PSLE: A Trip for Daddy

The bicycle’s tyres creaked as Zoe cycled home. Inside the bicycle’s basket was a surprise for Daddy. It was his birthday and Zoe had secretly bought him a chocolate cake with all her savings. She had also made a birthday card for him. As eager as a beaver, the happy girl paddled hard with her heart bursting with elation. Excitement was bubbling inside her as she could not wait to see the broad smile on her daddy’s face.

Unfortunately, the weather was extremely unkind that evening. Thunder rumbled like the firing of the cannon balls in a distance as a forked lightning flashed across the darkening sky. “Please hold the rain! I don’t want the cake and the card to get wet!” Zoe muttered a prayer in her small voice.

However, her prayer was left unanswered. A strong gale blew and rain poured down in sheets. The raindrops were splashing onto the tarmac ground, forming little puddles and rivulets everywhere. Zoe was utterly downcast. She had an umbrella with her but instead of using it to shade herself, she placed it over the gifts, hoping that they would not get too wet.  As for her, she had already become a complete soaked duck, her clothes plastered to her cold skin.

She was reaching home a stone’s throw away. She continued cycling quickly across the road to get to the other side. Unfortunately, she slipped and fell onto the very wet ground. Her ankles turned instantly swollen and she could hardly stand. As if that was not enough, a lorry came rumbling down the street, barrelling fast towards her!

Panic immediately engulfed her. Zoe kept gesticulating riotously, hoping to catch the driver’s attention. However, her efforts proved futile as the sheet of continuous rain splashing onto the windscreen was blurring the driver’s vision. The headlights dazzled her and the lorry’s shadow loomed over her. Oh no!  Zoe’s mouth was wide agape in horror and her face blanched white in trepidation. 

Crash!! The poor girl flew a few feet away along with the wrecked bicycle, the card and the smashed cake. She lay sprawled on the wet grass, bleeding profusely. Enveloped in mind-numbing pain, she was gasping for air as crimson blood mixed with rainwater was staining the ground red.

Alarmed, the lorry driver hopped off his vehicle in order to check. He let out a heart-wrenching cry when he realised what had just happened. Momentarily, his mind went blank and his face turned ghastly sallow. Intense guilt was etched all over his crestfallen face. 

It was Zoe’s dad! He had knocked down his only child. “Daddy,” Zoe mouthed her words as waves of dizziness swamped over her. Swiftly, he whisked out his phone to call for an ambulance. “Everything will be alright, Zoe!” Dad whispered into her ears and held her small hands tightly. His heart was inundated with intense sorrow.

Within minutes, the rain had stopped and wails of siren resounded in the air. The ambulance arrived in record time but Zoe who had lost consciousness was already - dead. Bright unchecked tears welled up in the father’s eyes as waves of remorse besieged him. His precious little girl was gone forever. 

He spotted the wet birthday card and picked it up. On the sodden card was written: Dearest Daddy, I luv you soooo much! Happy birtday!  Your naugty little girl, Zoe.  

(PS: Spelling errors have been done on purpose. It is to show the poor spelling skills of a child.  Do not do this for your exam.)

Alternative ending

The paramedics arrived within minutes and whisked Zoe off to the nearest hospital in record time. Though the chance was very slim, Zoe managed to fight against all odds and survived.  It was a miracle for the entire family and a time of great celebration.  It was in the hospital that Zoe celebrated her daddy's birthday and sang him a birthday song.  There was no gift. no card and no cake. However, this did not matter at all for Zoe was Daddy's best birthday gift ever.