Rite Spi? eye 0 ACCIDENTS 1 Me oe ee to one side and the next moment ther on the floor or elingin ately to Our seats. There was pa na ee ndemonium in the bus as ‘creams and yells filed the ait 2. The bus was hanging precari NG precariously al the edge of 2 steep cliff. We scrambled out through all available exits including the windows and made it in the nick of time before the bus tumbled over. 3. From the comer of my eye | saw a dark shape looming in front of us. The next moment | felt my body being launched into space 4. | was blinded by powerful lights. | heard voices talking anxiously and footsteps hurrying in my direction Lwas in_a daze and vaguely remembered being carried into a car. | felt too stunned to protest. | felt dizzy and then blacked out, 5. __My father reversed the family car, bundled me into it and sped towards the hospital, We reached the hospital in double quick time. 6. Suddenly a car swerved into my path and | had to jake evasive action to av a collision. | managed to do so but in the process | crashed into a drain. By the time | picked myself up the car had disappeared. So | stood there fuming. The cuts and bruises sustained from the crash were nothing compared to the anger | felt atthe hit-and-run driver. If had been killed the driver might have got away with murder. 7. _Allof a sudden the silence in the cabin was broken by a loud whirr. The passengers were jostled about as the plane shook and tilted from side to side, hit by some unknown object. 8. We held our breaths for the most crucial moment had arrived. The plane came down with a tit but was straightened in time. It jolted horribly but came to a perfect stop beside the fire engines on the tarmac. While the passengers scrambled out to safety, the firemen put out the fire in the right wing of the plane and saved it from utter destruction. 9. The attendants in the ambulance party had great Gifficully in extracting the bodies of those dead inside the wrecked cars. Many of the spectators could not bear the sight of the grisly task and some even fainted 10. The road where the accident had taken place presented a horrible sight. There were puddles of blood all over the place. Scattered here and there were pieces 11. We rode five abreast and all ofa sudden a speeding car came towards us. We had no time to take evasive Section and the next moment we fellin a sprawiing heap. 42. [heard the screeching of brakes followed by the | rushed to the scene of the accident Meanwhile, a large crowd of onlookers had gathered to eee ee ae rivers were shouting their !ungs out, blaming each other for the accident. swerved to the right and left. | looked on, ohicle. My worst fear was. confirmed. An instant later, the car crashed into a brick wall. There was a sickening crash of metal being twisted at the moment of impact crash of melatme died and the car lay in @ heap of mes. 14. Lheard shouts of glee coming from their direction, Jo my horror, | saw them throwing a javelin at each other. | guessed it saved them the chore of having to retrieve the javelin after each throw, It was scary watching them. A couple of times I was sure the javelin, would strike flesh but it missed by inches 1. Then disaster struck. Ali threw the javelin and it arched towards John who had difficulty judging the fight, path. He was not sure which way to go. The javelin ‘came down hard on his thigh with a sickening thud Instantly a spray of red blood gushed out from the stricken thigh, John gave a howl of pain and fell on his back, writhing in_pain and his hands clutched desperately at the embedded javelin 16. A motorist horned furiously behind me and before | could swerve to the side | felt the bumper of the car hiting my biycle. Eova.sn second | felt my bicycle wobble, There was a screech of brakes and the impact ‘sent me flying through the air. | fell heavily on the ground and then blacked out. | reqained consciousness fifteen minutes later. By then a curious crowd had gathered around me. My friends were kneeling down, vigorously fanning my face with exercise books. My head was throbbing and a sharp pain shot through my arm when [ried to lit it 17. | fell heavily on the grass verge of the road and rolled into a monsoon drain. The rough conerete sides of the drain bruised my knees and elbows but other than that | was unhurt. | scrambled out of the drain, dusting my clothes and examining my bruises. 18. I crept out of the plane through a small hole in the fuselage. | was rather dazed and shaken. Of the other Passengers, many were slumped lifelessly in their Seats, others had been thrown out of the plane by the impact of the crash. Those who were stil alive had ‘managed to crawl out of the plane, and were sitting on the ground nursing their injuries. 19. {leaned and peered through the window. The dark sky was illuminated by flaring bursts of lightning followed immediately by loud shattering biasts of thunder. Then, as the plane shuddered violently, baggage from the racks above fell and cries of panic broke out. Almost immediately the plane began to lose height. | could feel the plane spinning over and over, Some of the passengers started screaming in terror while others said their pravers loudly. | ramember being thrown about in the piteh darkness: Then | heard a Wemendous crash and | passed out aeRite Spice ACCIDENTS (Continued) 20. When | regained consciousness, | was only aware of the throbbing pain in my head. Through my iattered clothes | observed the patchwork of numerous cuts ‘bases allover | looked around me but fe NO signs of life. Blood splattered corpses and dismembered limbs lay scattered everywhere. | lump rise in my throat. Wincing with pain and fear, | struggled to stand up. My logs were weak and ny sare romblng. {nied ane Was N0 trail to follow. Leta 21. We could see the flashes of lightnin in the distance. Very soon the aierat was begining to fos the storm and was pitching and toseing In the turbulence inthe a. Matstone as large as tons all were smashing against the arcraft Al of @ sudden | heard a crack like a pistol shot. A feeling of danger rept into our minds. 22, Lreceived a violent jolt and my body hit against the ‘steering wheel and the front windscreen. | was dazed and had a faint feeling that | was thrown out of the car 23." My eyes were losing the power of holding a purposeful steady gaze. | made a vain attempt to get up but | crumpled and fell. did not have the strength even to raise my body. In the meantime people gathered around me and there was the usual fuss and excitement but very little action. 24. The sunlight streaming through the thick canopy in the early hours of the moming revealed the ghastly and gory sight that lay before us. The actid smell of smoke overwhelmed us and parts of the wreckage were stil smouldering. Not one body, personal belongings or equipment was found intact. All we could pick were charred and mangled remains from the debris. The stench thal emanated from the area was overpowering. 25. It was the wee hours of a drizzly morning when Roslan:Khamis finally managed to get some sleep. His wife and three children were curled up ia the living room after catching the last show on TV, and Roslan, who was earlier feeling a little uneasy, had retired to the bedroom of their house in Pantai Dalam. Then, at 6.15 a.m., a loud explosion rocked the house, The next thing he knew, Roslan heard a rumbling sound and was buried under a pile of sand and rubble. Clawing his way out, Rosian was greeted by the sight of his Si: year-old son, Affendi, lying lifeless under ahuge boulder that had landed in the living room. ‘Aloud blast followed by a commotion on the streets interupted our conversation. We later lear that a bom iden under a bus went off in a street some cls away, When | arrived at the blast site, the place We8 edoné by the police and surrounded by a hu crowd. ssflash appeared on mY -d and stated in a serious ‘an Important .d that a large ds Earth and 27. All of a sudden, 2 new: are ‘screen. A newscaster appe voice, "We interrupt this program tar announcement. it has been discov meteor is travelling at 2 fast P has been calculated to hit Earth at approximately 12.00 P.m. Tuesday. We urge everyone to move in a calm manner to a storm shelter or any other form of security.” 28. There | stopped to watch: a distant commotion; cops moving back and forth; paramedics rolling 2 stretcher towards an apartment complex. A crowd was alteady forming as the police move back and forth, The ‘Scene was eorily quiet and peaceful 29. My feet struck the ground, faunching me faster heading for the sound. Finally | reached it, almost wishing | hadn't. Here lay @ mother, child in hand and a red stream flowing down her lifeless face. The bundle In her arms screamed again, snapping me back into feality. 30. Soon the medics rolled someone out - 2 small person, a child - and loaded the patient onto the chopper. The helicopter coughed and wheezed as it began its mere) to the hi 31. Then flash, in the blink of an eye, the world was ned upside down. When | finally got myself together was lying about 20 feet from the wreckage. | stood up and in front of me lay tons of terrible camage strung, ‘across the field like a satin sheet after a restless night. Fire was everywhere with its delicate destruction. 32. We got into the car and raced to the scene of the accident. | could feel my heart beating rapidly inside my chest as if it might try to jump out 33. There was an endless shattering of alass breaking, metal grinding, engines melting. ieather tearing, and plastic cracking as everything was covered with a blanket of glass, Then at last everything stopped and the world was black 34. I never saw the car coming. The bumper-hit my knee, shattering it, throwing me onto the hood. My glasses were thrown from my face | slammed into the windshield, cracking it and shattered my ribs and spine. Tolled over the top of the car and slammed into the pavement, cracking my skull | couldn't feel anything My spinal chord was severed. | heard the screech of brakes; the opening and closing of a car door echoed the deafening crash and felt a tertifi Glass and steel flew everywhere. My whole body seemed to be turning inside out. | heard mysetf scream: ‘Suddenly | awakened: it was very quiet. My body was mangled. | was saturated with blood. Pieces of jagged glass were sticking out all over. Strange that | couldn't feel anything ANGER 4, He saw red when his brother took his money 2. He was scarlet with anger. | His face swelled with anger. 3. He geethed with hatred when he saw his enemy, 4, She turned her blazing eyes at her husband when he gambled away all his money. eeeinch ‘at WwW Rom Nhs . i Omb ge Throb = Keeley Pe vtay tte Sptce bur eet tee, 5. Van gty 4 ZANGER (Continued) 5, _Lwas utterly dumbfounded. A few minutes ago her was dratthat the hours of my life were numbered. Blood Hen Pbing out of my mouth and chest. was infuriated te way | had to die, Death like this was meaningless, Udi did not'get the chance to die for a cause, to die heroically. 6. And at last she could not hold back her tear: anymore and it flowed out freely with sadness, frustration, despair and anger - all ulterly mixed, Pp HIN ~ Gly elO 7. | lared at him as he had the cheek to deny it, He gave me an innocent look. | shook my head in disbelief. was fuming wth anger but he shrugged his shoulders and kept quiet. soe 8. In anger he uttered, “i! bash you up for his Those words incensed mo-and I colrted, “Be my Quest!” The burst of anger hung aver us for a moment before he strode away fuming, 8. He fumed irritably as he headed back to his ancient motorcycle, 10. Most probably, a conquered my mind and | wished ilogically that | could have the courage to run away from my family, orto fight with my father, orto pick up a stone and break the glass of a shop window, in order to vent my anger 11. He clenched his fists in frustration and ground / gritted his teeth in desperation. 