abrupl\ Nhcn shc noriccd a sludcnt lyins on lhc srcund Acarhad 6cBcdoulofa 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 o\cr fic gnli aool. Thca $as

blood foining arcund hcr injured fool A shall crolvd had salhc,.d amund hcrSonconc 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 arri\3d fiBt Thclchecked 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 mbulanccA3 ihc 8irl \$s \ hhtod a\!) lo hospital. tlE policc rnn cd md bcgrn qucslioning

lhe dri\tr rvho n6 responsible for $e rccident. Ther aho inten ieNed se\tralpasscBbr As thc car park *as cro\rded tbcn. mo.y pcoplc had sibcsscd dE

A bus approachcd rhc bus stop and Suc bodded it Thc accidcnt had iaughl

hera\aluablelesson 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 mo\ins in md oul oftc pdring spaccs. Suc 6opcd thal $c g \o!ld bc all righl Sho sas tslad thal

Ue.ccident\as nol as hortllc or uagic as the one she had n athed oo lhe 6lnr.

An Accident at SeaTcrll 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.lripplu: Axncd\ilhrLook..nshn,s,odind.sn[llcolhpsiblcnool.Ts,r \JsprcD.rcd forarcla\insdar $hcn c\.^tnrs nas rc.dr. hc ld thc bod driar our ro

sca Alrcrpuninsrhcblil on hk nshins rod. hc sclrlcddo\no. rhc nool r h hsbook Il \as qucr c\ccpr 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 c\cs a litlc. Tci4 s,tuinrcd itrro $c drsrancc Horc\cr.hc did not scc ,ntlhi,rg e\.crl rhc sutr s brighl r.t s glisrcnirg oll thc n crCoc(rn3 hG ncad 1o rhe sidc. hc lislctrcd inrcmh igiin lor rhc sonnd olanrolor bnr thcrc ras nothrng Thrnknrg rhat hc had nishcard. Tc6 shnr hN

c)cs and $cnr bacl to slc.pBclorc long. h.lr.rd rc sound oldr

'noror rgrin Snring upiighl. Tcrq

pccrcdiNo$cditincc Hc\rondcrcdilhEcrcs\rcrcplaringlncksonhim Wisrhcrc a shrdo\ in th. dsran.c ) Blinknrs I;! c\cs 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.doalhc spccdboar llo\c\cr n$.s iNposiblc Crouchnrg nr a corncr Tcr^ sarcd

hotrificd as lhe spe.dboar canre ncarcr a.d nears He co\e.cd hi lacc \nlr h6hands.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 rclic\cd b bc

.hc Thc Dcrson \ho nrs nr thc spccdbo.l.polosizcd ro't6 lor rhc.ccidcnrHc ollocd 1o Dar ioi all rhc hosDital .\pcnscs

A Deadly Virus"Ah . choo! rent Clendafor$e lourth lime. Herheadnasspionms. She

nad o hish lc\ermd nd bodr s.sachins.ll o\c. Durin3 rhc holidals. sbc bad

spcnt a pciod oftinN al hcr.unas fan o\!6cas.lrclpirs hcrout \rithdrcalnnalsrhcrc 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 whcntct 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 nnnedinklyspolc lo Glonda lo 6nd out \hom shc had.ohc inro coblacr Nnh Thct hld lolalic 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 \oreprolccx\ 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 impro\cdand shcsas,blclositupbJ hcBclt Shccould$cnasli fo. her fa\ourne frasazines lo read. Hercondnion,hpro\ed darlr dd she Nas

finallr ablc lo Nall abour in lhc roon. Ha\ing passcd rhc incubation pcriod. hcr

porcnrs\crcauo$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 lohospilal Thc nuBcs.nd doctors shook hcr h ds. fiis dnc \ idrour t[c protccln c

gcai. Tho c\p.iichcc 6adnadcGlcnda rcali,! ho\\ aragilc liac Nas Thc gnl nhousually p.nied until $e snall hours of the nomi.g and lored to eat fiied looddccid.d torile b€krc,rcoahcrhc.llh fr.m rhen on

fhe Drunk Bus DriverMr 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 ldfa 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] cofecshop Hcsolcadcd.\rar.dinkingonccmofbccr lcrlnothcrNhilcloaslinglohis frhnds onc b) onc By Lhc dm. hc N.s donc. his aacc lras lrshcd and h. colldhardly \ra1k srright Hc \r as supposcd lo Co ro rrort ,ter Ual Instcld of ulingIc.\ c. [c dccided to go ahead and drirc lhc bus. His collcagucs \cE againsl hingonrs(oNorkbulhcjustbrushcdthc asidcandslasscrcdor.sayinsthalhcrvasnor 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 ifhc $asall nghl Although hervas fcelins qucasy andErd{. hc insistcd thathcras6.e. Nolicinghn n*tud checlis dd thc slur in hn roicc $hen hc spolie. onc ofdr 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 thro\nlorNord 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 c\cn had to aacc

nunerous la\suns lion his passengers. Hs lile changed o\?mighr all becau$ of

An Accident in the Car ParkBcn 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 o\crrle rop ol drc cai tud s.\ rl[r tlD 1o&l \as clcar. lr loot€d salc cnough.

Ho\rcrcr bc IncN tbnl hn nolhcr rvould ncrcr lct him Nalk lo thc clas on

hi.o\h Bc.dingdo$n and lookingtiough $c glrss$indo$. hc s!{ Oathisnoder Nas still i.lhe dii\ei 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 ro\rards 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\ ofparkcd 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 inbtc air bcfor. landine on tc bonnct ol Uc cd Thcn shc rlmbhd roh\&d udla) molionlcssin lronloflhcca.BcnN6akcad nmninglorvadshcrrvhcnthcdn\ cr cncrAcd fron thc cd

A lcclingofdEad courscd throush Bcn sbodr $hcnhc satr blood lominga pool belon hn molhcas head The dri\rr Nas otr his knecs. shakins hcr i. his

ancnpt to ousc hc. Ho\rcrcr shc rcmanrcd ucsponsn'c A p.$obt callcd foran ambul.ncc Bcn slmd a ac\r mclrcs lron his nothcr his crcs \ idcncd in lcar

as hestaredather She did nor e\€n l6k like she Nas brealhing.-Whatna\c Idoncl' hemutlcEd.'lllhadnorbccnsonnpoticn!sncNould

nor hayc run aftcr mc Nothing Nould harc happcncd " Hc simd rncrc. cluslkinghinsclf unil lhc paohcdics arncd. TNo oa thcn benr o\o his mo$6 and

e\anined 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$c\cr thcrc Nas no$ing hc could do. Hc colld ohl) p6r thal his no$cr

A Bicycte AccidentBmndon sai on lhc noo. licling his lcss rtrd slanpirs his lccl umil hk

c\.sp.r.rcdNoftcrfi..llr allo\\cdhinrlosoLodcnarlcr\nhhc.'You runsnnill\h1lcInrc\.1,:rDu\o tr ders{.nd' :lN s.id lin,h

Hc noddcd solcmnlr Hc Nas plcascd \nh himscltAsrnr sprcad acros hislaccns

soonashis ilotrt'm.da\a\ Unlilc bcfoic. BDndon \as \rnins c\p.ciMrl\arlhe d@rbr thcl, e his toothcr\!srcadr o lca\e

