Learn New and Unique Words with a Simple Short Story
THE ODYSSEY
Being fed up with his current life as a salesman, John decided to go after his dream. Since childhood, he longed to cross the Indian Ocean all alone on a boat. So he resigned from his job one day and spent all his savings to buy a small boat. After preparing everything for the adventurous voyage such as 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,” mumbled 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 thrill and euphoria. He was living his dream after all. This was the life he always meant for — a life where every day a new challenge. “Yahoo!” he shrieked out loud when he saw a school of Dolphins porpoising along with 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 labyrinth 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 scrambled to keep the boat steady against the thrashing waves which were making the boat swing right and left like a pendulum. He lurched and rammed against the mast pole when one of the strongest waves shook the boat as if it were a toy. At last, it went out of his control and the boat capsized 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 shock and brushed off whatever was in his pants. It was a crab scampering on the sand. “Oh my God,” he mumbled when he saw his surroundings. Somehow, he managed to land on this deserted island full of lush green trees, white beaches, and tortoises. He was stranded here for an indefinite period.
However, instead of being disappointed or dismay with this unsettling thought, he had a broad Grin.
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. Shrieked — Utter a high-piercing sound or words
7. Porpoising — move through the water like a porpoise, alternately rising above it and submerging.
8. Labyrinth — maze
9. Scrambled — to struggle clumsily to get things done
10. Lurched — Stagger or jerk
11. Rammed — to strike into
12. Capsized — Be overturned in the water
13. Scampering — To run hurriedly with short and quick steps
14. Stranded — To get stuck at a place
15. Dismay — Concern and distress caused by something unexpected
16. Grin — Smile
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Originally published at https://englishlearningbystories.blogspot.com on June 30, 2021.
