In 1989 an 8.2 earthquake almost flattened America, killing over 30,000 people in less than four minutes. In
the middle of the complete damage and disorder, a father rushed to the school where his son was supposed to
be, only to 1 that the building was 2 .
After the unforgettable shock, he 3 the promise he had made to his son, "No matter 4 happens, I'll
always be there for you!" And tears began to 5 his eyes. As he looked at the pile of ruins, it looked hopeless,
but he kept remembering his 6 to his son. He rushed there and started 7 the ruins.
As he was digging, other helpless parents arrived, 8 , "It's too late! They're all dead! Come 9 , face reality,
there's nothing you can do!" To each parent he responded with one 10 , "Are you going to help me now?" No
one helped. And then he continued to dig for his son, stone by stone.
Courageously he went on alone because he needed to know 11 himself, "Is my boy 12 or is he dead?" He
dug for eight hours…12 hours…24 hours…36 hours…then, in the 38th 13 , he pulled back a large stone and
heard his son's 14 . He screamed his son's name, "ARMAND!" He heard back. "Dad? It's me, Dad! I told the
other kids not to worry. I told them that if you were alive, you 15 save me and 16 you saved me, they'd be
saved. You promised, 'No matter what happens, I'll always be there for you!' You did it, Dad!"
"What's going on in there?" the father asked.
"There are 14 of us 17 out 18 33, Dad. We are scared, hungry, thirsty and thankful you're here. When
the building collapsed, it made 19 and it saved us."
"Come out, boy!"
"No, Dad! Let the other kids out first, 20 I know you'll get me! No matter what happens, I know you'll
always be there for me!" |