Bmndon ras on his bcsl bcha\ionr Al fic gronnd loor of den blocl orfla6.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 crclnsacoss 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 olBrandonif.\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'smorhrs\cncd ro rl,c lcn ro

a\oid anorhcr oncomnrs c\clist 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 llo\c\cr tricn sic s0$

him dnnsl'ng b\ thc s e. she scrcamcd ,n lrishl and nmcdialel) stopped rhe

bic\cle Jtrmpnrsof rc hicrclc. shc smbbcd hnn {nh bo$.mrs Inhcrha c.

sltlndlorgotcn$.rdrh.dstoppcdnrdrcmiddlcolrhcrc.d ljcrotrlr conccn\as Bondon A dn\cr froh rlr oppo$$ dnc.rion \!s bus\ .h!(,ng \nh hapassenger and did nor nor(€ Bnndon and hn norh.. r $e toiddle orrhc /cbra

crcssils ulil nsas loo lalc

Acro\doacniousD.ssc6br.ndsonrc\nncscsgadcrcd.llhcscctrc'lhcdi1\cr lnd rhc lasscnscr olOc.ar slood h. unharmcd bnr d!?.d Thc bodiqt ol, litLle bo\ aid hb orhcr la\ od lhe ro!d. co\ercd \1rlr ! \h1re clorh E\etonccould onlt sa) lD\ unlbnunarc rh. tuorhcirndchild \.rq

An Accident at the Void DeckThe 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 aLc\c4onc shoraurcd p.sl. HoNc\cr 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 ha\c a ganc noNl thc rrllcst bor. Pa[ suggcstcd. Thc

othcr l$o noddcd in ogrccmcnl. Thcy placed lhcn bass !l onc cnd oathc sroundnoor. positioning thcn lo m.ke a nakcs[in soalpost.

Thc gme srancdoutslo\lr al n6l Aftcr a \ hilc. Uey Nere lic(ing Ue ballso 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$ncfmons foorball pla:cadid. hc bactcd np rd liclcd thc hall as hldashccould Itne\ past$esoalpo*hn$e\allandspuntonsight Thenrt\rasour 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 s\ourbrlll"snc.skcd Tncbo\sshrmlbac(inrcar"Loo(atshor

your ball did to nr babr! she coninued )elling Theres a huge lu ponhisforchcad 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 rasinconsidcralcand scl6shof fic bolstopla] althc sound floor\rnnouctuinslordl onc s safctt St!. agrc.d lo lcltcnattcrresl if$c boys conrinu.dtcirgancala 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 aoncr\cct bicat. Belon lrr. dr \a\ss nr lhc scr crrshcd.butrr nuisilr. Slrs lEdjNr pnsscd rhc midpointoflhc bridsc $hcn s[c hcflrd 0 lond cmckins sound rh.tsoundcd lil,c, do,en gun.ho$bcing 6rcd aollo\cd 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. $rcn nr8 to a\oiddcod$clrsin aronlof hcr Shccominr.d ao lid until shcthcn she Nrssol.Br dcinc sle sroppedalrh. side oa$eroad.$(c\aschaosaroundher Gcringoul 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 brcrthad 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.soccumd Ercnsphshmcanlfialonc\chiclchadLllcnintotfu sca ErcOoncgotonlol{hcnvchicl* Mant Ncrc clurhingon Lo ftcn childrcn ri8tulr Pcrincd.

thepeoptehallDnhalfcra\rleda\ra) lromfieircas.Mndft lanloNadlohelpa ladr \vho\rasc ,tiDsa bab\ and drassi.s a toddlc!\rilh hcr

Tncrc \as contusion crcry\rncrc 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.lea\r! then

bclonsings bcnind. Miri.n aound lrcxelfBaspins lor an.s sk steed al thc $cnebcforc 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 Bctlosolool on li'ne. Thal Nas half lnc usual lnnc dEr hc lonnallr l@t. Hc had Nchoicc bul lo on lo school.

AsJoshua\!sapprcachins lhcsch@l. hc sa$ lbat lhc prcfccls nalioncdinfronl 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 hnla\ynv acrcss

lhc rod rvhen dre nrcesa.{ blains ofa hom c.uscd nin lo stop in lis tncks He

umcdarolnd Coniiednccrlr himna3arcdsroas.arta\cllihgatruUspccd!Joshua\as so slumcd that h. srood oolcd to Ihc spot. Alam bclls rvcrc going orin 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 linc\r i[. hc had landcd \ilh a

lhunrp on lhe ground. fac€ do\n a le\ mcrres from rvheE hc had stood He

blinkd nis ctcs and lricd to noyc but could nor }lc could fccl a scl liqnidooTing onr fron lhc iop othk hc.d and Norc around his.cck Drihing inandoul ol consciousness. he sa\ a blur picture ol a *o\d of people galhering

aronnd hin and a nurtour of\orccs asliine hnn ifhc $as all ight Thc ncxldring 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 ah\ars \okc up tcn mnutcsc.rlicrrlnn hisusnl rincs. rh,r kcN.uld nc\crhcl.rc l' rschool

A Falln\cnrr-onc-rc.FoldAni hrdjnstna cdsork.r$cSmnhhouscnold Il

\ash.rnrslj.boulsidclrcrcounrn.lidoncu Thcrcsponsibilrrr oasupponlnsl,(' 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 $ ah\rrs 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 ga\c spccific insftcrions forAni ro clcM onlr {1[ iNidc ollhc \indotrs M6 Sonh Mmcd hcr abour rc

datrecn oaclc,nine nr ou$id. ollh. \indons c\ctr rlrough nrc\ \.rc s^ ingon

thc drnd lloor AlthoughAnrnoddcd hcrhead obcdrcnth. shc \asalrcad\ plannnu

toclcin Ihe onbidc oalhc rndo\s Otrcc Ms Smnh nad bn. Ani nllcd a sn.llpail 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 \nrdo\s sic giippcd

onc ollhc rindo\s and sleppcd onlo thc naro\ lcdgc oulsdcAnrlookcddorn She\isafi aidothciglrls E\cnalonh lhrccnorcrshrgh.

shc\asnoiuscdroitat.ll. IhlLingadccplrca$.shcconcctrratcdonclcatrn,grlr\rndo\s.Attnr.^nistrllhadonclcsnEde. Ho\c\c. trlen shccouldnolonscrrcacn lnc o rcr sidc oaft \nrdotr. shc pl.ccd loft lcgs otr rlE lcdsc Prcsinr.g.nxra\ndo\ sithrnopcnprl,n.Aninrtbcdnr$nrdo\ tilororslr hsrsahot 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 \Icnhcr natrd slid do\n fic \rindo\: Shc uicd to srrb lDId oafic grillcs lo srcadr

hc(cllbur il\as roo lllc Hcr s.rcanr cchocd rlnoughoul lhe cnxr. csrarc as hcr

bo<l} lell opdl\ lo\ards 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 ncdicrlcxDcnscs. 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*swayJoson 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 sladdd [. lid r&.gcd b ca(h rli. Lst trus [onN. As ir nis a s(dd4 nidn. dEp.sscnscs on bodd lbc bus \ crc packcd likc sardincs Thc bus h.djnsl bn thc

c\pioss(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 s\rcnc lhc bus onl of ils pndr

Ho$c\crtccdcidhcdinrorhebN. aorcineiolI iheroad Thcimp.ctcalscd[E bus lo crasb righr inlo a Bilihg rvhorc a rar inc \as. Thc bus *enl neri Uccdsc of lhe clif and pan of n lurchcd fonrard. T[e front half of thc bus dansled

in ,nidan abo\c . 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 c\cnonc 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.do\s bnl cach rimc rhcy

nil. Lnc bns shook md lurcficd to\ ads $c ra\ inc S@n. no ohc dared Lo go ncelhe bus. When one olfie passenge$ 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 rcrelhc 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 WrongKdjumpcd up fron lhc bcnch lhc minutc hc sN Mr Caftr .ppro,chin8

