I Shouldn't Be Alive 2017

I Shouldn't Be Alive !

Creative Writing 3ème EURO Collège Jean Rostand, Evreux Académie de Rouen 2016/2017

C.Pichavant

Introduction

The topic

Imagine and write a story you could submit to the producers of "I Shouldn't Be Alive".

The Settings

Your story must take place in one of the following US National Parks

Crater Lake National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Nps

Olympic National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Olympic National Park Nps

Redwood National and State Parks (U.S. National Park Service) Redwood National and State Parks Nps

Everglades National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Everglades National Park Nps

Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Grand Canyon NP Nps

Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Yellowstone NP Nps

Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Nps

Death Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Death Valley National Park Nps

Canyonlands National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Canyonlands NP Nps

Glacier National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Glacier National Park Nps

Kenai Fjords National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Nps

Arches National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Nps

Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) Denali National Park & Preserve Nps

Zion National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Zion National Park Nps

List of national parks of the United States - Wikipedia Find a Park (U.S. National Park Service) Find a Park Nps

Writing Training

Activities from Book 3 Situation 2 - Enjoy English 3e (2009)

Short Stories Index

1. The day I Lost Her - Glacier NP

2. Bloody Proposal - Everglades NP

3. Frightening Fall - Yosemite NP

4. Dangerous Woods - Redwood NP

5. Picnic Preys - Denali NP

6. Dangerous Adventures - Yellowstone NP

7. Nightmare in Death Valley - Death Valley NP

8. Frozen Death - Crater Lake NP

9. An unforgettable fall - Grand Canyon NP

10. Reckless Hike - Arches NP

Seven months ago, Tessa and I were having a good time in Glacier National Park. The climate was perfect to have a walk in the snow, the sun was shining in the blue sky and the day was freezing. We were laughing out loud while doing a snowball fight. But all of a sudden, someone shouted: "Kitty, stop ! Come back !".

The day I lost her

Glacier NP

Alerted by the scared voice of this woman, we turned around and discovered a little girl who was standing on the frozen lake.Suddenly, a big crack appeared on it. Tessa quickly understood that she had to go on if she wanted to save this child. All the people were stunned but they weren't acting. Only the woman that she supposed to be Kitty's mother reacted and looked for help, she seemed so terrified... So, ignoring me, who was yelling at her to stop risking her life, Tessa took her courage in both hands and slowly, started to walk toward Kitty who was rooted to the spot.

Glacier NP

Trembling, she didn't pay attention to the brouhaha around her. Tessa was focused on the frightened blue eyes of Kitty. She finally succeeded, she took her delicate hand and, with a smile, reassured her. Tessa whispered to her that everything was going to be alright.Kitty nodded and she cautiously went ahead to hug her mother who was waiting for her daughter. Tessa, who was looking at her back, followed Kitty but they heard a suspect noise and at this very moment, Tessa knew that she wasn't going to make it. So, as fast as she could, she took the little girl into her arms and ran on the ice.

Glacier NP

They only had five more steps to go but unfortunately, it was too late. The frozen lake collapsed under their feet. Gathering her last strengths, Tessa threw Kitty as far as possible in order for her to avoid death. While she was making her last moves, she heard me screaming her name, so she looked at me and gave me that look that was saying at the same time "goodbye" and "I love you". But then, Tessa disappeared.

By Lola B., Eva B. & Elsa M.

Glacier NP

Three years ago, Allison and Shawn were in Florida, they were having a great day in the Everglades. They were on a air boat, surrounded by crocodiles. Shawn was asking Allison to become his wife, when suddenly, a crocodile shocked the air boat, and the ring fell into the swamp. Shawn dived into the water to catch the ring while a crocodile was approaching !

Bloody Proposal

Everglades NP

Allison, anxious ordered Shawn to try to climb back on the boat. She alarmed him that the crocodile was just next to him. Allison shouted at the guide that he had to help her to chase the crocodile away. In the meantime, the crocodile was biting Shawn's leg ; Shawn was screaming. The blood appeared, everybody was petrified. The guide tried to rescue Shawn. Fortunately, Shawn is still alive today but he has lost his leg. After this terrible experience, they got married with the ring that Shawn had finally found back in the swamp!

Everglades NP

By Sabine B., Estelle B. & Audrey M.