12. All the other memories started coming back. | couldn't stop them. They just kept coming one after the other. The more | remembered the faster the tears ran ‘out. | got up and started pacing around in my room. The “fmore 1 thought of her the angrier | became. Look my ‘2agression out by punching the walls; The nurses came in trying to calm me. 13. With my jaws clenched, | knew nothing | said could nullify his suspicion. 14. She saw me soll my eyes at her in disqust. This made her blood boil. She charged at me, shaking her finger in my face. | jumped back from my mother's fierce ‘action. My mom offen scared me with her ability to lash out at me a wy BS apracd a PREHENSION, F 4. Someat the candidates appeared tobe abitrufle daa most of them were ed in he face as they emerged Aten office, Soon twas my tur and a | entered the office al eves were cenited on me. walked briskly to 8 table and greeted them. 2, He stopped in front of me, folded his arms and ‘Saved at me. Lput my head down / My head hung low. L-couid not meet his gaz 3, Lwited anxiously for long minutes. All sorts of terrible thoughts came up to torment me. dered. ir and 4. Isatonthe chat at me quizzically but | just The canteen helper looked shrugged my shoviders ety ont A peu sive oe fe ee fave as red with rage. 6. Slowly the excitement of a new experience turned to boredom, ed 10 crawl. The ‘The clock seemed 10_bo siuck Aller whal seemed like an eternity we were summoned to board the aeroplane. 7. Mother smiled feebly at_us before she was wheeled into the operation theatre. We waited anxiously in the room outside the theatre. Father was uneasy and paced up and down the floor, sweating profusely ut of nervousness. Two hours passed before the door slid open and the doctor stepped out, wiping his hands on a towel, 8 There have been many incidents in my life which sill remain vivid in my memory. However, there is one incident which always make me shudder each time | think of i. The incident nearly cost me my life. 9. Thick smoke was billowing out of my neighbour's house! MY heart pounding. siood petited fora tw span aac cst > next room and f 10. It was my first trip on an aeroplane. Naturally Iwas excited and apprehensive. My flight was scheduled to leave at 9.00 p.m. and | had plenty of time to kil. 11. entered the room cautiously. | could see the indistinct shape of someone lying on the bed. My legs ‘quivered in fear and my mouth grew dry, yet| walked to the bed and pulled back the sheets. What the fickering light ofthe candle revealed, was a sight so horrible that ‘even now | shudder to think of it, Lhhad to bite my tonque to sliflea scream. The blood drained from my face and ‘my body shook with fear. 12. The path wound its way between the rocky outcrops at the top of the high clifs. As | walked | kept my fingers grossed that | would reach the fishing village, half a mile away, before the storm broke. 13. The hut was in darkness. The cement floor was rather damp and my bones ached. | tossed about uneasily in my sleep and finally got up, wrapping my thin jacket around me. | stumbled through the darkness towards the door, groping with my hands untit my fingers could feel the cold metal of the door knob. | pushed the door open and it creaked protestingly. 14, [stirred restlessly in bed. The bedroom was in darkness. It was a hot night and the dull moonlight which shone in through the open window showing the faint outline of the furniture in the room. Suddenly Lheard low moan followed by a whimper. My heart began to beat very fast. The sounds were so eerie that i covered my head with my blanket in fear. However, the sound continued and kept me awake. 15, The dog began to bark fiercely. The boy was slariled and turned around to see what the dog was barking at. There on the grass was a long cobra, its eyes glinting evilly and its hood spread. The frightened boy clambered to his feet and tottered backwards. He foll into the river with a loud splash. He thrashed around in the deep water, shouting desperately for help. 98cn ee Du d ANXIETY, APPREHENS| FEAR (Contint HEN: 16. The colour drained to a face, a 217. Her face tumed ashen, AM2\¢ a cwopy low) in ‘eet stad aL te thouat of seeing he dscpine : Tuvan 19. His voice shook as he spoke. Svgolek _ 20. SI le screamed in terror. 21. She had butterfies in er stomach 22. My worst suspicions and fear were confimed 23. He wore a woried look, 24. The colour drained from her face when she received the telegram. 25. He looked as if he had seen a ghost. 26. He rummaged through the shelves and produced a thick file. He flipped through the pages and read in silence for a few minutes. As he read, he seemed to ‘grow more and more excited. 27. A few agonising moments trickled by. Being all alone, @ terrible fear aripped my heart. 28. Three or four quick steps and | was facing the front door. A slight push and the doors were ajar. As I stepped in, darkness enveloped me. The air inside was damp and heavy. To be in such a forlon place at such a dismal hour made me apprehensive. 29. Struck with fear at the horrible sight, | dashed out Of the door screaming into the darkness and rain. | ran madly along the road with the wailing wind closely following me. 30. Rosli closed his book and switched off his bedside jamp. He pulled up his blanket and snuggled into his soft mattress. But he could not sleep. He lay in bed for a long time staring at the ceiling and thinking of the interesting book he had just read. sod wih lear sled rooted [uted tothe tnd Te wevesalved tothe shadow. — pared on ‘brow. | had the feeling that my id no longer hold the weight of my body. 31. Pet swe: knees cout was stiff with tension and there was 32, The it wae Sty heat as 0 tbl tg had happened. mybreath and my heart was pounding wildh 33. Lh swiped off the cold sweat tickling down my. forehead with the back of my hand. 34. Her face was gaunt and files but she still managed a faint smie torchlight and the lights of faraway si 35. Guided by only a Fe coo, we walked solemnly inthe dark, hus Le together and singing softly, keepin J Rite Spice Sec gle amma ere for suspicious sounds. At one point, we ran when we heard a noise which suggested that a tiger was on a rampage or a hungry vampire lusting for warm human blood. 36. Adrenaline surged / coursed | raced through my body /veins. 37. My heart palpitated wildly as | darted wildly down ithe street, The tears in my eyes were stinging my face, My bo sweat trickled rch ran cold, at ned | was and it became hard to breathe. 39. I had to be dreaming. Pinching myself, | tried desperately to wake up from this dream. Cursing at the very real pain it caused made me realize it wasn't @ dream, 40. When | saw this man, somehow | knew, somehow { felt, somehow | was told by the faint, trickling sensation in my stomach, that life's end was near. But | was wrong. Thad to be. 41, My hear footsteps. ckened with. of m hatbwnanda 42, Midway through a sitcom | heard-a siren, then the ait palpitated overhead. Parting the blinds, | saw a helicopter zeroing in on the neighbourhood, aiming its light cone down onto the boulevard just east of us. 43, Quick thoughts ran through my mind and my roaring body which was about to explode. The adrenaline that passed through my body was now unbearable, | could feel the thin hairs on my arms and legs turn to goose bumps. | couldn't help but hold my breath when, | saw her enter the room. | could feel my 1oing out of control. My eyes quickly swelled; and tears quickly came to my face. 44. Lbecame anxious, squirming in my seat. My mind, was filled with nostalgic memories. 48. felt butterflies is in my stom: ts ‘abou! like a small circus. My face grew red as my smile grew wider. The excitement arew; | was unable to speak. My body started shaking and if anyone touched me, | ‘would have exploded. 46. became anxious, squirming in my seat. My mind was filled with nostalgic memories. 47. Grasping at my chest due to lack of ar, | regained ‘my breath and started to evaluate the situation and think about what my next move would be. 48. We both stopped straight in our tracks when we saw something that almost made us faint. 49. | always pondered the question'late at night while my family was sleeping so no one could hear my desperate cries. | knew | had a problem but | had no idea how to handle it. How could anyone possibly understand what I was going through? | didn't want anyone to know my secret.Rite Spice 50, (Nxt EAR (Continued) in my emeMmber being so nervous that | had butterflies. MY, Stomach, my palms were sweating hortbly and My hands were trembling uncontrollably. 51. After what felt ike an eternity, suddenly the doctor becai me somewhat evasive, almost secretive. | was 2xasperated, determined to find out what was wrong with my son's lab report. | inched my way over behind “ofthe curtain, so | could overhear bits and pieces of the doctor's conversation. They were discussing things like 8 low haemoglobin count and a high white blood cell Count. Then | heard it, the most devastating word | have ever heard a doctor say - leukaemia, 52. My voice trembled and my mind started to race. 53. Lwa: licament, trapped like a rat! | didn't want to spend the whole night in the lobby! 54. Suddenly, as if someone had thrown a giant switch, the air became charged with heavy, palpable electricity. that indescribable but unmistakable by- Product of intense fear. We saw terror flash across the workers’ faces before we even saw the motion. 55. My body began to quiver and tears began to fil in the comers of my eves. 56. It was about 2.36 in the morning when she was suddenly awakened by the front door slamming shut THUD! The table next to the door, kicked by an outof- control foot, crashed to the floor. Her father had just got home from the pub, drunk as usual. 87. She had been sitting on the sofa in the dimly illuminated living room. Her finger rhythmically flipped the pages of her book but she wasn't paying any attention to it 58. She clutched the flowered quilt close to her. As she listened to her parents’ harsh words bounce back and forth, past fights flashed through her mind. A surge ‘of fear swept over her as she thought about just how angry her father always got when he was drunk. 59. As her father’s hand made contact with her mother's face, Angela gasped. She had never seen her father hit her mother before. Her mother, knocked off balance by the biow, stumbled sideways and tripped ‘over the sofa leg. As she fell to the floor, she smashed her head on the sharp edge of the coffee table. Blood started streaming down her pale face. A bright pink imprint of his father’s hand was stil visible on her left cheek She was paralysed with fear. 60. Ihe blood was so dark and scary. She let the phone dangle from its cord as she ran into the living room. Her father, stunned by the chain of events, grabbed a blanket and pressed it to her mother's head. 61. "Police!" they screamed, "Out of the car. Hands on top of your heads. Face down on the ground. Move!" A boot slammed into my back. Gravel cut into my skin, Stee! bit into my wrists. Fear filled my mind. 62. | sipped my coffee slowly, my hands shaking nervously. 63. nveloped me, My heart pounded and m throat consiricled, It was dificult to speak. 