Rushi.s up to hin. Kcn srippcd bisarm nrml! ad Ercolcd[im MrCdtcrsmiLdcherlull) 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 rcno6cfor tne incidenl &al had happened a year ago

Kcn had bccn plalin8 baslielb.ll rvit[ lis frietrd. Chrnbp[c. Hc ryNdribbling llr ball on thc naooN pa\cmcnt to thc bns slop $hcn hc rcalizcd lhal

, nd sas blockirg his \at Tnc nrn $as readihg a book He sholicd ar $emd rogivc \!) bul he onlr shumed a li(c to Ue side. Ken rrs tare He tried

to a\oid 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 $crcma( 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.otknorvabontbraillcmdhcftou8hlLn etoncshocouldrc.dcouldnolpossiblybe \ isually inpaired The ftan NhoD he had shored aside \as quile elderll atrd

hc fcll in e a\(sard posilion. fracluring hk lcs. Hc trc\c ccorcred lrom lhc

lall Ko fcli gxill \hcnaprsscrb! chasliscdhnn fo! bcing inconsidcratc AIcrthar 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 $o6ecnthc 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 VictimsAnkdngthc hard soi l\ ilh his b.rc hands. Hc\zsnormakinsmnchpro8rcss

as hn fingers \cre smau .nd bc $as roo \cak to dis hard cnoush Ncarb]. hispdrors turd sblings $ crc .lso doills r]t sare $ irhour u) nccuss uirh.i. Aris adhisfomilr \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 $ci.depined or proper food ercepl \rhal ther could sahage lron thenhousebefoielhc €ethquakc Supplics. ho$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 shniingof a helicoplcr N.s hedd in lhc dist ce. Anis' fani\. toselhcr rilh thc otlcryiuascs. mn lo aclcarinsahcad. Th{ lcrc shouling.nd Navins dcspcralclv inOc an. noping fiat $c hclicopter nad bccn scnt lo hch fi.n ourof$cnniseryThcn \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 Nircdit 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 lo\rcrcd slo\rlv onto thc sround Thc rillagcrs scrarrUlcd

lorMrds lhc packagc- somc falling in drcn c.gcncs lo rcach it A rcscuc \ro*cron th. hclicoprf cut thc ropc and lhc ncning lcll a!rn- rc\.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 lhendialcd to lhc pilolandlhosc on board lhc hclicoptc. Thcrill.scrs saN thcm \€yc

There Nas e\ciled chatEr mong $c rillrgeh as the \illage head ga\e oultc lood dd drnlks oquall) lo.\ cr.vonc Thcr rycre glad oafic sompaos ncaltct 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 lohclD ficm Ebuild t[€n \iu.se

My Birthday CelebrationUnlikc 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 arrplacc 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$amblcd.ggs and tsulpcd do\i glr$.sofomig.juicc B\ dErincl\asdonc.I Nas so full that I OouShlh).iea.s rrould burst I *!s giggling lite a liul. gtl!str€ 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 bro\sc 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$ciNonld onl] lcl hc bu)- onc ir.to I could nol bclicrc h) ca6 \rhcn shc lold hctharIcouldpictlhtcncms.B\ rhcrimc\tlctrrhcstorc-IN,scaqingrhulklbag ol $rec dillcrent tor s

M) parcnts l@t he lo a larse belishop next I spe a long tine bro\rstu!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 gr\c the placc a s!lishloot. I sr2Ed al $e scften wheE lhe ines oflhe sho\s \ere flashed. Ther\rcrc manr dircrcmsho\sro 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 c\tr nad. Alfiough I did

nol h.\c a c.kc or mr lricnds lo cclcbrat il \ilh mc.I \'0s ablc to do rlh c\q I

\.nlcd lhal dar'. Bt rhc tinc lhcdal cndcd- I \asabsohtclt o\hausrcd Ho{c\.r.I could nol stop shiling rron ear lo ea. Thatnight.l fell asleep su(ounded by aU

A New Year PaftyS dra slid thc gliuc^ pininrohcr [.njLNl.boychcrc Flickinsbaclhcr

trc\h-culcd h.il shc salcd rt hcrsell rhc mnror lor fic l.sl lnnc S[c could

rurUclrc\chu\ Dtr.I.t,p(o1hcbcrtr(r srlunnddrlrcbonr(rucutrLlLin:foxnhcr Shc \ras Eonrs aor ncr firsr Nc\r Ycr pafl\ Ir\.s oryanizcd b\ hcr liihcasco,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 allhc cntancc offic horcl Therc $crc min\ \cll'drcsscd pcoplc milbrs lroundftc horcllobbr Th.\ grccrcd hc!Dircnh.ndcoNncnlcd on ho\r bc.nlifulSandralookcd S,ndrrblusncd Sh.\.sllal\hcnshcsr\ olhcr.hildr.nhcragc B.lorcloDg. c\cfonc \as askcd to pioccd ro rhc billiootu Thc huge Dcr.l dooa ol$c ballroo ncrc alrcadr opctrcd. r$calinga dnnh hr placc lhal sasdccoritcdrn 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] \rsrhccounrdo\n Ir rncd bn scconds bclorc

nrdnrsht Sandra rctuned to ho pnrcnts sidc and \as srcn a panr poppcr.

Nrtrrbc6\cr llishcdotr a hurcscrccn r lrotrl ollhch ns thcco\rd ch.trlcd rhe

nunrbcB roscthcr l hcn voiccs bccamc lotrdcr.nd loudcr rcachtusaftctr7.r\hcntr $.s midnishr Pa(\ poppcrs $crc rclcascd and lcrc \crc nugs and snous orHapp\ Ne\ Year . Sandra s pnrcnc si\e 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! Ho\e\eLonccsltrcachcd homc firiguco\crcamchcr Shcdidnorc\och.trsconiofhcrclorhcs Shc lcll intoadccpsl.ct rhc hurc hcrh.ad 1o!chcd thc pilloN

The Dishonest BoyThcrc 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 ollof hr serr'n nrehr V's k@rr \rs lra'rng rr h'a r nh, qe'n c\prer on on

hcr facc. Just as Jcrcny approachcd [cr. slc brokc inlo a $idc snile. Bcdningrrilh dclighl. shc announccd lo lhc class lh rcrcmr hld scorcd fnll nurks lor thc

leicmr_ could.ot bclie\c 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 crcitcdOintnrgabodnnallt osniheaeamc@nsolclitchisotnorclassnarcs Ho\c\c(hc thougtl ir o\ cr a.d dccidcd ro pay !(cmion as hc did ror \ ut to gcl into tonblcNilh 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 ns\rcr \ 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 mortsand 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 sho\rcd his morhs his M.rhcmalicspapeAspio6nod. 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] ficgoncs Hc dccidcd nol to say anrdrins. Tnot night. Jcrcmt spcnr thc cmirc nighrplating 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 ddhoy 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 Da\id \rallcdhcsitdnrlt lo\ards 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 hc\ould bumpinrohnn\Icnc\crhclcischooll'lc Dlridhad.iL6r mncd ,round rhc cornr \rhcn hc .oriccd lo hn dis'na\ d.r Ron \aslcrnitr;.'.L.rl'r.'s.'ihr rh..,.hool sJt .r.uitr; rn hi.d'rc-rion

For i momcni. Da\id stood lhcrc tror turosing nh.l todo Thercsisisni*on Ron s hcc as Ic n@dc o\irds Da\id On sccirg Ron.oning ro\ards hnn.

