Teacher: Phoebe

A few years ago, I had the most unforgettable Christmas of my life. As usual during winter vacation, my mother and I went to ski with my father who is a really outgoing person. However, I am totally the opposite type of person as my dad. I am an introverted person who loves to stay inside. However, since childhood, he had forced me to enjoy skiing.  

The day was December 25, 2009. We woke up early and prepared to go skiing. I continued to mutter about uninteresting skiing and my dad kept nagging at me about my complaining. However, in the end, I lost and had to obey him.

I reached the top of the ski slope. I didn't want to go down, but there was no alternative way to get out of that situation. I started to ski down. However, at the middle of the way, suddenly, I heard some really ominous sounds. I slowed down the speed to figure out where the noise was coming from but it was the wrong idea. I noticed someone ran towards me with great speed. So I tried to get out of the way quickly, but failed to do so. I crashed into the guy and rolled down the hill, first one way and then another, finally coming to rest against in a large hole at the slope’s edge. The snowboarder came to me and asked me how I felt. To be honest, I thought I was the luckiest girl in the world since I didn't feel any pain at all. I slowly skied down the slope, but after I met my family, the pain gradually grew bigger and bigger. I think my tension released after I met my family. 

Anyway, we went straight to the emergency room and figured out both of my arms were broken and my facial skin was deeply wounded by the broken goggles. I had to wear casts and have a facial treatment for two months. Since my arms were in casts, my mother helped me on everything. I could not do anything alone. During those two months, I could realize the great depth of her love. 

Ever since I experienced that worst Christmas, I have never gone skiing, because even though the accident happened almost 4 years ago, the memory of that Christmas threatened me. However, one day I finally realized how foolish I was. Finally, I faced my fear and overcame it. I decided to learn how to snowboard this winter vacation. Now I know that it is very silly being caught in a dilemma. There will be no more progress when we hesitate to face our fear. I am so proud of myself and I’d like to tell to someone who is scared to try something again.

You can do it! So start it again with a fresh heart. 

Discussion Questions:

Tell me about what you understood from the story!

1. Why did she and her dad not get along?

2. Why do you think she didn't want to go down when she was at the top of the ski slope? Please guess!

3. What were the ominous sounds?

4. What happened to her?

5. Why hadn't she gone skiing?

6. Would you go skiing, if something like that happened to you?