64, Hopping out, | took my handsaw (the only saw | ‘owned) and knelt and sawed feverishly, my wife idling byin the car, ready to go at a moment's notice, | cocked ‘an eat for any passing traffic. 65, My head was flooded dl my eyes, pushing back frantic Images. | inhaled my surroundings, trying desperately to make sense of the silent riot occurring all around me. 66. My attention was drawn to a noise. My eyes wandered, searching for the source. Something was wrong, | could sense il. My ears perked up at an ‘obnoxious noise. It sounded like the cry of a small animal. A smile ran across my face, hiding my fear. 67. Lfelt panic rise in my throat. As he got out of the car, the foriorn look on his face told me that something was terribly wrong, 68. | counted my heartbeats, as my heart was thumping so loud that even those standing next to me could hear it 69. I suddenly felt a quick but strong jolt to my shoulder, as | tuned my back to her. Her powerful hands grasped ‘me tightly and her eyes pierced mine. She had a stare that paralysed me. | jerked back and stared at her, speechless 70. Lwas paralysed, my mind and body unable to was s0 fixated on nge ai t Leout ven breathe, let alone speak. 71. Something very creepy was happening that day in ‘school. No one suspected anything wrong until the sun went down and the night swallowed the sky. 72. As started out into the cold night ar after my usual evening music lesson, | heard a moan. It was a low hardly noticeable sound, but beautiful and musical in its own way. The moan came from my left and | began to slowly walk toward the sound, Many moans joined the first and they subsided into a hysterical shrieking, | broke into a-run and soon found the source of these horribly musical sounds. 73. Sweat stung his eyes and his tungs felt as though they were about to explode. Trees began to fall around hhim as he races along a small warn path in the heart of the jungle. The strong vibrations almost knocked him Off his feet. The smell of rotting flesh filed his nostrils as he began to gasp for fresh air. He realized that the putrid air around him was coming from the monster on his heels. Glancing over his shoulder, he let out a slight cry as he raced with renewed strenath. 74 | was taking the garbage out, when suddenly everything disappeared and | could see nothing. It was absolutely black. The sun seemed to have been blotted from the sky. The nothingness engulfed me. | felt fear - touchable fear, _——-house, and my whole fami ma ruse a my wie ami enn Lin aceam, or mga os house. 76. closed my eyes for a second, and found myselt in 2 different world, & completely biz: tot of things that | saw were f 1d weird. There was no sign any human life, and | wondered where | was, 77. As | walked to m 'y Next class, most of th that saw in the hall were In some kind of doa ne state. Their eyes were red, and it sent chills down my soi. Ligured something was incredib and at something bad would soon happen, 78. |was riveted tc Las sveted to my seat when | heard sev a from the upstairs apartment. Horrified by the shrieking voice. Iced out the door ane flight to get there, only to find ... realy took 79. Closing the door after thanking the postman, | heaved the parcel into the kitchen and set it on the table. It was the size of a shoebox. | looked it aver and noticed the return address label had been partially torn off. All | could see was illegible writing. Suddenly, the box rattled and emitted a low humming noise. 80. Silence filled the bleach-tinged air, and his eyes stared at me, unblinking. 81. [fell to the cold ground, blood running between the fingers of m ‘clenched over my ears. Aheavy footstep rocked the ground, even as the horrible screech kept tearing the early morning mist. 82. Every bone in my body froze in terror. | couldn't get back to sleep. The eerie sounds of the night, seem to echo all around me. How am | suppose to sleep in this kind of condition? Then, something really made the hairs on my back stand 83, Frightened beyond my wildest nightmare,_| continued to run until | was out of breath and I felon the Slippery weeds, face down. | was frantic and as | ted to breathe, [told myself that this could not be happen I tried in vain to convince myself as | picked my head up from the rain-soaked ground, only to be even more horrified at what | was about (0 see. very corner of the a4. They came slowly out of every co ee notery as they surrounded me. They wore the undead, the residents of this eternal neighbourhood. Men and women, rating skoletonike corpses, clad 7 dark cold eyes. their tattered burial attire. The lifes: set in their decaying faces. ‘seemed to cheapo st ying get to my feet, Trembling an ee reteamed fi jooked for the exit, but they tercfied beyond belie y sexed paver closer with 2 purpose in tel zome, sont err chad away ae they advanced, 2nd | tke stops ver some wid growng brush. SUiKing Ty eae e eer massive tee root, | ried out in pal, Dot MY neaams were silent. Looking up. | could 602 Natt Siruly advancing, surrounding me. Sensing & Rite Spice chance to escape this unspeakable horror, | summoned my legs to stand and deliver me from the certain evil that was to befall me. 185. | was awakened by the foud, intrusive sound of the ‘alarm clock and the tugging of my wife in an effort to awaken me from a bad dream. "Come on honey, time to get up!" had never sounded sweeter and more welcomed than on this day. | sprang up and quickly realized that | had indeed returned to reality. Bathed in a.profuse, cold sweat, | looked around the bedroom, appreciating every minute item about it. My heart was siil racing as my wife informed me of the screams that ‘emitted from me during my journey into that nightmarish slumber. 86. | hear footsteps muffled by the bushes, slowly coming towards me. Even though | could not see him, know he was there. My steps faltered to.a stop. | slowly raised my eyes to focus on the figure standing a few yards away from me:My breath cauaht, | tried to swallow the ius throat but it felt ike it was Ms Ise quickenes inst my wil a7. my foot nervously, beads of sweat sunnis down my face. My heart was burning with n 5s. my body trembling from fear. | looked around the classroom for support from my classmates, receiving none. 88. My stomach knotted. | fet like I was going to vomit. My body was drenched with sweat. I felt a bead of sweat roll down my side from my armpit. | plugged my ears with my fingers, squeezed my eyes closed, and put my forehead on my desk. My glasses hung from my ears 8 | gulped for air. 89. The candles danced delightfully, and the storm flashed violently. | sat on my bed, reading, my guitar sitting alone, and | heard it. A twinge, a creak. The knob on the guitar turned by itself, tightening the string, by itself. And as the string broke, the lightning struck. 90. Upon reaching my doorstep, | heaved a heavy sigh of relief and pleasure. At last, | have reached my long waited destination - home. My red, sticky palm reached ‘out for the doorknob. | was about to set foot onto the cold shiny tiles when | heard a soft whimper coming from behind me. 91. When | glanced at the notice board, a chill of ‘apprehension coursed through my body. My heart raced as | read the caption. A lump formed in my throat. LACES 4, The crowd in the hall had swelled and the air w ‘gating a bt sting 2. The youngsters were hunched over the consoles in the video arcade, frantically working their fingers to beat the electronic machines and the addicts fork out large sums of money feeding them. 3. The canteen is crowded with jostling pupils trying to buy their favourite food. The din is terrific as the prefects try unsuccessfully to keep the pupils in line. ‘The boys push and shove as hunger is a very powerful force. - 101-Se) 4 | gq SEOWBEDE! could hardly believe respectable, myself when | saw B golden sOokiNg adults involved in what looked tke ‘ 'y were literally tearing at the clothes on Sale. No quarter was given or asked. It was sheer ‘madness, Manners, courtesy and shyness were thrown aside as they grabbed at the dirt-cheap clothes, (Continued) Son Shak was strolling leisurely along the street. }ome street pediars had displayed their wares on the Pavement. Ishak spotted some attractive trinkets and fings. He bent down to examine them. The pavement was crowded with pedestrians. Ishak felt someone brush against him. He tured around and saw a long- haired boy disappearing into the crowd. He thought Nothing of it at that time. Later, when he felt into his trouser pocket for his walle, it was not there. 6. The whole area was a sea of devotees and spectators who had come from all over the country, Their colourful clothes added to the air of festivity, around us. The crowd was milling around the base of the limestone cliffs. Thousands of people inched their way up the steps which led to the caves. Clutching my father's hands tightly, | squeezed my way through the crowd. My mother followed closely behind. When we reached the huge cavern, some devotees carrying gaily decorated “kavadis” entered. The crowd pressed back to make way for them. | stumbled backwards and lost my hold on my father’s hand. | tried to make my way towards my parents but the surging crowd carried me further and further away from them. | soon realised | was lost in this sea of people. | searched in vain for them until | was tired and footsore. 7. Gradually the crowd peters out and soon the bells goes signalling the beginning of the rest of the lessons. The students trudge wearily to their classes and some stall for as long as possible before moving, Like worker ants they make their ways to the classrooms. Like soldier ants, the prefects move the opposite way to the canteen, they have to eat too, whatever is left. 8 crawled inch by inch forward. Obviously we were not going to reach our destination on time. He thumped the wheel impatiently, muttering curses under his breath. There was nothing we could do except hope that the traffic cleared soon. DEATH 1. She succumbed to lung and breast cancer after a rotracted illness. To think of her is to think thought mingled now with sadness and joy. The sadness is real because the pain in her passing is real. Yet the joy is real as it reflects a life lived fully. To think of her is like thinking of a powerful force of nature; for her love was as wild and wonderful as her rage. This dear sister had a profound love for people - poor people, black people, anyone who rebelled against injustice. She simply loved real people. But phonies beware! She could read you like a script and blast you with the heat of the summer sun. And like-the force of nature, her great and terrible gifts left many of us in awe and wonder. 4 2. She passed away in June, after a Jong battle with lung cancer. Although she has left this world physically, Rite Spice she_continues to live on in-the hearts of those who know her, 3. Qur loss is monumental but it pales to the loss of her beloved husband and companion. To see those two together was to witness one of the greatest love matches of our time. Yet, although there is sadness, there is stil joy to have known her, to have shared laughter with her. To have felt her great spirit is to have shared the joy of her being, Itis that joy that we celebrate. itis that joy that we remember. It is that joy that will remain in the heart of each of us as long as life lives, 4. During our sojourn together we encountered both ‘004 times and rough times, harmony and friction, joys ‘and sorrows - but through it all | never had a moment's doubt that she had the oppressed people's best interest at heart. 