LEARN NEW WORDS WITH A SMALL STORY
THE ODYSSEY1
Having fed up2 with his current
life as a salesman, John decided to go after his dream. Since childhood, he longed3 to cross the Indian Ocean all alone on a
boat. So he resigned from his job and
spent all his savings to buy a small boat. After preparing everything for the
adventurous voyage like packing food and water and learning basic navigational
skills, he left the Australian shores one fine Monday morning to reach the
Madagascar island through the Indian Ocean.
He wasn’t a professional sailor, in fact, he
never sailed a boat before. “I’ll cross
you,” mumbled4 John when
he began his voyage. “I’ll overcome you.” Somehow, he managed to keep the boat
steady and on its proper trail as if the skills of sailing were in his blood.
Once he could see none but pale blue water, he felt a euphoria5 and thrill. He was living his dream after all.
This was the life he always meant for – a life where every day hurls6 a new challenge.
“Yahoo!” he shrieked7 out
loud when he saw a school of Dolphins porpoising8
along the boat in the same direction.
Until Saturday evening, everything was fine and
normal. He felt like he was about to conquer the world and went into the labyrinth9 of thoughts and
visions. Suddenly, a frightening storm appeared out of nowhere causing the
waves to rise up to ten feet and winds were blowing at 80 mph. John scrambled10 to keep the boat
steady against the thrashing waves which were making the boat to swing right
and left like a pendulum. He lurched11
and rammed12 against the
mast pole when the one of the strongest wave shook the boat as if it were a
toy. At last, it went out of his control and the boat capsized13 in the Ocean. No matter how hard he tried to
swim, the rough waves kept him off. Finally, a piece of the broken boat struck
him forcefully and he became unconscious.
John’s eyes opened when he felt
something was crawling in his pants. He jumped out in the shock and brushed off
whatever it was in his pants. It was a
crab scampering14 on the
sand. “Oh my God” he mumbled when he saw his surroundings. Somehow, he managed
to land on this deserted island full with lush green tress, white beaches, and
tortoises. He was stranded15
here for an indefinite period. However, instead of being disappointed or dismay16 with this
unsettling thought, he had a broad grin17.
THE END
1. Odyssey
- a long and eventful or adventurous journey or experience
2.
Fed
up - annoyed, unhappy, or bored, especially with a situation that has existed
for a long time
3.
Longed
– Have a strong wish or desire
4.
Mumbled
– say something indistinctly and quietly, making
it difficult for others to hear
5.
Euphoria
– the experience (or affect) of pleasure or
excitement and intense feelings of well-being and happiness
6.
Hurls
– To throw
7.
Shrieked
– Utter a high-piercing sound or words
8.
Porpoising
– move through the water like a porpoise,
alternately rising above it and submerging.
9.
Labyrinth
– maze
10.
Scrambled
– to struggle clumsily to get things done
11.
Lurched
– Stagger or jerk
12.
Rammed
– to strike into
13.
Capsized
– Be overturned in the water
14.
Scampering
– To run hurriedly with short and quick steps
15.
Stranded
– To get stuck at a place
16.
Dismay
– Concern and distress caused by something unexpected
17.
Grin
- Smile
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