It was during winter, at night. Three friends, Justin, Martin and Jackie decided to go to Yosemite National Park in California. They were walking in the Park, they were looking for the amazing fauna and flora in this park. When they saw a lot of animals like foxes, birds, pumas and coyotes ! It was one of the best days they had ever spent, everything was gorgeous and calm. But suddenly, they saw the most spectacular scene they had ever seen ! It was an amazing waterfall, some water was streaming, a part of the water was even frozen !

Frightening Fall

Yosemite NP

It was completely stunning, but when they looked at the bottom of the waterfall, they saw something incredible : foxes and a puma were running on the ice ! Abruptly, they heard someone who was walking in the bushes behind them. Martin asked who there was. But no answer ! Someone was listening to them and was hidden ! All of a sudden, something came out from the bushes but it wasn't a man it was a deer ! The animal was very cute but it was a bit strange too. First the animal's eyes were terrified and suddenly, the deer ran on Jackie and pushed him away in the waterfall ! When Jackie fell in the water at the bottom of the cliff, they heard a big splash ! Martin and Justin looked for Jackie but he wasn't there, he was still in the water!

Yosemite NP

They were anxious and they were looking for an idea when Justin told him that there was a rope in their bag, so they decided to abseil down the mountain to save their friend. It was a bit risky but Martin who was very brave, decided to go down first, at that moment everything was ok but in the middle of the descent, the rope broke and they fell in the water. Fortunately they were fine and they found Jackie, but his foot was stuck in the ice. Justin asked what they could do. Jackie answered that they had to cut the ice to move it. And that's what they did! But in the end, everything was fine for them all!

Yosemite NP

By Maël V., Paul V. & Rémi F.

It was 2 years ago during summer holiday, in the afternoon, Marius and Angélina were having a walk in Redwood National Park, when Marius saw a sign stating “Beautiful landscape, climb trees for $5”. So, they paid to climb and they equipped themselves. It took them 20 minutes to climb, and when they arrived at the highest point, they were totally breath taken by the landscapes. Marius said that he wanted to take a picture, but his phone fell off. After this, Angélina explained to Marius that she had forgotten her phone in their bags, on the ground near the tree.

Dangerous Woods

Redwood NP

Marius was angry because his telephone was broken, so he responded to Angélina that it was better to go down. Suddenly Marius's rope started to fray, he asked her what had happened... the rope got cut and he fell down. Angélina called for Marius but he didn't reply. She wanted to go down but she was jammed and then she felt dizzy. The night was falling, she was completely desperate so she cried. She had an idea; she shouted very loud to anyone and some people answered. There was a man and a woman: the woman helped Angélina to go back down and the man called the emergency services for Marius. Angélina was anxious and stressed-out for her friend.

Redwood NP

But suddenly, Marius opened his eyes. The ambulance driver took Marius and he arrived at the hospital and a doctor examined him. Fortunately, he had absolutely nothing and, when the people told the doctor that he had been unconscious, Marius said that he was just sleeping. Poor Angélina, she had worried to death for Marius, and he told them that he was only sleeping!! Unbelievable! However scary their day was, they went back home very calmly. What an incredible day for them!

Redwood NP

By Angélina B. & Marius R.

Picnic Preys

3 years ago, during summer holidays, Robert, Mahaut, Mary, Lola and Eva were having fun in Denali National Park. One day, Mary suggested that they could go to the gorgeous Wonder Lake for a pleasant bath. All the group agreed to this proposition except for Robert who hesitated as she was wearing flip flops. Lola retorted that they had to hike across the wild forest and that it was quite dangerous. They started to hike and, once they arrived to a great clearing, Mahaut said that they could stop there and start eating lunch. In the distance, they could see the mont McKinley. Everything was perfect… but maybe too perfect…

Denali NP

All of a sudden, the four starving bears started to run after them. They attacked Robert who wasn’t running fast enough to escape from them and Mahaut who had fallen down in her haste. The bears didn’t know how to share their preys so they began to fight. Robert and Mahaut who were bleeding a lot took advantage of this situation to get out of there. They ran as fast as possible when a cliff stopped them. Then, they realized that the bears weren’t behind them anymore. Finally, they met up with the rest of the group who were mourning their loss. After Robert and Mahaut got treatment and told their incredible story, all the group celebrated this extraordinary reunion.

Denali NP

By Tino V., Léo B. & Jules S.