5. Death is never eas J with. And death is something that you cannot help. If anyone close to you is ever on his death bed, you should not expect everything to be good and everything to turn out just lke it does in the movies. Chances are everything won't turn out and you will end up having a lot of hurt and a lot of resentment from being naive like | was. Death is an itteversible event and it is better to adjust your life accordingly and live on, instead of being miserable for the rest of your life. 6. Although, their deaths filled et_with enormous sadness, | was able to rationalize their passing because they all died after living full lives. 7. When | was forced to deal with the death of a close friend, itthad a mu rofound affect on me. Her death turned Fld upside down an 1ed ms life tremendously. The remembrance of her life will continue to affect my personal growth as:well as my self-identity for a lifetime 8, When death occurs it comes with shock, pain and Perhaps a sense of betrayal. Knowing about death is rot the same as experiencing first hand the loss of a loved one. Whether death occurs as a result of a long- term illness or something as sudden as a car accident, nobody can prey for the true ramifications thé someone's death will have on the surviving. 9. She had lived a Jong and fruitful life and is now ready to rejoin her husband. She was going to die. We had just watched her go through another episode of convulsions and did not think she had any more energy when she rolled towards me, raised the corners of her mouth in an altempt to smile and stretched out her hand for me to hold 10. Every ife isa gift and every love a joy. Death seer fo take it all away, Yet not everything is lost. That love ‘can continue to live through the act of remembrance. 11, Close to death encounters makes you realize how life really is and why Ne arount should never be taken for granted. 12. Itis nota matter of letting go of the pastor forgetting itis a-matter of accepting an in, The act of dying is one of the acts of life 102 -staccato of = e2akS the words come out I cealo of a machine-gun Wher he is-excied” and Sew ou, woud Panay EE al which his ware auc face wah cur hac nal to L speed saliva. woid the spray of his high 2. My Mathematics 3. He is hardly for rgetful as far as his work i concerned. He marks cur exercise books wit he utmo: ind is extremely punctual in returning t hem {o us. Whatever problems we take to him, he can ble jem at a glance. He explains painstakingly and appears to understand our difficulties and shortcomings better than we do, 4. He is every inch a gentleman and is more generous than anything else. All his pupils have easy access to him for quidance in their studies. Those who feel shy of approaching him will be scolded and chastised for not availing themselves of his help. He has financially helped many a bright and needy pupil of his. 5. He is never heard shouting at his pupils nor does, he ever report any of them to the principal. He has a knack of passing witty remarks at the cost of the offenders that they dare not do anything to attract his, notice. 6. The beggar stations himself at his usual corner, places an old newspaper on the floor and sits down on it. He then holds out a battered old tin cup in his scrawny hands and beseeches every passer-by to give him some money. 7. Our mathematics teacher was a hefty six-foot muscleman. The very sight of this no-nonsense Hercules made us pay attention in class. One could say that there was the proverbial “pin-drop silence’ whenever he was in class. Needless to say we did very well in mathematics. We simply had to as it was belter than being a target for him to exercise his muscles on 8. Our English teacher exudes_an ait of sticiness that would pat an army sergeant (0 shame. Wo could ‘with words that rot fool around with her. She had @ way od Would make anyone fee! smal er omens fais Language was. astonishina-and maadcel Te argue with her was to get a barrage of words Ne A had no reply for. So to avoid being stung Dy 'n lady we usually did 28 told ler hair is white he is about seventy years old. H % SI f her neck. Her face is creased with wrinkles ver ears. canines het eniy jewellery nang loosely from n kon and when sho soa 10. Her cheeks are sunkel TA tattered sari she reveals her toothless Rite Spice draped carelessly around her thin, undernourished body. Years of toil and. it her shoulders and given her a slow shuffling wall 11, This feeble, old woman rarely accepts charity. The fierce pride is the only thing that keeps her alive. She has children with homes of their own but she will not make a burden on her children. 12. He was an old man, bent with the years. A stubble ‘f grey halt grew on his chin. He was almost bald and {hg litle haic he had on his head was sivery grey. His cheeks were sunken and the skin on his face was wrinkled and rough. But his age never showed in his ‘2v28 which shone brightly ll the time, like those of young men whose life was full of adventure and excitement. 13. When an intelligent guy is also hardworking, you get a combination that is almost unbeatable. This is reflected every time we have a test. There was never a time when he failed to get the highest mark. Others try late him but they fail far short. 14. He is totally inept in physical matters. His under- used body is so scrawny that 2 boy half his age would hhave more strength and energy. In the long jump he gave a pathetic half-metre hop and ran across the pit. ‘The pain on his face was evident when everyone booed him. 15, A beggar sits on the steps, arms outstretched ‘eves pleading for alms. He stinks of cheap liquor. 16, ite, sympathetic, honest and has word for everybody. He has an impressive personality, and is very handsome. Throughout, he has been the best student in our class. He is not only intelligent but very industrious. Consequently, he is doubly blessed, possessing wit and the will o use it. 17. The shoppers come in droves. Some walk past the beggar without even noticing him. Some pause to look at him with pity, disgust or revulsion. Yet some chastise him for being diy and unwashed. He does not care a hoot what others say or think of him. 18. He lost one of his legs through an accident and {rom an active sportsman he was reduced to a reluctant spectator. | could see the anguish on his face as he watched others run around freely while his movements, were drastically curtailed. 49, His height was diminished by nearly an inch because his one leg could hardly bear his weight. As such his remaining leg was bowed due to the extra strain on it, He had tried artificial legs but they created more problems and he had resigned himself to hobbiing around on his crutches. 20. He weighs 260 pounds and stands at merely 5 feet two inches. He looks lke a ball and is so fat that his hands sort of dangle from his shoulders. He attributes his obesity to “something wrong with my glands’ ~ 103 -IN OF PEOPLE in The moment we a alighted from the bus we saw a ae of athetic-looking old people staring at us. The were a pine Sight on us was immediate. Normally we "3 2 bunch of chattering hyperactive monkeys who Gis not know what silence was. The ravages of time ‘ad taken their toll on them, Th Just stared at us with ‘mouths agape. “at 22. ‘He was about 60 years old, judging from the ‘Sparse hair on his head and the withered look on his hands. 23. "tis always a pleasure to reminisce about the past once in a while. Nostalgia trips, if not done too often, can be quite refreshing. As | glance at the pile of old Photographs, | caught sight of some photographs of ‘my parents just after their wedding. Compared to what they are now twenty years later, the difference is startling, My mother now is about twice the size she was and my father now struts with a recently acquired potbelly. 24. The old nyonya woman spoke with an unintelligible brand of Hokkien and Malay. She was incredibly fussy and would sweep and wash her porch several limes 2 day. All the time she performed her self-inflicted chores, she would mutter to herself unceasinaly. Her Obsession with cleanliness sometimes spilled over to Us>At times dirt or some leaves from our potted plants would be blown to her porch by a breeze. This would set her off into a frenzy of verbal abuse. | could hardly ‘make out anything she was mumbling about, but | knew she was hurling abuse at us for the teeny bit of leaves that had littered her porch. Sometimes our patience was sorely tested but it was no point arguing with the ld lady who obviously was not in her right mind, 25. The bread seller was a good-natured chap. He would always.be singing a song to himself. This chubby-faced jovial quy certainly endeared himself to his customers. He presented quite a sight on his motorcycle. 26. used to be a spoilt brat. My parents were well off and | usually got what I wanted. | had no lack of luxurious things, much to the envy of my classmates and friends. Whenever a new product came out, all | had to do was make a hint to my parents and sooner than later the new thing would be mine. 27. Next to the entrance to the shopping mall, throngs of people gathered around a very shrunken old man. | had seen many beggars before but never took more than a cursory look at them. This one caught my attention as he had no legs. He only managed to slide along the ‘ground with the help of his thin, feeble hands. | was deeply moved. Tears flowed out of my eyes and | had to run ito my car to avoid embarrassment. 28. His crisp, black hair frames a ost fa When he smiles, which is often, his eyes sparkles and imples appear on his cheeks. He is small-buill and has rather weak health but this does not stop him from being one of the most active boys in, the class. ed rather.nervous and 19. The three young men seeme cZeited about something. The paced up and down, talking in Jo sand frequently glancing at their watches, One was tall and aged about twenty-five. He hhad a thin moustache and a stubble of beard. The other two men were shorter. One was rather plump and about five feet four inches tall. There was a tattoo of a snake on his left arm. The third man had longish hair. He was about twenty-three years old and had a scar on his cheek. 30. Her hair, flat and mousy, was plastered against her shrunken head. Her eyes were sunken into her head, They were dark and murky like a sour pond. Grandma's tiny_trail body went almost unnoticed in the large bed. ‘A mere skeleton of a hand reached towards me and patted the bed, When | went to her, she allowed me to sit on the edge of the bed. | took her weak dry hand, which was light as a feather, in mine, She had an oxygen tube snaking from her nose. 31 her round chubby face bou S. white curls. The curls flow freely with her every move. Her cheeks glow bright pink against her pale skin. Her lips pucker and sink into her mouth because she won't wear her false teeth. My mother's refusal to give up has taught me “immensely about accepting the responsibilty of my own life. Obviously, | will face adversity and will struggle, but that is what life is about. As | continue leaming, my mother's influence is still a powerful force in my development. Her honest and enthusiastic approach 1 life's twists and turns offers fresh insights to handl th success and fail ‘She sang the lead vocals and had a crystal clear solve. She carved out every word carefully before letting them fall, 34. So there he was, leaning casually against a pillar, when a pretty young girl of about twenty swept into the waiting area. She had long brown hair and high, t cheekbones, and was dressed in a flowing electric blue dress. Her necklace and numerous bracelets.on her wrist told him that she rich: He: eyed her handbag greedily 38. He is 2 person with. boundless eneray and single- minded drive. He is a fishmonger but bemoans the fact that he is still a retailer. He aspires to be a wholesaler 50 that he can eam more money. His stall is always crowded with buyers. Coupled with a smooth tongue ‘and an ever-smiling face, it is no wonder that his natural charm seems to have a hypnotic effect on the buyers. 