National Adult Literacy Database

January 4, 1999

This week, we have a story written by David Whightman , from Peterborough, Ontario. David is a volunteer at the Crestwood High School library. He works Monday to Friday mornings helping to reshelve and to record books on the shelves. The students are then able to quickly find the books they need. David likes his job and the contact with the students.

The Great Storm

by David Whightman

Today, as I was walking down the streets of New York City a hard freezing rain poured down around me. The wind whipped at my face and clothes. I shivered and walked farther. Suddenly a strong gust of wind swept me. It picked up the front steps of a house and sent them flying down the street.

I panicked and began to fear for my life. It looked like a snowstorm was about to hit hard around me. And then a strong gust of wind began to blow so hard that it caused big snowdrifts to fall down on the ground. I thought I would die buried in the snow ! The snow kept on falling ! Just when I thought I couldn't dig my way out of the snowdrift, I began to cry for help, just then a police officer that passed by heard my cries for help. He stopped to see where the cries were coming from. When he saw me stuck in the snow he came over to me. The officer began to claw away at the snowdrift. Finally he reached out his hand to me and pulled me out. It was a relief to know I was still alive !