The hurricane was a nightmare.

Photo: S. Peters
At that time, I was only seven but images of that week are still as clear as if it all happened yesterday.

The Hurricane was a Nightmare
Kevin Parfait from Martinique

This story took place about seven years ago. At that time I was only eight years old, but images of that week are still as clear as it all happened yesterday.
During that week, we had to face up to the most powerful hurricane Martinique has even seen. The fact that I was little increased the effects of such an experience. I can still hear the noise of the wind blowing on the taped windows that were shaking. Outside, everything was flying or moving...trees, papers, plastics.
But the nightmare was not that part of story.The real one was after it hit. In fact, the hurricane did not cross the island only once, but three times, causing at each crossing more and more damage.
During the entire week following that event, we were not able to go out of the house. All the roads were cut off, and we did not have running water, electricity or phones.
Under those conditions, the hardest part was having no contact with the rest of my family living around the island. The feeling of thinking your close friends and relatives were dead, was really hard to stand. We stayed like that for one horrible week before everything was fixed. For me, those seven days, almost eight, were a real nightmare.

1) When did the story take place?

2) How old was Kevin?

3) What happened during the hurricane?

4) What happened after the hurricane?

5) Why does he say that the seven days after the hurricane were a nightmare?

6) If he didn't have water, electricy, running water or phones... which things couldn't he do?

Reading true stories.

Read Alexandra's story.Answer these questions:

It Really was an Earthquake
Alexandra Pacheco from Venezuela

One day my friends and I were celebrating our last day in high school at one of our houses which had a pool. We had a big party which we enjoyed very much.
When we were all in the pool, I asked my best friend, "Don't you think we are having too much fun in this party?" She asked me why I said that, and I really didn't know, but I felt dizzy. A few minutes later, my friend said, "It's an earthquake."
It really was an earthquake. It was strange because we actually enjoyed it. We had no idea that in some parts of the country many people were scared and most of them lost their houses.
For example, in Puerto La Cruz there are many house boats. Also, there are too many houses built on the mountains, and most of those houses were destroyed, so many people lost their homes.
That earthquake wasn't strong, but the weather report didn't say anything about it, so no one knew it was coming or had time to prepare for the consequences. After the earthquake, people didn't have food or bottled water and many of them died.

1) Where was Alexandra the day of the earthquake?
2) What was she doing?
3) What was the party like?
4) How did she feel while she was having the party?
5) Did she like the "feeling" of having and earthquake?
6) What happened in many parts of her country?
7) Was it a strong earthquake?
8) What happened in Puerto de la Cruz?

Let's sing a song!

Watch the video and do the activities