Dr\id 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 o\cr him Ashncr\cnl do\tr hE spinc and hc lrmcd palc Rotr rcichcd ouland srabbcd Dr\id!.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 upirrrcsslancc\hcn Rotr suddcnlr pnllcdhrs\allcloul fto hnpockd Thcnnithoul.non,cr\ord. Rotr r.n oaf.

Da\id 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.Da\rdsi\ 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 hcsa\cRo.oncNorcLictbcaorc

As Da\id \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\ Dr\id approachins him Da\id had nl\ars becn loo.lr.id lo

rcll on Ron so pcrlrps $c nEidcnr rhar rN h.ppcncd to him \.s fic bcs \rnr lolc.ch Ron a lcsson Darid \ondcrcd ilRo. \ouldslopbull)ingh'tr ahf\halthcolhcrbulll had donc ro hiN.

!

The lmpatient Taxi DriverMrWilliaoslapped 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 ha\l \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 bcl\rccn lhc c.u iD thc l.ncne\l lo his. Acceleraing. ne $\ e^ed his car to lhe lefi.

T,yrcs scrcccbcd as Oc drnci bchind slcppcd on his bral,cs to aroidMrWiUirms-car Ho{crcr.MrWilliamsprctcndcdnotlohcnrn.Allhc\rantcdlo do sas to rcach his dcstnrlion as soon rs hc could so lhat hc could fctchnoro pa$enge.s a.d carn moic non.r His lari Nas olmosr peeendicular torhc rci oarhc lramc a.d h. Nas making lhc alrcady congcsrcd c\prc$*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€rgap in fic uamc. H. $rcn cd bact lo $c llnc hc $as on clrlicr cansi.g ttcca6 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 hinselffron hntnr the car in fronl By ficn. his pascngq had bcenjolted &om hisslccp Hc ad\iscd Mr WiUiams to sloN doNn bnr bis.dyicc Ncnt nnhccdcd

Tbc ridc bccamc bumpicr r.d norc dangcrous as Mr Willians .hcmatcdbehreen acceleralins and lrrakins. He also s\e ed in and oul ol the lanes

\hcnc\cr 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 $rcNingro his lcl. Hejinncd on his brokcsjNl bctorc turnins oul Thcposcnsc!lclllonl 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 hea\r ramc. Honerer lhe i6te pdsenger $reatened to call the u\iconpanylo complain aboul Mr Williams' rcctlc$ drnins. MrWillions did nol rcalizc tlccrorofhis$ats HcapologiT.d ro rhc passcngd and lold hin hc lvould nor do ilaeain butas s@n as the ne\r pa$enger gol inlo his la\i- M, wi:lids sped ollloIris nexr destinalion. clc i aorgcllins \rhat hc I iustsaid.

;traa,,: flo

iI?B!'The Kind Stranger

Old MrsSinnnons\.s\.itingarthcbnsslopiarcrsoitrssroccrt slDpping

.lthcsupcnnarlcr Ilcrmns\crcladcn\nhdDDpinBbiss Somcofthcn\crcslura un ltrr rh: Sonrc rsr cL chcd o ld hrr s TIts\ rsc crccpriomlhhc.\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 gnlshadnns\nnsso\iolcnlh 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.Ivl6Snnmons\nsgralclullohinlorhuhclp Hcc\cnhclDedicrroriphcrcirdon thc c.rd rcadcrbclorc Btridins hcr loa scar ncar thc tr.ck door

As drc]ornu conrnrucd. Nlrs Sinnnohs bcgan dornre or Snc boscncdlugrip 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 rcbusmorcdOncc 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$mall$c\a! 1olEhor€ Hc\aspcrsptrirsprornseh br llelinchereachedhc.bloclolnalsbuthecominucd 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 Ho\c\cr. hc dcclincd rohrcl] Insrcad. hc g!\c M6 Snn'notrs

his relcplrone iu0Lrer. lellinr her lhllhe nr\ ed near her rnd \o{ld help herrithhcr {occn shoDpnu \hctrc\cr hc cotrld

The M isunderstoo,d GirtSnndro saso.c ollhc ricbcs sirls in lhc school. Shc bchorcd in. haushly

nmh.r diri.gonlt \ilh$ose\hoscfanilicarvcieas.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. Shcdidnolconsumc 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 gro\rlcd ,M hc

cltrlchcd nas if bprc\cm 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 a\ay and run ollNhcn shc pushcd ncr conlaincr oafed in,ro olnim_l-\tbeen$atchingyou." shc saidquie r.-andInoliccdthalrouoltcndo

mt na\c monq b buy aood. You c& ha\c 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 brca\adr 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 crcrcatcn 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 )ouc.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 lhalbcnrs rich. she \ras proud and l@kcd doNn on lhcn. Horvcrc( in lrulh. shc hldbccn too afrnid lo spcak lo thcm Er c{ onc rv$ dclcm incd lo cbesc his atliludcblrards Sandm from thcn on

i_!The Fisherman

Thc lorrr runblcd nrtoficcarp. nc\l lol[c bcach h \ras lhc smr]lhonnoarlE momnrs and E bc.ch ras dcscncd Usnrs lhc brilhr moonlishl ro suidchih 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 enio\ed rhc lrrnquilsuroundinss it llE bcacn Taknrs oul hn collapsiblc plaiic cnnir Mr Dolnn

scl it np ar lhc cd8c olthc brcali\mcr Thctr hc prcparcd rhc b.il Hc c\Dc hpur lh. ban otr rh. hoor in lcss rh.tr a minurc B.,nrirg proudl). h. \.s gldrhlr 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.n\a\s bccn so Hc c\pccrcd ro

\an a long rimc lbi rc 6rsr crr.h Shring our rt rhc opcn sci. lc nnigncd\hil ncnl on utrdcn\alc. Thcrc mrghl bc manr scnools ol nsh $\nnmnrsrbour or pcrhrps lhcrc \as trorhing hur lca\rccd Jusr rs hc \as rbonl to snthr lccth rnto hissccond sind\\rch. hc notrccd hE ns!rng rodierknrg

Drcppnrg his sind\Lich back nrlo lhc contanrcr. MrDolitr sat np and gripDcd

hk6sinrsrodsnhbo$n.nds Hn c\c 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 e\clalncd lo hins€lr whit hc pullcd oul

oa rc sca $as bc\ond 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 toIet 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 dcrcd\harorlrrhrci.slngcath.rhe\ould!e1i'r rhc.c\rlc\ hours

The FarmerItlr Ptrham lnnpcd aficr Sh.rDq. his shccpdog A[cad olficn \as lhc

docloashccp ll\.sa\rnndar andc\cnonc\aslcchreslu3skn Athnficl,cacltd rl,c pinuc N! Ptroursstled undc, J Lec r\liLtccpilsr sl'Jrp s\rotr

Mi Pnrnrtu ioddcd appro\insh is Shrpa) hcrd.d rhc shccp i.ro ! corncr

lrdidnorc\enhalerobarlrosho\ lhaln\asinclrrrgc Th.shecpk c\ c\&rllrlar Shrrpir sintcd rcmrodo Thcr \crcitnidofSnipa\ anddidnotslralaar Mr Putnam \as abonl to takc a nap \hcn hi son camc nrnrirs to\ ards hnn