36. was_an_old greying lady, clad in toas from a bygone era. Her hands were old and frail, and her eves had lost their youthful glimmer. She shuffled around the store, pottering around unceasingly, 37. When | met her, | expected her to be overdressed and desperately trying to mask the ravages of time. But there were no scary make-ups, no hair spray and no high heels. The mass of hair is pulled back. The toothy arin had lost a litle of its sparkle, 38. A breeze brushed past, teasing the thin strands of her shoulder-lenath hair. = 104 -DESCRIPTION oF . air woohoo the masks | wear. His streetwise wisdom strips off all the layers of my soul, leaving it open to scrutiny retension 41. My relationshi ip with him has been dependable ones i pce ee in my life because I trust him implicitly. There ino hankyaorky wh anand ute motives - that's what makes it so comt 130 comfrabie He Na true friend in my times of need. = 42, Mike is.no paragon. He is neither sinner nor saint; he is abit of both. He does not hide his weaknesses, neither does he boast of his strenaths, that is what makes him so refreshing and what he says so acceptable. We have had our fair share of squabbles and we have hurt each other now and then, but we have always made up because a friendship lke ours is worth fighting for. 43. | remember her as the prettiest girl in campus. No, pretty is not the right word. She was unbearably beautiful. She had a long whip of coal-coloured hair, so black that it seemed nearly blue. Her skin was cream- white, her dark. lash nding i nd eves. 44, My daughter was born at a time when CD-ROMS were flooding the market. Besides browsing in the library in her leisure hours, she also started reading stories from CD-ROMS at the age of four. We were dazed to find that she could relate stories back to us with full intonation, just the way she heard the animated characters say itn the CO-ROMS. 45. People had advised her to remarry for the children's sake, But she refused. She treated her children as her i is and the most important thing; she loved her husband and her children too. She hoped to full her husband's wish of not letting his children stan and educate them as much as possible. She invested all her dreams and hopes in these four children and T asked to be repaid. She never prayed for riches and fame: she only hoped they would always be healthy and live comfortably. 46. We have all heard stories of mothers who have tndergone untold suffering to bring up their children jothers" i these stories are Of course, during Mothers Day. al tes sores 2 Of couree utes spevialmoliers ace dven awatds nsathed and He tts tn, ot aways Ne S11 husband either will be about some poor woman whose ! died or abandoned her with a cartload ene Hence the poor woman is forced to eke oul a liv menial jobs. ung gil. He himself, was 47. Aman walked in with a young git ar a fecal 2 worn out playboy who had enjoyed @ Rite Spice lifetime of drinks and fatty foods that would surely lead to a coronary bypass. His batik shirt stretched across fis jumbo paunch, while the pants hung low, allowing several spare tyres to make their escape and produce ‘an overhanging belly. n fact the only thing, stopping those tyres from setting down on his knees was the belt holding them up. He held the young gil in an almost vioe-tke grip around the waist, as if he feared she might sprint off like a SUKOM athiete. 48. My mother was a mum in every sense of the word. ‘Along with my father, she fed us, clothed us, imparted ‘us with dood values, and most of all she brovght us up lo be good human beings. 49. My mum and | don’t behave or talk ike sisters, not do we bicker constantly. We talk, we laugh, but most of all we got along. My mum never walloped me, abandoned me nor did she ever embarrass me. In fact, she's the type of mum most people want, 50. While Fathers’ Day may not be celebrated with the same gusto as Mothers’ Day, it is important to acknowiedge the part your dad has played in your ie. My father reminds me of Chartered Bank - big strong and friendly. And like a bank, he was forever encouraging us to save for a rainy day. Even when the ‘economy was robust, my father was big on savings because he knew that the future was never certain and there would be a time when we would eventually have to fallback on our savings. He often encouraged us to ‘excel in whatever we did and is always available to listen to our problems. Not many fathers communicate with their children effectively. At least my father listens when we whine endlessly about how unfair ie is 51. In many ways my father spoilt us. He bribed us to do well in exams by promising to bi wanted if we did well. He never walloped us, and yelled ‘only when necessary. Most of the time he contented himself by being there for us and trying to be the best dad he could possibly be. 52, My fiend lost her father when he was 86. He had high blood pressure, but savoured being a happy-hours junkie, and a two-pack smoker til the day he keeled over and died, His doctor had cautioned him many times to dry up and wit the wicked weed. But ike many others who hide from the truth, the father always ‘compared himself to those who indulge in all kinds of debauchery, and still have long lives. So much for escapism. The truth always hurts 53, He was a promising student, he was expected to score a least five distinctions. Seven would have been a better bet. Then one day, he got hold of marijuana. Not realising the potential effect it could have, he mixed it with the nicotine in his cigarette. Smoking it made hhim relax, daydream and lose all sense of time. He was easily hooked. Later he graduated to a stronger ‘drug called heroin 54. He throw a slight, suspicious glance at me. His swealy-moist face is as pink as a ham, his breath shallow, and his great belly lops out over his belt and the top of his jeans. His eyes are red-rimmed and tired. = 105 -Rite Spice si tS EOPLE (Continus ek a tBe adlestves to flood your mind when she the net the Foom, stunning must surely be on top of nt; She exudes confidence and easily lighs-up the foom, It is not hard to understand why the judges nlmously voted her Miss World al the beauly Pageant. The leggy beauty won the crown because her Roise and vivaciousness stand out in a pool of Candidates who fumbled with their speeches, or otherwise made mistakes during the crucial final round. She kept her cool and recited a verse from WB Yeats: Im dreams begin responsibilities... and expressed a desire to help fulfil the dream of others. 56. Our training officer was a hefty, burly, muscular 1.67m bloke with a very loud and thunderous voice that, could be heard a mile away whenever we incurred his displeasure by coming late for practice. It happened to me one day when | was just a minute late to fallin line with the others for his inspection. He came straight up to me and bellowed with his thundering and ear- splitting voice, this very sarcastic, knife-cutting and outrageous “military-style” language of swearing: “Look here. You outright darn dim-witted, dumb fellow! Let ‘me tell you that | don’t give two hoots and couldn't care- the-less if you had not even 40 winks last night but let ‘me bloody tell you at this moment that when you are on. paradé, you are to be here on the dot.” Although that incident occurred a long time ago, but to this day, | can still remember vividly as though it were only yesterday. Thi ue-lashin ince ingrained in me thé iy ssson about punctuality till t 57. My mother taught me some valuable lessons during my. growing years. One of them was on how I should behave when | visited the homes of others. My mother told me that | should at all times be polite and grateful. for the hospitality shown to me. Even if all 1 received was a glass of cold water for refreshment, | was taught to thank my host before leaving. Under no ‘circumstances was Ito insult them in anyway by making critical remarks about the food, decor or comforts offered to me, no matter how appalling they may have been. was not even allowed to comment on the way they brought up their children, even if the pesky brats were driving me up the wall, 58. My mum is a strong woman. ‘Nothing is impossible” may be the maxim that helped her through the difficult days. She always upholds her principles ind never gives up on any baffling problems. She has ‘overcome a lot of dificulties with her persistence in,the past. She lost her husband in her 30's: he had left her with three children and an eleven-day old baby. She could not attend her husband's funeral because she was stil in confinement. It is terrible to lose your loved ‘one but itis even worse when you don't get a chance to have a last meeting with him 59. Her warmth, her humour, her kindness were like rays of light beaming into that stark ualy visiing ’oom, Sh jown to earth, intelligent, and brimming with energy. The more [came to Knowher, the more | admired her. sie broinér used Nis “twaye-win 60. This time my fast and sni h strategy’. He blinked his e! loop breath he opened his mouth wide and began. artificial cry. 61. My dad continued his harsh.murmuring while leaving. Unintentionally, | ook a look at my dad's face. It was strict, angry, cold and harsh. Why did he face me with such an expression? His serious look and {tightening eves were blaming me as if | had cheated in an exam, stolen In a shop, been caught by the police (or even murdered somebody. 62, in f average height and thi ith cheerful delicate pion i a.charming pixie like f 63. The man had dark brown hair, entrancing brown 1S, an Ine i, Aman ove varance made him he pinni icustworthiness. 64. He is a tall, pot-bellied man with long curly black jr and a ushy beard of the same colour. Hi F are are filed with sadness and pain. 65. She hi ium length, dark. ir own sparkling eyes which make you m A she looks at you. She is very tall and quite slim but her appearance isn't important to me because it is. her inside which jal_her warm, big heart and he ability to cheer anyone up. 66, She has lovely green eyes with a touch of hazel in them, Her smile makes you fee! warm and comfortable, and her dimples make her look for all the world like a Victorian doll, 67. If lam stuck, my friend will show me how to do it, and, if | am upset, she always gives me a shoulder to cry on. She always encourages me to do my best and. cheers me on. We have lots of secrets but we keep them hidden away, like a chestbox with a key in it 68. The person! am going to write about has short 0 bright brown eyes which sparkle when she is happy. Her faces very pretty and her smile nb Her teeth are pearly white and spark inthe sun. | ave never seen her down and, no matter what happens, she always has the maical smile. Her face lights up when she sees you and her eyes narrow when she is mad. | have never seen her put her needs before anyone else's and she always make life fun. ler laugh fills people with hope and jo) echoes found and round, 69. She thinks she weighs a lot but | say she is huggable. The way she throws open her arms and sps them round you and squ ou till you for roubles is nice, You can tell this person anythin¢ and trust her with your life, 70. She was also listener who made me fee! my comments were of importance, and a confidante 10 could always be trusted, 71. She wore a shimmering pink gown and four-inch els: her platinum bionde hair was ina French Twist broke into @ heavy sweat when she approached ie. = 106 -worker transporting another for a town. male stared off blankly 74. His skin was pale and dry, we unishment of the-deterarain ee strands of greyish white hair lined his almost ig, t dandruff infested scalp. Looking at him with hi with his characteristic limp, slouched posture and bulging belly ‘one might think him an extremely unatheletic person, 75. When | looked into her soft blue eves, | was completely under her spell i lardly showed the of worry and stress, but his white bushy eyebrows and growing second chin showed his old age. His smile greeted me. As | drew close to him, his aging arms reached out and wrapped around my body pulling me into a warm, loving hug, 77. She had kind sympathetic eyes, which would look up at me periodically, and seemed to feel every word | spoke. 