The Blind Girl and the Mountain
Everyday English New Course 3 (H2) pg. 35-39
| The Blind Girl and the Mountain | |
|---|---|
| ? | |
| Details | |
| Word count | 338 |
| Book | Everyday English |
| Grade | 3 |
| Year | 1990 |
"We've done it, Julie! We've done it!" cried Elaine. The two young women hugged each other and laughed like little children. They were at the top of a mountain in the Himalayas.
"What do you see, Elaine? Tell me, please," Julie said. The snow-covered peak of Everest rose just before their eyes. It was shining white under the deep blue sky. But Julie could not see it. Slowly and carefully Elaine described the scenery to her blind friend.
Twenty-six years earlier, on the day before her eighth birthday, Julie was in a hospital bed. She was already blind in her right eye, and was now waiting for an operation on her left eye. Her father sat by her bed and held her hand, but he said very little. When he had to leave, he showed his gold watch to Julie. It was three o'clock.
She never saw anything again in her life. She had the operation the next day, but the doctors could not save her eye.
Elaine was a very good climber, but the two women had to climb for two weeks to reach the top of Kala Patthar. It was one of the most dangerous mountains in the world.
After the first few days Julie knew the task was not going to be an easy one. Elaine was very kind and helped her a lot. But Julie was always tired and often frightened. She became very ill before they reached the peak. But she never gave up. It was November 1984.
Why did a blind young woman go all that way and make all that effort?
"Yes, it sounds foolish, I know," she said later. "But it was partly because of the challenge. Also, I remember the look of trees, mountains, and so on from my childhood. When Elaine described the scenery to me, I could picture it easily."
"Blind people aren't helpless," Julie went on. "I climbed a mountain, so I believe other handicapped people can do it, too. Our climb may give them hope."