'Pol1\ lootssicl, lrtccps\rnrirgrolicdornr"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-\caFold horsc nnd it had nol bccn ncll rcccntlr Ho\c\cr. b\ lhc limc Mr Puh.nrrc,cn.d thc n.blc Pollj Ms,lrcd) on ns sidc lt $,s.lcar r[,r n \N dj nrg

NlrPut[nshoolnisnc.dunhippih Alio\ncrcaicdhislbrchcadrndhisnourhras scl in a gnnr linc Hc \nc\r 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 lctlthc 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 e\eni.g bul ltat d!\. aner Poll) s death. lrc decded to do a\ n) \,lhIisrnr.lrournrc Ilcakochcclcdrhcco$ $hichlEnadi6lnilLcd r.lmorninsHc 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 routrdeduprlrsheeplnd\as\annrgpatienllr aldetopolrl,eslopc 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 o\ncd Nlrcn hc shn.d lhc larm

,,,..h^ rE)

The lmpatient Bus DriverThe 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 waslDbbhrsalon8usins hcr Nalking slick $hilc carqins a hc.\-r bas ofsroccrics in ncr olhcrhand al rlc sanc limc. B! the tinc il ras hcr rurn lo stcp onlo lhc bus. rlcdri\er\as 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(ondncp 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 srnbbcdonlo tle ne esl hmdmil to prevcnl h€nerfrom fallins. FonuaGlr. therc\asasc,l bchi.d$cdrncred Mts Peslo. hlricdlr s donh

Throughoul lhc jounrcy. Ms Peslotr lound hcsclfclingingonlo thc cdsc ofhcr scar tor dcr lifc Togcthcr\nh thc othcr p.sscngcE. shc Nas sNrl inA fronlclt lo.ight as thc impalient bus drner s\rncd in and out oflramc. honliins at

ca6 ftat blocted his path Hc spcd rvhen$er lher $as an cnpl_\ space on $eroad Hc \ould aho slcp on fic bralcs suddcnlt Nhcn anothcr rchiclc cur irrohh path MB Prcston annost lcll or olncr scat L\ icc Thc hd,\ scard ncxt to hcr

dDpned her handbag and dother pass€nger $no $as standing lell on top ol$epasscnsf\hoNas 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 luc\r thal slr drd The bus came lo such a sudden

slop lhal a f.n slandint passcngcf lcll fonrard. Sooconc 6cn lcll our ofhascal 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 rcrollcr.lassn,rcs Shc \as,r th. cnd olrhc linc and snc sood \cll a\A |rom

E othc$ Hcr rcaclr.r notioncd aor h.r ro nro\. clos$ and roin hcr cla$h cs

bul shc merclr sa\c a slshl nod atrd nrncd aNar Shc did nor nanl lo \ilk too

trcar lhc n\o 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$cndcs\snnd snnkcdnrho\ lo\{lasslhc\ \crclouscsLch n,lclor itcn,s Unlilc thcm rll trcr srrloncq \as bou8hi ann, ihc ongmilDisn$ 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 slftras goirg. s[c tippcdo\cr 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 bhvdcsl snctr shc fch.n xnn rround hcr shouldcr

_L.l mc hclp )o!.' sard Laum. r soll-srolcn gnl \ho s nc\l 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 c\cn lend hcr a nrlcr \lrcn sltr nccdcd

onc $hctrAgncssardo\n somconcckc camco\crro gnc hcrapiccc olrissrc

nrpcr Asi.shdd c\.rbccnrrclrcdso\cllbr hcrclassnrtcsbcforc.Shc\Nsorouchcd b) rlrracriors drar slre ,l'nosr bursr inroL.aG

Allc' drat incdcm. Agncs sroppcd h( high Md m,ghl\ bclu\1our Slrc

sloprcd lookrns do\n 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 do\n

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 do\rn ro thc n@r bui [c lost nis balrncc. Thc akarc scoorcr

$\cncd dangcrouslt b thc riebr b.rorc cnshing inlo. mchl shcllorfloscrpotJordan landed on hisbac[ rith the scooter.lhe melal shelfand a fe\ no$erpols

on top ofhin. Fo,tunatcly. h. rvas mhua Hc pushcd crcD-rhing ofhnn adscrantrlcdtonis accr Gra66nrg lis slatc scoolc( hc mn i!.ol,is nal

Ho\trcr. 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 odcrf@l and hand in tridanas [ough hc \ as a profcss ional sluntiidcrin a 610 Hc

pEGnded $ar he \as statine a\a\ ftoto a g.oup of gangsters and cncled his

r@rn sc\cral tincs. sonr8 hstcr cach finc Soon. nc bcc.nc so siddr lhal hc *aslorccd 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$ Hccolldnc\crstopmo\ingaboul Horvc\ cr. his slunls rvcrc oncn \ct dangcrous. Althoush his parcnh had

ordorcd him ro slopdoing suchstu.rsandludc\plaincd 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. Mltcdintoftcclnsro r \..iirghs oc\ sprcr.cles.Ths tr-sp.ckclsd g!l bdsrn& ki( indr&rro hcr dcsk. Wnhnnickofhcrhoir Annicsalkcdon Shcdid not thint hricc.botrr

spcaling h6hind clcn tough $h.! shc said rould hurltc otho pcehShe \as ar hei dcsL huDming a lune Nhen she noiced $ar Joe. lhe bo}

stuing ncxt to [cr \as busib da\ing Pccdtreo\€rnis s[ouldc. shc bunl onll shing\lrcn shcsa\ thcc icaturc oI Spidcman llDt hc hnd dm\ n.

''Yo! nced dir\ihg 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 ofHo\Nc. 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 BoM\cr.lohcretobatrasstoenl. 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 S\r.llo\rins 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 $ercacherpicted Paricia lo dcnonslrarc $e tcchniquc An.i. hunghohoadassbc$alkcdlo$ 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 TwinsJoshua nircd nr srryrisc al lhc tst p.pcr h fionr olhim Hos conld hc

ha\c donc so badlr for his Enghsh rcsr'l Wirh a sigh. h.lcanr back and handcd

rlru papcr ro hG dcnricil n\nr. Ju,d!. Thcr loolcd so nlilc LIIL rlrnur .\c,\lcachcr.ould norrcl| lhch ap.rl Ar lc!n. ris \as\h lhcl rholghr

'l\,lis Polcr\anrsnc ro st brcl lorc\m lcsronsbur l ha\. a b.dnrronmirch\trIShr\ninhnllanhotrrCanrousoinnrl placcl' Jordanplcidcd\rthIti lxodrcr JoslN. trc\r lh nn bro rcr had been pncrising \cr hard lhc pasl

h\o \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. lnirgto looli as solcmn is Ic could wnh . hign fi\c. 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 \ncnNlu 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 Ihcntriclihadbccndiscorcrcdl Hc\anlcdlodcnr 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 ncrDcnaralcttci I rhil hc lrid \.trcn

"This n prootrhnt \ou arc roshual sl,e said. her\o'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 rcliNcrcsrittcnnrrdilfc(.r \a) Thll smgl.l.no had gncn rhcto r\a\

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.rhc slotpcd h's Samc nntucdi ch and tucclll lollo\.d N rs Po(u to lhc sldllroonr Thald.\. bothJoslnra and Joldin $crc lorccd tosra\ b.ck ancrt.hourtocoftflcrcc\.nhoic\ork Thcl dccdcdnc\crropla) such!kickagrr rrlcan

i_!