78. She had tubes in her nose, Her head was bandaged heavily, her arms in casts and her neck ina brace. She had a long cut along her right cheekbone. 79. He spoke in his usual emphatic, animated manner, 80, On the inside, he was just a regular kid. He liked to hang out, play video games, and see movies. But on the outside, he wasn't so normal. He had been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at age seven and a year later had been confined to 2 wheelchair led himself down the halls at xers and stifled laughs from that they were commenting 's and his pale, bruised 81. Whenever he wheel! school he would hear snic! his classmates. He knew on the sickly look of his imbs face. ling hard on a dirt road 0 rman wos stu 2 et ama very not dy. He oked tke Ne f Tou ena bath for 2 long time. From the look his diny, tatered clothes and his bare feet, One could ay that he was a homeless Perse He pressed on or va heavy breathing and cesasionaly sipped Ast heavy breathint owine the sweat off his forehead. Lille croplels of sweal ls the sides of his tann’ met her 83, Her facial features were very Sof, yetif you d name. She also ha ‘once, you would never forget sath Wj sparkle 0 bright the deepest green eyes thal th, she would when she flashed her pearly whl Rite Spice light up ani entire room. Everywhere she was, there would be laughter, smiles and happiness spreading ‘out like some sort of delightful virus. 184. She seemed to know everything. Anytime | had a perplexing question | knew she would know what to tell me. Her wisdom spanned several subjects. Everything from the textbook things they wanted me to learn in school, to the life lessons that there are no textbooks for. She taught me by example. She showed ime that it was just a waste of my time and energy getting mad, upset, angry or so irate that | allowed myself to be controlled by my emotions. She was always calm, patient, and even-lempered when faced ‘with people who were less than pleasant to be around. earned from walching her deal with people that being rice never fas 85. He would take a few wobbly steps. then fall. To my surprise, there were no alligator tears or red blushing cheeks. He would look up at me with a determined ‘rin on his face, and get up and do it again. No ego to stop him and no pride was hurt 86. My mom is a petite lady whose mouth never turns upward into a smile. Her hair is 2 dull brown with the slightest wave. Her glasses ate carefully perched on ‘with her pierci ss looking out them, 87. | noticed an old man was staring at us. The strange thing was he looked at us with a straight face and eyes that gave me the creeps. | noticed he didn't ‘even blink his eyes once. After a while, that old man smiled at me, and to my horror, his face slowly changed! ‘Then, there it was, a gory looking thing, with sharp fangs on his mouth and blood all over his face. | was petrified but | was stil staring at him. | could not move ‘a muscle and | just sat there numbed. The old man then slowly stood up and walked towards me. However, he disappeared into thin air after a few steps. 88. It wasn't his face that had attracted her to him that day she saw him across the cafeteria. The guy was dripping with-confidence: it showed up in the way he moved. It set him apart from the other students in the room. There was something else she liked that she ‘couldn't quite put her finger on. Something that was almost eerie, yet alluring 89. sin his mid-thiries, with straight, greas brown hair and a sallow complexion. He also had sunken cheeks and a hooked nose which made him look rather frightening. He was always wearing torn jeans, and a scarf around his neck. 90. We met by chance, and circumstance had us spend lots of time together. He never did anything special or out of the ordinary. We met and we talked, about whatever crossed our minds at that moment Yet, however mundane the topic, there w. bi inspirational about the way he talked. Or maybe it was the way he listened. He knows what he loves. He knows what he wants to do with his life. When he talks about these things, his eves brightens and his voice pick ip a chythm. I makes the beating of . wpa tnt 9 of my heart skip 107.Rite Spice ESCRIPTION OF PEOPLE (C. tinued cr ten ' am with him, feel that | am ‘special. | feel ere is nothing in this world beyond my capatilies. He listens to what | have to say, as. iF it were of utmost importance. it mi it be something about the way he holds himset, the way he tits his neck asf in deep thought. He always has a halt-smile across his face and he rests his eyes intenty on min. | might hove found that unnerving, but his eyes are soothing, They command peace. With his gaze on me.I find mysell yearning to be the image he sees - a simple gil with a vibrant soul. 92. I looked into his dark eyes. | saw no evidence of tears, but still | knew he was crying. The years of physical and mental abuse had taken a toll, He had ‘numerous scars on his body, He was painfully thin, so. jaunt that hi 10 be all han feet. His muscles were wasted and | could see skin covered bones protruding. It was very apparent that he had ‘endured a great deal of agony in his short life. 93. She had got up and taken her shoes and stockings off and was wading in the shallow pools of swirling water. As | watched her longingly, my soul was nearly exploding. She was like a sea-bird that had just alighted a5 she stepped gracefully among the rocks and the swirling rivulets of water. Her skirts were pulled up above her knees, to avoid the spray of water that was dancing ‘around her feet. Her legs were bronze and smooth and the tiny droplets of water glistened like diamonds on her skin. Her hair was blowing carelessly in the warm breeze as it fell here and there around her bare shoulders. | watched her for a few minutes but | couldn't ‘see her face. | got up and began to walk towards her ‘and as I did, she turned her head around slowly. As the setting sun splashed across her face, | could see that she was without a doubt the most beautiful girl that | had ever seen, 94. The girl singing that song had the sexiest and most wonderful voice this side of heaven. No ... she must have come down directly from heaven, on loan from God to the recording studio, because no human being on earth could possess a voice like that. It made me ache in wonderful places. 95. Her veil hung back away from her face, and her white dress was tight enough to show that she had a perfect figure. She was every bit as beautiful as her voice had promised. Her mouth was slightly open in a smile, and her lips looked like soft, tiny pillows, 96. ‘The kid was staring at me, open-mouthed, snott nosed, tears coursing down his face leaving tracks his dirly cheeks, looking in my eyes. 97. He was watching me with an ualy arin; satisfaction linted in his eyes. | wanted to wipe that leer off his face with a burst from my M-16. 98. | could tall from her low-hanging belly and teats that she was nursing young ones. Her ribs protruded from lack of food. The fear and desperali in her eyes. throus 99. He talks about honour and justice with uttel ‘with tuberculosis for ten years, fre. His (ae a al labourer to feed the se a ea “1 was lucky to survive. ese gutsy young women are equally witty. fun. 100 Tiss gl fonted andsponlaneous. They are toving. Mervin brains” - a rare combination in local sarap sun forme Nas not changed them in the least Glamour is an alien word 10 them. They are siti modest, humble and pretty much their usual selves, What really impressed one on first meeting with them is their air of confidence. They may im cool but they react with compassion in expressing their opinions, fidah joins in with her 101. Yuen cracks the jokes. Rat se ions ond Azah jis nthe laugher wath her smart repartee: They are forever bursting with new ideas and there has never been a dull moment when they are around, 102. The girls do get a few proposals online, not to mention secret admirers. However, they can manage ‘all the adulation in their own stride. “It's just part of the glamour game.” quipped Yuen cheekily. DESCRIBING PLACES A. Twe of place 2. Genting Highlands is one of the 3 main hill resorts inthe country. b. Pangkor Island is a popular island in Perak © Malacca is a show place for Malaysia's historical past 6. Port Dickson is a popular beach resort in Negeri Sembilan. fe. Langkawi is an island steeped in leaends Kuala Lumpur is a shopper's paradise 9. Others: forest reserve, fast growing modem cit. angler’s paradise, aren lungs. 2. Location a. Located on the south-east of Kuala Terengganu is the tropical island of Pulau Kapas. b. The nature park is located far from civilization © Nestled amidst lush tropical forests and rolling Dlains, this secluded hideaway is sited about 20 4, fm, South-west of Sungai Petan, ‘he mail is located in the heart we malls oc f the bustl © Keealed on the outskts of town, the clubhouse is ahome away from home for many of its members. 3.Distance / How to get there The aitport is about 18km f : from the town. >. Pulau Kapas is only a 30-minute bost de from the town of Marang, The journey from Kual about a §-hour « la Lumpur to Penang is drive along the North-South highway % geo Pulau 42r0kawi, you can take a bus of d is and from there by express he. Th Park is just a breath away ftom hereRite Spice DESCRIBING PLACES (Continued) {. The resort is only a stone's throw away from the bus terminal 9. The park is just a ten-minute walk from here h The palace and the museum are within walking distance between one and the other. Access to the island is by way of a 2.5km bridge. 