Unseen Passage for Class 4 - Passage 17

Passage 1 - Late in the afternoon, Karl finally reached the Snowy River. The melting snow had turned it into a violent, rushing stream far too deep to wade across. He struggled along the river bank until he found a large tree that had fallen across the crashing water. On all fours, Karl began to crawl slowly across it.

Suddenly, the boy plunged into the river when his head slipped on the wet bark. Karl struggled frantically to keep his head above the swirling waters. Using all his strength, he managed to break to the surface several times for air. Karl, however, soon found himself being drained of energy. How long could he last?

Just when Karl thought he would drown, he saw the branch of a tree hanging above the river. He told himself that he must reach for it in order to save himself. As soon as the torrents carried him to the branch, Karl exerted all his might to raise his body above the water, stretched forth his hand and grabbed it. Holding on to the branch, Karl gradually pulled himself out of the icy water.

Not far from the river, he found a flat boulder and collapsed on it, shivering and gasping for breath. The ordeal had nearly claimed his life. A relieved Karl told himself that he would never forget the terrifying incident.

Passage 2 - Mr Hartman was pacing the corridor of The Animal Hospital. I removed my gloves as I walked towards him.

"It is a success," I said, smiling. "Sage is going to be just fine."

I studied Mr Hartman's response as I sat next to him, feeling glad that the operation went smoothly. It took him a moment to contain the tremble in his lips. Mr Hartman then gave a sigh of relief. I patted his shoulder, hoping it would offer him comfort.

I assured him that Sage had awoken and was in the intensive care unit. It had survived a three-hour operation to correct the 'bloat'. Bloat happens when the stomach keeps expanding, squashing the lungs. It hinders blood flow and a dog can die in a matter of hours.

Mr Hartman leaned forward, hand clamped across his mouth. Tears welled up in his eyes as he mouthed the words "Thank you". Then, I returned the lucky charm which he had given me before I operated on Sage.

"You should be getting home," I said. "It's late and your German Shepherd will be expecting his master tomorrow morning."

Mr Hartman nodded, got to his feet and insisted that I keep the lucky charm. "For your other patients, Doctor. They might need the lucky charm. Also, it's my way of showing my gratitude," he said. After adjusting his cap, Mr Hartman eased towards the automatic doors.

Where was Mr Hartman?