The Health-conscious GirlGcraldinc 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 ronlroturdca,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(c\cr Gc6ldinc \ras so hcanh-conscious tal shc

dcclincd $.lood d,l hcrclassmrl. ofcrcd h.rduring lccess Inskad. shc t!.kc<lintoacont.incrof brorvn ricc. bcansad Ic mcatvhich hcrmothqh"dprcparcdfor lE Hcr classnalcs rvinklcd $cn no*s al tlr food thal Ceraldine Nas eathg.

Ho\c\!( shc \ras undau cd Snc crcn dcclincd Oc rich crcan! bntdN catcand 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 che\ine on s\rcels. No onc could

undcBtmd \hr Gcrrldinc \as so hcalth{onscious Ancr c\crcnins. 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 renldo\r.sbns b ftc sNinmi.s pool for a s\rim. Shc did no{ spla about in tlEpml litc thc olhcr clildrcn thcrc. lnslcad. snc Nm aonr lnps. r]ing cach imclo 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 mhdGcmldinct 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 HoNc\cr hcr cousin bccanrc bulinicdd crcntuallr dicd aron lhc illncas. Gcialdine Nas dctcrhnrd to mainrain a

hcahht lifcstrlc and )ct losc rvcishl at t[c emc rimc.Allhoughsnc somclincs fclrmiscrablccalinsonll hcalthr lood.slconcnrcnindcdhcxclfolhoNimpon.nl

The Timid BoyI \ralchcd mr lounscr brolhcr nidins bchind mr morlcr Nhcn \c mcr nn

old nci8hboxr al lhc markcl. Sccins ho\ he bcno\cd rcni.dcd nc ofono orn\ clrsn.dls \ho s.B so quier tud slr) rlar lrc tc blcd \![enc\u a.\oncspokc 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 borrvilh r son roicc. Nol manl olus tnc\r Nhrl his \oicc \ras rcallr litc !s lchardlt 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 i\al 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 hisgioup. ,\ ar fion c\cqonc 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. Iastcdhin illcould bodoN hiserascr He.jumped in lrisht \rhcn I lapped hnn

onlheshoulder He agrced lo lctrd rne thc erascr Ho\c\eLlaterrvhenlforgortorctnrn il lo nnn. nc \rrs loo .araid lo ask mc for it I did horcrch rc.lizclnatI 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.hcsaslooscarcd 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 nAs 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 src\r up

Abisailrummased ftrcugh rhe bag thathad been Dlaced nelt to lhe rubbish

bin Thosc rvho did nol kno\ hcr sould ha\c lhonsht $at shc \vas cnbcr a

[cgsarorarag-an'l-boDc-ladr Sncnasncnhcf Shc\asjuslano\ironnorlallyconscious pcre. Nho bclicrcdlhalc\crllhingcould 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. Ho\e\er 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 c\0minins

tcn. Abigail rclli7ad rhrl shc could lakc o Oc indi\ idull puls and usc tcmShe looli oul rhc plasic co\trofonc lo} and used n lo storc coins that \cr Finsxround 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. Talingour scycr.l tissuc bo\cs 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 akoloot 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 daricnds lo osc rcusablc bags a.d lo hclp savc $c cn\ionmcnt bur bt hcr aciohs-

ndt ol $em had slo\r\ becone inlluenced b) hei and had decided to be noreenrnomrentallr conscious lilie her

A ChangeN h.tr ranoiI\hcn 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\ si\cn rhcn all h'!pclcr ronc\ Hc h d rur buushrrsr.dsill,itrd hcrl dur \.un r., tus.ntdrir !\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\ to\crcdolrhiD\rll a scontul look on his lacc Hc lhoughl that hc \ould ha\c to gi\c up h6pckcrmoncr lorrhcda.asanr\hctrhc[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|,.g\hatnlghrhr\chappencdtohnn.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 co\ard Hc rcsoncd b sr.nd up

lorhnnscllthcnc\t 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 \asprlpikriDr 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 [nnnraighr rlrc\c 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.c\lrlhislundsrsh6bodr shook\iolcnrlr \nhlcarHc had llnallr rood np lo thc bnllics! Ho\rc\cr. had lakcn allrlr couragc rhal

hc conld ustcr Hc ras dctcrmincd toconhuc nandrngnD b rhcnr

The WidowerClou'ls \ cc $altcrcd across lhc s(r The\ mo\edsoslo\rh burN{.philtps

troriccd rcn llc hrd bccn doin8 nodrnr8 bur .rnr8.l thcn lnr rc p.st hallanhour Wirh his \hsclchai' lo.l.d i', tlacc. i,c sc\ctrr\-\ eaFol'l \hitc-hancd nan

$otrshl again ofho\r muchola budcn hc nrs ro hk f0milrItlrPIillipssrippcdthc$hcclch.ir nraruslration Ilcbadl] \.trlcdroscttrp

bul ltr h.d s,fter.d ! sfotc \hcn he \rs s,\t\ -.nrc \cla old and \!s unablc lomo\c n \is.ho thc rcar hn r\ ilc Fsscd a\al lrom canc.r Thc lsuall) acti\c

.n \ascotrnncd ro a shcclchan Hischildrcn hncd. aull-limcnunclohkccarcollis d.ilr nccds as lhc\ \crc all \orhrg Alrlorgh Mr Phillips oicn asrrcdlris 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: c\cling.

rosgins. pliring lootball\r1I hr smndclildrcn HoNclc. hc kq hE thoushrs

rust rhcn. lhc doorbcll ra.g Mr Plrillips \anl.d to.iuNp od ofhis chanloop.n lhc doorbnl hc could nol rno\! lt \rasnnh grc.l cIIofl that hc nranascd lotr'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'c\csbrishlcncdonsccnrsthcscl Chc$\ishisa.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 mo\c m\ iflns. sid lur Plillips. \ho ris sl'll as llcn ns

'Jusr Lcll mc \hicn piccc rou $anr ro nro\c.nd I'll do il ' said Mr BroclHc \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 do\trsins b nrccl (hc o rr trcishbo0$ Mr Phillips \.s shd lo spcal bde pcorlc \hoh hc hld hccn roo ashrhcd lo ldc. rico he \as confincd to a\hcclch.n Hc\rasplc.scdth.l$.toncslrlltrcatdhnnft s.nrc\ar Wnhhis.n'n.''f'\d. V Ph''|.t. '. 'tr

tr.J r.l'r L."il .r. 'l 'l.rlf .grn

A New StartSandra righrcncd r[c co\cr ol rhc nrilk botlc rnd nrook n \isoroush Shc

drippcd . lc$ drops on hcr \rkl Lo lcsl il n \rs lM comccL rcmpcmurc TIcn5lt 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$ t\\o orlrcr brorhcrs Tlr.\\erc \ chnrs lclc\ision Shc ticn hndcd io ino rcr rcor ro cneck on ls hr in

silcE\hoscrcplaringrc.rdsanrc Thcr \crcnrllcnsrosscdnrficngamcsoshcdc.idcd b rrt. otrr hcr rc\rbo.ts ro rcad Thci. \rs a rhi.1.\croldu{orcirhcnr as shc hld tror lalcn thc.r our lor i long rinrc Wnh a sigh. S!trdra \

^lrcdthil shc conld rcrun ro school Shc hnd noppcd school thcnriddlcofsccondanOrc as hc!parcnts had run out olnroncr lorhcrbnudr SIc \asdc\istircd as

sic$asdonrgscll nrsc|ool Morcolcrslrlikcdlc,nrnrg Ilo\N.(.s thccldcndaugnrcrnrdrlh'nil.\.shchad rohclpourrhcr,mih nrrihcsolnccd Sh.\ortcdal a la food lcstanratrl to. a rcar ro hclp srDplenrcnl ttc lamil\ iNomc Larcr.