Dangerous Adventures

Franky and Jacky were visiting Yellowstone National Park. They were camping in the forest in a small tent, when the argument started : Franky wanted to take a picture of the hot spring but Jacky was respecting the rules so he didn’t want him to go and take that picture. Jacky commented that if Franky fell in the hot spring he would die immediately. Franky explained that there was no problem because he knew what he was doing, then he remembered that he didn’t have enough battery in his camera so he was trying to find an idea.

Yellowstone NP

Jacky told him not to go there because he could die. Then, he added that he was hopeless and he let him go. Franky went there under the eyes of his friend who was watching him like the devil. Franky, who was very smart, had taken the only phone which could be used to ask for help. Franky was just at the edge of the hot spring, not very far from their tent and Jacky was still looking at him. Suddenly, Franky dropped the phone in the hot spring, he tried to catch it but unfortunately it fell in it. Jacky was dismayed because he had lost his friend and now he was alone, so he took his stuff and he left.

Yellowstone NP

Now Jacky was alone in the forest, trying to find some help. Instead of help he found a herd of bisons. Jacky was amazed at the beginning but the herd of bisons ran towards him, although he knew that he couldn’t do anything ; this is when all the bisons knocked him over. Finally he woke up in his bed with a lot of injuries and he remembered the day he spent with his friend feeling lucky compared to him as he had been so foolish and stubborn...

Yellowstone NP

By Zakarie B. & Marcus D.

Nightmare in Death Valley

Last summer, three friends who were on holidays in California, were hiking in the Death Valley. They were joyful as the landscapes were breathtaking. They were having an outstanding great time. They were obsessed by the views so they walked far away from the meeting point. Suddenly, one of them realized that they had gone too far. They weren’t able to find the way back and they were exhausted. The three men got worried in this unpleasant situation. It was a very hot day. Moreover, they had less and less water so they became dehydrated. This amazing day was becoming a nightmare.

Death Valley NP

So, they decided to have a break for the night and they built a campfire. All of sudden, at dusk, they met a coyote at the beginning of the night. The three friends ran as fast as possible as they were all panic-stricken. They found a cave where they spent their night. The night was better compared to the previous day but they were still starving. And the following day, they realised that they were completely lost. They decided to hunt as they didn’t want to starve anymore. So, they tried to snare an elk. When the three lads saw the huge animal, they threw big rocks at it. The elk fell on the ground and the last rock killed it. They now had to fill in their empty stomachs.

Death Valley NP

From then on, they had to do the same thing everyday to survive. Suddenly one day, as they were hunting, they recognized a beautiful landscape that they had seen at the beginning of the holidays. As this scenery is very famous, there were many tourists so they asked them what was the way to leave the park. They felt tired but the three men were thrilled to be alive. They came back home and told everyone this incredible story.

Death Valley NP

By Joris O., Julian M. & Deni E.

Frozen Death

It was two years ago, Billy, Alice, Ben and Lea were on holidays on Oregon, USA. They had gone to Crater Lake to hike in the mountains. But before, Billy and Alice had a violent quarrel and Billy decided to leave the group and he stayed at the house. So, Ben, Alice and Lea left the house and went hiking without Billy. During their walk, they crossed different animals. On the slope of a mountain, Alice saw an elk in the distance. As she was crazy about animals, she hurriedly ran to the little elk, and she was followed by Lea, Ben wasn’t enthusiastic about it.

Crater Lake NP

Suddenly, the girls who were stroking the animal stopped when they saw a group of elks coming to them. The girls were terrified and Ben yelled that they had to calm down, but it was too late, Alice and Lea were already running. So Ben decided to run too. But the landscape was misty and the friends were panic stricken. All of a sudden, they accidentally fell into a cold canyon. Ben and Alice caught hold of a rock but Lea didn’t have this chance and fell at the bottom of the hole. Wounded, she cried out to death. By the time that Alice and Ben came to their senses, Lea had already fainted, because she no longer felt her leg. As Alice leaned down for a few minutes, she saw her girlfriend dead on the ground.

Crater Lake NP

Meanwhile, Billy was worried about his friends who had already left long ago, he decided to look for them in the freezing cold. For several hours, he travelled through the mountains to look for Alice. Then, suddenly, he heard cries and calls for help. He approached the voice and discovered with dismay the two bruised bodies of his girlfriend and Ben, then he saw the frozen corpse of Lea. He tried to call for rescue but couldn’t, so he went back to the cottage and called from there. The only survivors of this awful day were Alice, Billy and Ben.

