Tsunami

This essay was shared by my beloved English teacher during her lesson which was wrote by a student of hers.

 

 

  My eyes gazed the beach as my feet touched the golden sand. I stared at the coconut trees that were swaying to the gentle sea breeze. The cool breeze caressed my face. Further down the beach, a group of people were enjoying themselves playing handball. The smiles on their faces were as bright as the sunlight that stone on my skin. Tourists were sunbathing while the locals were having a blast in the cool sea water . I was laying under a shady tree and staring at the clear blue skies high above me. I closed my eye to the soothing sound of the lashing  sea waves. Everything was so peaceful and serene. What could ever go wrong ?

  Suddenly, my thoughts were disrupted by a distant scream. I rose up and I saw people running towards me as though they were being chased by a pack of wolves. While running, they were screaming. It soon became clear. “Tsunami ! Run for your life !” The word paralyzed me and I was rooted to the ground for a split second. Then, I could hear my brain telling me. “ Save yourself”, “NOW !” Like the speed of light, I ran as fast as my legs could take me. I stared out at the sea again and I could not believe my eyes. A wave as tall as skyscrapers appeared in the distant horizon. It was moving rapidly towards the store  will  this be the end of me ?

  Time is running out for me. If I don’t act fast, it will definitely be the end of me. I remember the words, “ God does not help those who do not help themselves.” Rather than wait for death to envelope me, I chose to do  what a wise will do. I tried to find the tallest coconut tree around . I found that potential tree and climbed as it as fast as I could. I reached the top of the tree just in the nick time. A wave that had snowballed to 10 times its original sizes hit the coast. The huge wave uprooted many trees in front of me. Amazingly my tree shook violently but did not share the fate of its friends. I was both dazzled and awed by the strength of the mighty water. How small we are against  the power of the Lord. Even the most developed nation is powerless before the might of nature.

  Fear and panic gripped me as I clung on to the tree. I could hear screams and the swish of water as it swallowed everyone and everything standing in its path. I hugged the tree while praying desperately. I waited for what seemed like hours. The whole village was covered by water. In a blink of an eye the place was transformed into a huge lake. I am lucky because the tree I climbed was strong enough to withstand the massive wave. Thoughts of my wife and children back home in Petaling Jaya come racing to my mind. Will I be able to see them again? I had bid farewell to them just two days ago since I had  promised to bring gifts for my dear children. The hotel I stayed in was by the beach. I had come to the beach to relax for a while. Little did I expect things to turn out this way.

  Time is passing. My hands are acting. I am losing hope. I hear a swirling sound. Could it be another wave? It was a helicopter hovering above me. What a relief !  Help had come in form of this search and rescue team. It airlifted me swiftly as tears of joy filled my eyes. I am jubilant and amazed at the turn of events. Words cannot describe my gratitude. I am now in safe hands.