hcrmo$craounda.iobxndrch'flrcd1o\o't Ir\rsthcnuproSandrirohk.carcolhcr i\c 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 tc\tbook bcloe a

nrht brole our bcl\Ecn 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 trrillSandm r our ro Fcit hnn Snc did nor In\c. monrcnr of rcs 0s slr did onc

Thar n,ght. as Sandra \asrurl"'s her\ounsesr[rother lo Ued. shc reoored

.n unc\p.crcd \nnor It\is 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) bchc\c \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 hcrThal 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 RohberyKcn .nrblcd along thc foolp.ri on his \r.r homc from school Hc \rhktlcd

Iappih .s hc llonsIt ollie dclicioN lundr r.lhismorhcrn.dprep.redlorhiDrHc I'Jdjtrr rcaohcd drc srou.d Iuo, ulhs bloc( oflln6 \ltnn rnri biusltd pnn

hnn Shovnrg Kcn Io fic sidc hcshonrcdan8rilraihimforbloctnrgthc\arK.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 o\cnook Ic!.IIc ran in rhc dircction olrhc parl llcsoppcdto,stdroggciifhch.dsccnrhc iobbcr Tlc.ioggcr srid Ihfl hc sa\ dc nran goine rluough a pu6c bcsidc

a duslbnr md takrng onl rhc rnoncr Thcn hc lad lhlo\rn thc Dn6c rnto lhcdusrbn, bcforc runnina oft Kcn shonrcd aor rhc iogg.r ro crll rhc polrcc rshc ran in thc dncclion \hcrc rhe robbcr had gone Rcachrns anothe. blockoI Ials. hc nis atrotrl lo si\c up rlcn hc noliccd a piir ol bro\rn lonlcrs

sricknrg onr froD bchind a \all Hc crcpr ro\ards 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 c\en lino\ thal Ken

\as nandnrs h nonr oahnn l'cn \rs about lo pouccon hnn \hcn hc nc.rdrhc co mandnrg roicc of . policcman r,cn spun around and lcapr o olnrc\a) !s x\o pohccnc. grdbb.d rhc robbcr rnd pinncd him do\n

lie. hcared a sigh olrel,eras he \ar.herl rhe robberbeins led a\a\ He\as

slad ln.r hc \.s nblc ro hclp aDprchcnd rc rourcr Thc robbcr lutrcd ro glarc irKcn 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 RobberBcn \.s \rkhnrg lclc\kion \nh hk smndmorhcr \hcn hc hc.d fic

d@rbcllrins Thinlin8llarhissklcr[adcomchonrc hcmnloopcnficdoor llcr,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.igrandmoficr turcd 1o scc \har hnd hippcncd Shc sclc.nrcd hcr hcid ofl$[cnshc srtr fic drggcr Ii \as rhc \rong rihg ro do Th. robbcr drrhcd ronards h.rind slosh.d hcr rigl ann BcnigrMdtrrolhcr soggcrcdbacr h lrighr Bl@d\rstric(Lns lrom drc \onnd. fiinmg rhc b.rgc carpd \hcrc shc sr@d Fillcd \rlhangc! al \h.r lhc mnn had donc ro his Bmndi,orhcr. Bcn rumpcd ro\nrds hcr

ro shicld [cr Ho\c\cr. rhc robbcr otrlj laughcd and ncadcd b\ards $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 \.apDcdrt 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 rlrsotrnd olclorh bcin! rippcd ipan comirr ton nis p.rcnh roon Tncnnchcnrd 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 [cbackcd a\ar nhcn thc robbcr brandisncd nrc dxggcr rhat hc \ras nolding Alrh!r nlohcnl. rhc robbcr nolrccd rhc c!slal igulnc nc\r ro rhc rclc\ision scr.

He srodc acro$ \'tltour c\e'r la\,rg a glanoe ar BeI and his grandmothcr.

Crabbnu n llom ils and hc lucl{cd n trndcr his am .nd \illcd ro\rrds rhc

Bcnrnd his ghnd'norhcr couid o l\ \dr.hhclplcssl\ as rhc robbcr \rltcdca$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 ro\ards 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 LaboratoryMauhc\ brd mi\cd 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. Itchad. brskcl of ryo*shccls and o ldsc containcr ofcomDrct discs thor N€rc to

bc uscd aor rhc h$on. Hisjobl\rs roplr $cm in lnc hbo&lory and rumon rh.rcacheas cohputer berore lhc slan orthe lesson Ho\eler Nhe. he appoacbcd

lhc labonlo4. hc knc$ nnmedirtclt lhlt somcthins \ras miss Thc labonlorydoor {hich Nas usnallr sccurcl! lckcd. $ns ajfl.

Mathc$ decidcd lo ih\csriga& bclo( callingrorhclp Hc opcned tc doorgingq\'. 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 LCDmonnos \rcrc.lso mi$in8 Fom \rhcrc hc smd. Matrbcs r.alizcd rllal iro ottc 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 srrc\rn cvcry\hcrPlacins the rvorkshccts and cofrpacl discs $ar he \ras car4 ing on the fl6r.

le rushcd tolhc phonc to infonn hisrcachor While\raiting lor hc( he cornposcd

nis tloughls and took a dccp brcalh Hc could noI bclicrc thal such a thinS could

nrppcn in school Soon. Malihc\r hcard his tcacncr's roicc do\n $c coridorShe tushed rto the laborabn \rnh the pnncipal and fie ricerrincipal Thejscrc dmbfoundcd al nnl shcn Lhc! sa\r thc mcss. Tncn lhc princip.l sprma

inro .ct ion Hc bekd our ordcrs. rc l lir g Matdrs 's rc achcr d1nc\icc-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. bc8mspcculalins 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 nuslharebeen the \orl olsoneone rho had access lo lheLq. He hoped thal the lhcf

A Bicycle Theftl\as 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 bic\clcs 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\ robrcakrhclocl\ithrDanolplicrs 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. InoliccdaNalsqurtrnrs\hcrcrhcros 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 k\rsrhcn\hc.lcd to fie bhc \nn Thc sccond min cmcrgcd lronr rhc lan and lifrcd rhc

bicrclcci$h onlorhcbnckolrhc\in Anolhcrbicrclclock\nsbcinsbrokcnb\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\ c\cn nancd tiuinrr ro cach olhcr not reah/iDr ho\ ruch noisc lh$ ncrcnraliing m thc qurclaltcnroon. As thc thiclnho\is brcakinr lhc padlGks bccnnrc

nrorc f.mili.r n iIn sI.r hc s.s donrg. hc \orkcd lasc. Hc sas.lrc.dr onto ficlas bicrclc ind rcr rl[ policc \\crc still no$ncrc h sighr I conrcnrplakd goin!