Crater Lake NP

By Eva R., Mahaut B. & Solene S..

An unforgettable fall

Three years ago, Patrick and Bob were in Grand Canyon. They were practising rock-climbing but somewhere where it was forbidden. They only had a pickaxe in each hands and a rope. Everything was calm and the landscapes were breathtaking. At an intersection they decided to separate. Bob turned left and Patrick turned right. For Bob, everything was easy, he was confident, but maybe too confident... He put one of his pickaxes into the rocks...

Grand Canyon NP

Suddenly, the pickaxe broke and he fell into a crack which was deep. He tried to stand up and he heard a terrible noise: his leg creaked. He was suffering a gooddealwhen he finally fainted. As he had fainted, Patrick arrived at the pic of the mountain. 20 minutes later, he thought that it was strange for Bob not to be there so he decided to go the way to Bob. Eventually, Patrick saw Bob and he gave him the water that he had found on his way. When Bob regained consciousness Patrick told him: ''Oh my God, you're alive! I thought you were dead.'' Bob responded that he was thirsty and that his leg was broken. Patrick retorted that he had no water. Next, he tried to pull him up with his rope. Once they left the crack Bob's injury bled and he became extremely livid.

Grand Canyon NP

Fortunately, hunters went this way and they saw them. The hunters asked them what they were doing there. They answered that they needed some help because Bob was dying. The hunters welcomed them to their hut and they bandaged Bob's wound. Finally, they took Bob to the hospital. And they left the hospital without any other injuries. They'll remember this day all of their lives.

Grand Canyon NP

By Florian V. & Pierre P.

Arches NP

Reckless Hike

I would like to tell you the story of a friend called Mike. This story changed his life: He was spending his summer holidays in America, visiting most of the states like Florida, Louisiana, Texas... He ended his trip in the state of Utah where Mike decided to go camping in Arches National Park. So my friend spent the night in his tent, alone... the next day, he had a walk through many arches and canyons, took loads of photos, saw beautiful landscapes…

Arches NP

At one time, he saw a magnificent panorama. A few minutes later, my friend decided to go back on the ground (as the panoramic view was from an arch), when he heard a creak. Precisely at that moment, Mike regretted coming there! He stepped back and, unfortunately for him, the arch broke just under his feet. Luckily, Mike only fell from four meters high, from more, it could have been fatal! He broke his right leg in a no-man’s land. Try to imagine how hopeless he was in this situation. He could have starved to death! Mike's first reflex was to take his phone and call for emergency but there was no signal. Next, he tried to walk but it was too painful. Mike’s only way to move was to crawl on the ground. But you know like him that getting out of this trouble by crawling was not a solution.

Arches NP

He finally had an idea: as this survivor found a lighter in his pocket, he started to make smoke signals by burning pieces of wood. After some time, his plan worked successfully as a column of smoke was rising in the sky. About three hours later, a helicopter came to check why there was so much smoke and saw him. The pilot told me that he had been searching for him for a long time. Mike Answered that he had been waiting for him too on his side. The pilot was surprised to knowrealize that Mike was the cause of this rockslide. While Mike was wondering if he was ever going to recover from his injuries, the man ordered him to grab the rope he was stretching in front of Mike’s face. Mike was saved, after only twelve hours of exile but he stayed at the hospital for more than a month. Today, he's as healthy as he was before this horrible experience.

By Matthieu C., Lorenzo D. & Arthur P.

The Settings

Your story must take place in one of the following US National Parks

Kenai Fjords National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Nps

Death Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Death Valley National Park Nps

Arches National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Nps

Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Yellowstone NP Nps

Olympic National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Olympic National Park Nps

Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Grand Canyon NP Nps

Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Nps

Zion National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Zion National Park Nps

Canyonlands National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Canyonlands NP Nps

Crater Lake National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Nps

Glacier National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Glacier National Park Nps

Everglades National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Everglades National Park Nps

Redwood National and State Parks (U.S. National Park Service) Redwood National and State Parks Nps

Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) Denali National Park & Preserve Nps

List of national parks of the United States - Wikipedia Find a Park (U.S. National Park Service) Find a Park Nps