The Gingerbread Man

Fares and the fish

Fares lived in Hurghada with his family. He loved swimming. He went swimming every day and trained in the pool for an hour. He wanted to be an athlete and to win lots of competitions.

Fares and his family lived close to the sports center. Sometimes he walked to the pool with his mom or dad.

Sometimes he cycled to the pool. One day, Fares got his bike out of the garage so he could cycle to the sports center.

Have you got your cycle helmet, Fares?" asked his mom".

"Yes Mom, of course," said Fares, putting on his helmet. "See you soon!"

Fares cycled thouhg the park. It was a sunny morning and he felt happy.

In the park, Fares saw his friends. They were on their skateboards.

" Be careful, Adam,"said Fares. "Why aren't you wearing a helmet or knee pads?" "I don't need to,"said Adam. "I 'm really good at skateboarding."

"I haven't tried skateboarding before," said Fares. "It looks fun!"

"Do you want to try?" asked Adam. "Yes, please!" said Fares.

Fares stood at the top of the ramp. "How high is it?" he asked Adam." I don't know," said Adam.""It isn't very high. It's easy!"

Fares stood on the skateboard and pushed with his feet. He went quickly down the ramp_ but he was too fast! Fares slipped and fell.

"Are you OK?" asked Adam. He was worried. "No," said Fares. " My leg hurts."

"Can you move it?" asked Adam. "No, I can't, said Fares.

"It might be broken," said Adam. "I'm going to call to call an ambulance."

"Oh no," said Fares. "I won't be able to swim!"

At the hospital, Fares had an x_ray.

"I'm sorry," said the doctor. "your leg is broken. Look at this."

Fares saw his bone on the photo.

"You will have to wear a cast for about six weeks," said the doctor. Fares was very sad.

At home, Fares lay down on his bed. He was angry and sad, and his leg hurt.

"Do you want to come and watch TV, Fares?" asked his little brother Wael.

"No," said Fares. "Do you want to borrow my comic, Fares?" asked his sister Dalia.

"No," said Fares. "Go away."

Later that evening, Fares apologized to his family. "I'm sorry I was rude," he said. "I know you are trying to help me. I'm angry and sad because I had a stupid accident, and now I can't swim." Don't worry, Fares," said Mom. " We understand. Let's watch a movie together." "Thank you," said Fares.s.

They watched a movie and then the children went to bed. But Fares' mom and dad were worried. Fares was usually happy and kind. "I don't like seeing Fares so sad," said Dad.

"What can we do?" asked Mom. "He wants to swim, but he can't.

The next day, Dad and Dalia went out early. When they came back, they had lots of boxes.

They took the boxes into the kitchen.

'What are you doing?" asked Mom.

"It's a surprise," said Dalia.

Later, Dad went to see Fares.

"Fares, look at this," he said.

He carried a large fish tank into the room and put it on the table at the end of the bed.

Fares looked. He could see lots of beautiful fish.

"They're beautiful" he said. "Thank you!"

"How many fish can you see?" asked Wael.

"I can see lots of fish! There are too many counts! I love them!" Fares was very happy.

Fares enjoyed watching the fish. He learned the names of the different types of fish. He fed them and kept their water clean.

Fares was happy and he rested.

Slowly, his leg got better.

"Soon I'll be able to swim, like you," he said to his fish.

After two months, Fares was better. He didn't have to wear rage casts and he could walk and run.

"Let's go to the beach! said his mom.

The family packed their things for a day at the beach.

"I want to swim in the sea!" said Wael. "So do I!" said Fare.

At the beach, Dad had another surprise.

"Put on this mask and snorkel, Fares," he said. "you can swim and breathe underwater." Fares went into the sea, and he looked under the water. He could see lots of fish!" he laughed.

THE END