upto rh.'n bur I(0e\rrhat I \asroDiatch lor the t\\ostock\ ren \rhor.senibled

sorillasfronlncbrcl Juslrlrcn apatrol.arprllcdtrphnonLoanrc\.n.blocLin!ilsp h lhc$ic\cs fcrrlcss.nd conndctu nunncr \rnkhcd Ihcv lricd ro run

trnr thc\ \crq,nnncddlcl\ stoptcd b\ rhrcc cquallr bnrl\ policc omccAI \$ glad $,l the pol'ce hid ained i'r rhe nic\ ol xNe hlore rh. tlne\es

cscrDed Bac$rsnno rcsnado\s lhidaronrhcrlnc\csasl\rsaar.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 hcr\cd a

sillr ofrchcl\rlrcn lre (hic\cs \crc litrrll\ talcn a\!\

The Dishonest EmployeeGcoBc placcd thc bccl poltr'. ! slicc ofchccsc. tomolcs.lcllucc and onions

bcl\cc. 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 lEdoocdurlhanhclookmolhcrnvosliccsof brcndondprcparcdtodothcsamclhins Withinninlrcs. 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 lclmrlo 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 lilcOncc. 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*rxnd 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 $as stillbustling \nh cuslotoc*. Going to thc ftcezclncs\rifll(r@kabagolr.s ncal.packdoffricsedapackcrof 6sh Hcsofrcd$crn quictl! iblo his ba8 Ho\c\cr hk ocions did not go mhoriccd Onc othis 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 fronhnn 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 bcr\\ccn dE manaser.Dd Grorsc. Gcorsc

\otrld h!\c bccn dismisscd lhol day il hc had nor cxplaincd hk plighl lo lncnanager Thc Eanagercnpa$i/cd $nb Ccorgc and agrecd lo lcl him tato soh.lood hone fo! his lrandnother ar the end of each shift Ho\rqq. he nas on\alloNcd lo lakcnonca burgcr cach dar. Thc managcr eid hc \o!ld norhcsihtc

rodismisshim orcrc. rcpon $c nall(lothc policc ifccorgc \rscalghl s$.lingagain. Ccorgcs.s smtcful forln monascr'shclpand undcGlandins Hc rc$hcdlo sorkMderalhisjob

6-D-,',[ffi.ciltffi{, ffi i[rE"tJiStealing Fruit

_Stop that rhiclr sloutcd llrc Innt sclleras he raccd atterabo\ inadarkcolorrcdT-shii Un.blcbc.rch trp\irhhim hc rltrc\ rtrapplcriilhc hrdnr his

hand'l'hc applc hit d,c back ollhc boli nca'l'lhc nnpaci Nas.Dough b slo\rhcbordo\tr Sc\cralp.ssc6b\ c.nghtthcbo\ 0nddmgscdhinbnckroficstallh hn poclcb $crc npplcs.trd omtrgcs I \rlchcd $c spccl.clc utrlold beaorc

tue ll made o. tocall drc rihc \hen ml ln.nds and I had b.en crugh ncrling

Il\aslhcschool holidnrs M\ aricndsandlrcrcbu\ingloodaor.barbccncWc had uscd rp all our monc\ bu\ nr! ra\ lood so \lrn \c passcd thc ltun shll.\c \.rc uMblc ro blr an\ lruil Ho\.\cr I lo\cd l|un,nd I could nor nn,ginc

c hcal \irhour rhc NI\ fticnd. iocl. msgcsrcd lhal \fc rakc sohc apnlcs and

or.tr!cs shcn lhc lruir scllcr\as rot lookrng Al nnr. \c \crcappnllcdarlhcidcibtrl rnen Jocl callcd trsco\irds.\c dccidcd lo lnkcrp thc dmllcnsc

As 1hc fNnsclld \.s btrs\ \nlr.lc\ cusroncs Jocl lcpralookour\hilcthc lcv ofus llicd Io takc as min\ lnrit as ouplanic bagsconld cim. wc ncrcs,cc.ssful in ourrcr rs monc hd not.cd us Wc\crcxblc b nllourph{ic bags

totlcbnnr. Hosc\cr. th:l sas rhcbisgcslnlslate\cmadc As\e\c.c\allinsor onc olour Dlaslt trags tot Sc\cral citrsolsausarcs lcllto tlc lloor Nilh n

loud clans A dozcn applcs rollcd onr of tu b.g loo lhc sonnd c.rg[t llc arun

scllcr's atrcmion Ilc grc\ $spi.ious \hcn hc sa$ rhc applcs Thctr nc noriccd

tl,c omnges '. o{rolher bass Clancing at the bo\cs orftun in h6 sl!ll. he sa\thal Ihcrc \crc nnrch l$cr lrurt thitr bcrore. Hc ln6r unmcdnlch \hal ladhaDpcncd Alrhoulh hc \as anln snh ns \c Ncrc foltlnatc thar rlt fnrit scllcr

drosc notlo pureuc drc m.ucr.arcrsc apolo8i^dI shred ar rhc bor \rho had l,een l,auled blcl ro the lruil srall He had a

dcfant look on his facc and hc rcluscd to spcat \hc. rr ftu,r s.llfrskcd hnn

nht hc hnd hkcn thc arun I n.tchcd.s rhc arun scllcr bronrh rhc bor to ficnc.rbr policc s.rion I $otrdcrcd ho\ sc\crch hc \ould bc prtrtncd

fhe Mobile Phone ThielClnrcncc stcppcd otrl oa$c tusl food rcstouranl. In his hand nrs o ba8

\irh a ha'nburscr and lri.s. Hc \as about to $.lk do\u lhe p.rc'ncnl to thc

Dtrs s(op \lrn soreone dashed pasr hn.. tnocLing rltr bag oflo.d our ofnis

''HcJ l nc shourcdbutOc nlnrrs gonc. All hc could crlch a elimpsc of\1!rl^e\e'lo$ lah'I and be'ge uousets lh rhemrnsJss.a'rf,!

Clarcncc rctricred his bng of food and co"tinucd otr lis \rar. Hc Nas

about to lurn around lhc corncr \hcn hc sporlcd lhc sanc n.n \rho hod

tnocted inrohin Hc \as about ro conllonr him \\hcn hc sa$ rhc man knock

inro a lady *ho \as \al(ine prsr hin Thc 6an ,poloeired to her and hclpcd

hcr lo retricre [cr lhinss. To Clarcncc-s [orol he sary lhc nan pockcl hcrmobilc phonc rvithout hcr k,o\lcdsc. Inccnscd. hc rvas rcadr ro pouncc on

rhc nrn bm nc rurncd and nadc oilspcodilt in anoihcr dnc.rion Clarcnc.hshcd up to infoim rhc ladJ trha!hc had sccn Stunb.d. shc chcc(cd hcr bag

and lound lhal rvhat Clircncc said \as Iruc. Hcr mobilc phonc $as mhsing.Shc agrccd ro intorn thc p6licc Nhilc Clarcncc pnrsucd rhc m,n

Clarcncc \as almosr out olbrca$ alkr runnine alons sc\cml streets. He

lud losr sidrl of lhc han and Nas aboul to gne up Nhcn he spoued sohcone

in a tcllo\r l-shni salting brisklv in lnc middlc ofa croNd From Nhcrc

nc slood. Clrrcncc could scc thc mah usc thc s.mc tic* to slcal the mobilcphonesof$reeo$erladies Clarence\asaboullorunallerlhehanrvhenhenoliccd threc police omccrs sl.ndin8 a shorl dislancc a\rar In a nash. fic!scrc al lhc mont sidc Thct nad cauShr hnn by surprisc so hc Nas u,blcro run a\r.) Wnh thcn hands nml! oh his arns. rhcl lcd hin to a \a,t,.g

Clorcnce \cnt on bis sa]. Hc hne$ lhat [c hd bccn ofsomc hclp c\cndrousn nc did.ol catch thc nan himsclf. Ifhc had not told thc Indy abotrr hcr

nissinB nobilc phonc and gol hF to inaorn thc polic.. thc nan sould halcgol a\ray scot-free He \.s glad thal lhe man \ras apprehended and lhar the

ladics Nouldbc lble lo gcl rlEn mobilc plDb.s back

6.