4, Atmosphere of the place The hill resort offers a refreshing change ftom the hustle and bustle of city life. b. The picturesque villa sa pleasant an¢ comfortable atmosphere. c. The peace and tranquility surrounding the nature park does wonders to those seeking 2 break from the hassles of living in the city. The resort, against a backdrop of green rolling hills, offers the perfect getaway for those wishing to relax and unwind, 5, Facilities a, The resort is equipped with the most state-of- the-art conference rooms and a theatre. b. Although there are no § star hotels, luxurious chalets or holiday bungalows, visitors wishing to stay overnight can enjoy the great outdoors. ¢. The building houses the reception, a supermarket, a restaurant a karaoke and a hair saloon. d. The island resort has facilities to cater to the needs of everyone - a golf course for golf ‘enthusiasts, jungle tracks and water sports for the young and adventurous and nature parks land green houses for those who wish to have a leisurely stroll DESCRIBING SCENES USING SENSORY WORDS, 41. Sounds Made By Objects babble of.a stream beat of a drum booming of a gun chime of a bell (large) chug of a train/boat bang of a door blare of a trumpet ring of a telephone chime of a clock clatter of hoofs clink of a coin crackling of wood crackling of dry leaves —creak of a hinge ‘crinkle of paper grinding of brakes gurgle of a stream hoot of a horn jingle of coins patter of feet hissing of steam howling of the wind murmur of a stream pealing of bells rating of dishes Finging of bells rustle of si tustling of leaves screeching of brakes shuffling of feet sighing of the wind singing of the kettle slam of a door swish of shirts tick of @ clock tinkle of a bell (small) ‘Sounds Made By Ani A bee hums Ateetle drones Abird chirps /twitters cat purrs ‘A cock crows ‘A dog barks ‘A donkey brays ‘An eagle screams ‘An elephant trumpets A frog eroaks Anhorse neighs A lamb bleats A lion roars A monkey chatters A mouse squeals An owl hoots A parrot screeches A snake hisses 3. Sounds Heard In The Early Moming a. | was awakened by the cheerful chirpings of a ‘multitude of birds b. Awakened by the shril crowing of the cock, | quickly got out of bed ©. My mother’s thunderous voice boomed outside my bedroom door and in a minute, | was up on. my feet. 4, Sounc Night a. The cry of a milion cicadas broke the silence of b. The night was quiot except for the hooting of the wis and the howling of doas. The might was quiet. In the distance, an owt shtieked. / The wind shrieked. 4, Inthe dead of the night, came the sound of the banging of a door @. It was a quiet night. Somewhere a hinge creaked as a door was opened. Then, came the sound of boots on the wooden fioor. f. Darkness and silence fell quickly. Then, came the {ustle of leaves. A twig snapped and a dog barked. 5, Sounds Heard In The Afternoon ‘a, The biare of a car horn tore the quiet afternoon, b. The clatter from the kitchen was comforting. Mother was clearing away the dishes after lunch. 6. Sounds Heard From A Bedroom How vivid were the sounds of children’s screams and cries, the sound of a police siren in the distance, a car ‘coming to a screeching halt and, the shuffe of feet on the gravel road. 7. Sounds Heard In A Bus Stop ‘There is a cacophony of sounds. The grinding of brakes ‘as buses are parked, the booming voice over the microphone announcing the arrival and departure of buses to the various destinations and the patter of footsteps as people rush to board the buses. 8. Sounds Heard Al A Market Place or Night a. The stalls were doing a roaring business. The vendors were shouting themselves hoarse trying to entice customers to buy their wares. b, Housewives were bargaining at the top of their voices. c. Music blared from the radios and hi-fi sets. d. The clanging sounds made by the by the metal ladles as they hit against the metal woks could be heard 9. Sight the blazing sun bleary eved chalky liquid muddy water lightning flashed gaudy clothes luminous road signs glaring search lights foggy weather wrinkled face dazzling fireworks iridescent colours lights flickered allurid sky / dress. shimmering tight smudged lipstick ruddy cheeks a florid complexion/room inky darkness. gleaming glass windows -(109 JRite Spice IBING SCENES USING SENSORY WORDS (Continued) 2» 7 ih) An Eariy Mornir scene b. Gvetything looked radiant in the early moming sun. uallaht streamed through the open window and there was a in the room. c The olanis int Bi ants a the jarden glistened with dew drops ed as if they were bathing in the earh ‘Morning sun. fee 21ASiant) At The Market or Night Market Old ladies wearing scarves and carrying small Chinese mbrellas which had seen better days, squatted behind ‘small plates of chillies, long beans and other greens. ‘Some of them, their mouths stained red from chewing betel nuts, called out as people streamed past. “Chillies ‘one ringgit, tomatoes one ringgit, cabbage two ringgit.” The bigger stalls, under large multicoloured umbrellas. were overflowing with all kinds of wares, shimmering h, glittering semi-precious stones and colourful, trendy clothes. Conversation buzzed as men stood clustered around the stalls looking at the variely of things on sale, 42. (Sight) A Village Sc¢ Under the shade of an old tree, cows stood chewing grass and swishing their tails while a small herd of buffaloes were wallowing in a muddy pond, enjoying its coolness in the stifing afternoon heat “43__(Sight) A Garden Scen¢ it was a large sprawling house with a wide verandah and an imposing pair of gates. Gazing to the left, his eyes rested on the rows of flowering plants. The garden was a kaleidoscope of colour as red, pink, cream and orange flowers danced gracefully in the gentle breeze. 44, (Sight) The Scene In A Slum Atea The panorama thal lay before him caught him by surprise. Children were running all over the place Screaming. Old women, chewing betel leaves sat hunched, staring into emply space. Young men in sarongs were either chopping firewood or watching, the children play. Young giris(exchanged shy alances ‘while their mothers sat on the steps of the verandah exchanging news and gossip. Garbage cans Overflowed and clothes lines seemed to stelch from everywhere - rom window to window and from one side of the road tothe other 15. (Sight) A Night Scene The sky above was lit up by the glow of a myriad of tin twinkling stars. The moon had come out and in the luminous light, the village lay quiet and peaceful, 16, (Sight) A House it was a rectangular building with a wide-shady veranda and many panel windows. A tiled footpath tan all the way around the house. The verandah of the house opened to a spacious lawn. 417 Touch chillylcold weather coarse sand corugated roof crispy biscuits fluffy toy/clouds calloused hands moist soll rough surface satiny skin slimy pathisteps slithering movement sweltering day s cold as ice as hot as a furnace as sharp as a needle 2s soft as woo! shrivelled skin / fruit smooth surface as brittle as glass as hard as nails, fas hot as fire as smooth as glass as tough as leather 18, Taste bland luscious minty peppery piquant sally savoury sour spicy tangy vinegary as bitter as gall as sweet as honey a8 sour as vinegar 19. (Smell) At home ‘a. The wind carried to him the aroma of fried chicken, b. The smell of fried beehoon mingled with garlic ‘and onion came from the kitchen and wafted through the ai ©. She smelt the pungent odour of incense that wafted under the crack of the door. d. The garden was heavy with the scent of jasmine fe. The kitchen was redolent with the smell of freshly baked cookies, f. The windows of the house were never opened and it smelt stale and stuffy. a) At Th 1 ‘a. One wayside stall had a large metal wok over a gas stove. From the boiling contents came a sweet fuity aroma that makes your stomach grow! with hunger and long for the pisang goreng with its sweet crispy batter and its soft, pulpy inside. b. The drains were filled with vegetable remains. There was an overpowering smell of rotten vegetables. ©. The strong smell of rotting fish hit their nostrils and they held their noses. 4. The tantalizing aroma of hot, spicy curry whetted ‘my appetite and made me feel very hungry. 21, Others Smells a. She reeked of perfume. b. He reeked of cigarette smoke. © Oneeniering the shop, one will be assailed by a vatiely of smells - the smell of freshly powdered spices, the aroma of newly blended coffee powder, the pungent smell of dried salted fish and others 4.” The house in which he lived was nearby a factory and it was never free of the odour of smoke, gas, dust and the overpowering smell of stagnant water in the clogged drains. SI TMENT 1. The vielins were) -faced and teary-eyed and ‘Spent a dreadful night at the flood relief centre. 2. Ever since he lost his job, his life has been downhill all the way. His family deserted him and he began to ‘drown his s¢ drinking. First it was whisky and brandy. Then it was toddy and beer. Now itis anything he can get hold of. = 0 - atRite Splee DESPAIR, DISAPPOINTMENT (Continuod) 3. The last bus was leaving when | was hardly 100 metres away. | shouted at it to stop. Either itwas already filled to capacity or the conductor failed to notice mo. For one reason or the other, | missed the bus, 4. We arrived at the rented bungalow but were immediately disappointed. The sea was no where in sight. To reach the beach we had to walk a kometro, The beach was nothing to shout about elther as there were rocks everywhere. Our enthusiasm was somewhat dented by how things turned out. Our expectation for a wonderful holiday certainly did not materialise. 5. My father was in low spirits when he lost his job, 6. She found herself at her lowest ebb, having no money or friends, 7. Wwas a heartbreaki ight. ‘The over The raindrops mixed with my tears my cheeks. 8. | Was theh a businessman, married with three children. However, lke all young people | made a big mistake gambling! And like all gamblers my business eventually collapsed and | was left destitute. To drown ‘my sorrows | smoked and drank heavily. Soon | became ill and could not walk. Doctors diagnosed it as cancer. 9. Fortwo years | was bedridden in hospital. After the first year the illness turned from bad to worse. | could rot sit up oF turn my body from its side. All| could do was breathe softly. Nobody, including the doctors, had any hope that I could get well again. Even my wife thought 0 and, left me. My business had collapsed; | had lost my wife and was forced to sell my house. Above all, | was a sick man. In such a situation, was it not better for me to die than to live? 10. My eyes watery, obscuring my sight, anc tears rolled down dr fied to keep my lips closed tight to avoid an outburst of crying, and Lried { ‘stop shaking. Mixed with spots of sweat, little droplets Of liquid kept dripping down, | wished { had never raised my silly request. 11. She began to weep as she turned out the lights. neliness, rage, and bitterness filed her mi he drifted off to sleep. 42. His parents sat by his bedside the whole night, ‘eaking words of encouragement that fell on deaf ears, 413, { searched deep into. his eyes and what | found there completely seized my heart and battered my soul. ‘All my restraint broke and my knees gave way. | ‘collapsed into @ heap on my knees on the cool gittering Sand, his gaze never leaving mine. | broke down, helpless tears streaming down my cheeks whilé | buried my face in my hands. 44, Lumps formed in_m) tr hem into my churning stor fet ed through my mit 45, Lstared at_them in disbelief, | was bewildered, completely astonished at what [had witnessed. What | sav caused my breath {o,be caught in my throat ani imy.chest to tighten as | gasped in despair. 46. Things only got worse. He grew more and more bolligeront as the disease progressed. She described at loast a dozen Instances when he would strike her. It had got so bad that her next-door neighbour had to ropeatadly call the police to stop his rampages. 47. Despalt engulfed me, pulling me down to her dismal sodden depths. Then, without a second though Tjumped out into the crisp, midnight ar, the yards and yards of satiny, creme sik billowing around me tke @ cloud. No sound escaped my slightly parted fips. The Costly gown fell in a heap around me as landed ike 2 ‘tushed rose. Another red stain on my side grew rapidly, {uickly matching and overcoming the other. My lips ileniy 28 out of 18. king at him only added to the th pain inside me, the agony of losing the exquisite ‘creature thal was once mine. My eyes cannot meet his face for | already know what | will find there are hatred, scorn, and disgust. And | am filed with shame. | stand there, my gaze riveted to the around, not daring to look 1 for if | do, if see into his eyes, it would shatter me to places. And then it all comes back to me. | can still remember that night, on this beach. This beach that was witness to our first kiss, that heeded to our whispers of love as we declared our souls to each other. It was @ night filed with promises of a lifetime together. Our promise that was sealed with the kiss of life and the cry of the ocean. 19. | levelled my gaze to his and his eyes found mine ‘and for a moment, time seemed to stop. There were no words, no actions, only the existence of two minds, two hearts, 20, He threw me one last long look and I saw gleaming tears running down his face. [heard his barely audibl whisper and then he was gone, leaving me cold and desolate and as barren as the desert. His goodbye still echoes through my heart 21. A wrenched cry of tormented anguish tears ‘escaped from my chest as the realization mi His eves told me that he was floundering in a depth of, misery that exceeded even my own. My hands itched to touch his face, to soothe him into a dull peace for both ‘of us, to tell him that everything was fine. But | could not. An invisible barrier stood between us, keeping me paralysed and unable to cross the small distance to ‘got to his welcoming arms and be with him. 22, A.glant lump shot into my throat and tears crept into my eves, 23. My heart sank at the thought of being stranded out here all alone, | sat down on the sand and buried my any tears, ~~Rite Spice ‘SPEEC! ith’s voice ‘bellowed from the on™! homel” Kei 2. “What is the iit leted 10 le fellow up to?" she muttered { herself as she looked into all the bedrooms. 3. "She felt a sudden chill run down her spine. “Could the story the neighbours told her about the house be true after all? she whispered to herself, 4. *Gosh, this in incredible!” | exclaimed in surprise 5. _ After what seemed like hours, he looked up. "Yes, it is valuable!” he announced, 6. “He was taken ill yesterday and admitted into hospital,” my friend explained. 7. | “Let's visit him tomorrow.” |. suggested. “Im sure he'll be pleased to see us! 8 Ws so nice to see you both,” he said, smiling hi 9. _ Suddenly Muthu gave an excited ary, “Hey, that looks like @ tunnel," 10. “We called and called but there was no response,’ said Tommy in a frightened voice. 11. “There is no way for us to escape!” he gasped. 12. “Is anyone at home?" I called out. My voice echoed hollowly and my only answer was an even deeper silence. 13. “We're lost’* Rahim said in a barely audible whisper. 14, “Why don't we follow the trail?" Johan suggested. 15. “There's no trail to follow,” Mizan snapped with a 16. “I'm sorry if I'm interrupting something,” she apologized. 17. *Stay out of my way, you filthy boy! Do not dirty my boots!" he spewed out the words with malicious glee. 48. "You haven't changed at all," he remarked as we embraced and exchanged a friendly kiss on each cheek DROWNING 1. It seemed like an eternity before my hand found something solid. | held on tightly to the capsized boat. was still under water and my lungs ached for air. Just when it seemed they would burst, lemerged above the water._It was sheer relief to suck in the cool Never before had I realised that the air was s0 sweet and soothing: 1 nile | was Water nearly took my life one day while frolicking in chestdeep water inthe sea. The td rose so quickly that | men less than a minute the water was over my hea\ ‘i ice pierced the air, | 3, “Help! Help!” il, shrill_volee looked around in_alatt wa bobbing head in the waler. With swift strokes, | swam to the drowning Ick who tcuaail the water in_her panic. | Grabbed the gil and dragged her towards the shore, ‘4, Exhausted | could only lie on the blessed sand dnd was immensely grateful that they sea did not clas me that day. | jumped into the river and swam towards the boy, Sia emirate wen |Teached Pim. He i rt put up a struggle that a drowning person is said to be fiable to. | easily towed him back to the bank. There 1 laid him down and resuscitated him by means of riicial respiration 6 le crash of the waves wa: lent replaced by a loud piercing scream. The hair on the replaced by a loud piercing scream. The hair on the 6 of my neck rose, Instinct told me that somethir was. 7. The drowning boy was frantically grabbing me with his hands and | had difficulty keeping his head above him and he thr water. Panic ari wwildky vit jis hands and legs. | grabbed hold of his hands an landed a hard punch onto his jaws. Instantly he went limp and the struggling stos 8. He untied the boat and the strong current carried Us to midstream. Neither of us knew how to row the boat. He grappled with the pair of oars, attempting to steer the boat. However, the oars were too heavy and the current too strong and in a moment the oars sipped ‘out of his hands. Desperately, he tried to retrieve the ‘oars. He leaned over the side and reached for the oars which were swiftly floating away. He lost his balance and fell into the water with a splash. He struggled {ranticall he could not swim. | did not know What to do as Lwas tertified. | shouted and cried at the same time, 9, At last.he managed to hold onto the side of the boat and heaved himself into it. This caused the boat 10 capsize and | was thrown into the water. The boat drifted away with the current. We shouted for help as we floundered in the water. The dirty, brown river water ‘losed over my head and by kicking wildly | managed to slay on the surface, gasping for air and swallowing mouthfuls of water. 10. The sun shone brightly and the water in the mining Pools glitered invitingly. Suddenly a ery for help rang in my_ears. | pedalled furiously towards the sound, Scanning the surface of the pools as | passed them The cry seemed more urgent now. | located the pool from which the cry came. I flung my bicycle on the ground and ran towards the pool tugging off my shirt and shoes as I ran, ‘1. A boy was struggling helplessly in the centre of the poo! where the water was deepest. Fortunately, | was @ strong swimmer and soon reached the boy. His he i eared below tt ater for a moment. Wher bobbed up again, | grabbed his hair. He struggled olently but [clutched his hands and, keeping his h and si wulders above the water, dragged hit he bank. im onto t WZRite Splee 12 roost ales aga. atho-undoiow hoot {ho-undortow diminished et Mi.woomed an. eternity, fo shoe sminished nd L wae able to-awimn back 13. Sh hauled him back. him back to the bone! {the.waler oul of his iynas,. is-ay0 opal and ha Then Shs cheaky amie, A wave of lot 4. The evening sun EMME of turquoise ni Su slowly dasconded bohind row 3. fall 's red ra ve tt a. . Sunsets are mesmerising as we discovered, Only when the mosquitoes started coring in howe back to reality, a oe 4. The sun is slowly sinking below the horizon, The sky is a fiery red with the last rays of the setting sun darkness is falling fast. In the town, the street lights flicker to life 5. setting eared like a burning disc, It was deep red in colour and made the sky in the wes! appeared fed too. It was an unforgettable sight 6. The sun was considerably lower in the western sky as she finally tumed towards home. There was a distinct chillin the air, but in her excitement she failed to notice it 7. Inthe waning light of the sun we sat huddled hip to ip enjoying our dinner. We could only hear sounds of appreciable grunts and audible swallows. FIGHTS, QUARRELS 4. The young man spun around and ran into the shop. He arqued furiously with another man in the shop. The sounds they made were muffled but from the ‘expressions on their faces, | knew they were both very angry. The heated argument deteriorated to shovin ‘The heated argument deteriorated to shoving ‘and pushing, | had a feeling that blows would be iraded ‘soon, 2. Others from the shop emerged to separate the furious duo. It took several hefty men to keep the two from each others’ throats. They were stil cursing each other even when their hands were pinned by the others The hot young man managed to free one of his hands to show 2 diy sign. The older man spat in reply and 1d out a host of vulgar ii i nd n observer could immediately 522 : i was, but the ones involved were bi foolish a quart by their rage and thus cannot ir own fol in the bus begins to get a bit ere i Sere ud music blaring from the loudspeaker stifling with the loud mus ‘and an old man puffing on his cheroot. The sullen- faced woman beside me had to bear the brunt of the ‘smoke. She got up, pulled the cheroot from the old man's astonished face and tossed the offending item out of the window. For a moment, the old man looked 15 though he would explode with rage. The woman stood hor ground staring at.him with defiant eyes. My (goodness, | surely would not ike to cross swords with this woman, 5. Ho lost his balance and fell backwards. crashing down heavily onto a nearby table, cracking it in half. ERE 1. | heard a loud scream of terror that was followed by an ominous hissing sound. | glanced atthe direction of the sounds and was horrified to see liquid spurting ‘out of the pipe. The naxt moment, a fieball suddenly ‘etupted where the men were standing, completely engulfing them. | heard men screaming and | could 800 four or five men in the middle of the blaze. Poor souls, they had no chance. Theirs would be a quick death, 2. Alarm bells sounded all over the place. | sprinted ‘ut of the area away from the raging fre. Behind me, | could feel the heat of the fire. Then suddenly a mighty explosion rocked the area. | was sent sprawling onto the ground. | picked myself up and looked back at the scene of the fre. The whole building was now ablaze with @ sickening red fire and the heat was unbearable, 3," Smoke floated out of the engine section and there: ‘was a strong smell of fuel in the air. A few minutes later there was a loud explosion. The whole plane burst into flames which flickered and crackled for several hours. When the flames died down the surrounding trees were charred, Only the twisted metal parts of the plane remained 4. | woke with a start. The room was very hot and | ‘could smell smoke. Ithrew on the light switch but it did not work. | got up from my bed and opened the door. ‘Smoke floated in and | cou the acrid fumes ked me. 5. People were rushing up and down the corridors and I could hear their pounding footsteps. Still wearing my pyfamas, | groped my way down the corridor. The smoke became thicker and more inating. Several hotel guests rushed out of their rooms, their faces pale and frightened. We rushed to the window which overlooked the street. Smoke was billowing out of the windows on the floors below. The flames were licking upwards and there was no doubt that our floor would soon be ablaze. (One of the women screamed hysterically. The men wore silent but we realised that even if the flames did not reach us, the building would soon collapse, bringing us crashing down among the rubble, 6. onium broke out as the residents Wied sh in to Je their belongings. They were barre from_entaring the houses by the poliemen who had cordoned off the area, 9. | saw thick black smoke bill Js. It was twilight and tho dirty black smoké rising against the brilliant red western sky was quite a spectacle. - 113 -