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Hatsie
Hughes and Her 5 Lucky Cousins
When
disasters come calling they not only bring damage and pain, they also
bring out the best in the people involved. And, the earthquake
that struck Sukouka in Japan in 2006 brought out the very,
very best of a young English woman!
Hatsie
Hughes remembers the day well. It was going to be special. She was
working there at the time and was looking forward to lunch with her
friends. Friends she hadn't seen for a very long time. But, lunch
never came.
Instead,
the earth quaked! 5.5 on the Richter scale. The worse the
city could remember! And, Hatsie Hughes kept her head as she
made her way home through the just shaken streets. And then,
she heard it. A call for help and in English. Hatsie knew there
were people in need.
Standing
and shivering together with nowhere to go was Rodney Franz and five
of his friends. They had lost all. Their hostel was in ruins and they
were hungry and cold. But, Hatsie was there. And, with the words,
“all back to my place” was able to make them feel better again.
And
soon, the 5 weary friends were enjoying a meal in the warmth of
Hatsie's mini apartment. But, Hatsie had made more than just
friends.
Rules
are rules, and Japanese rules are the strictest of all. The
only visitors allowed were relatives. There were no
exceptions. Victims of earthquakes included. And, so it was that
Hatsie, all of a sudden, had 5 cousins more.
And
cousins they’ve remained. And, since then have remained
unbelievably close. What happened by chance in 2006 has become
something that’s still going on. And, the cousins still meet at
least five times a year.
Hatsie
Hughes. She was there when when disaster came calling and now she
has a new family. Hatsie Hughes – a woman of heart.
Hatsie Hughes
Vocabulary
earthquake
- Erdbeben
exceptions
- Ausnahmen
kept
her head – Ruhig bleiben
quaked
– bebte
relatives
- Verwandten
rubble
- Schrott
strictest
– (strict/stricter/strictest) - streng
struck
- heimsuchte
Questions
Where
was Hatsie Hughes in 2006?
What
was Hatsie Hughes doing in 2006?
How
strong was the earthquake?
Who
did Hatsie Hughes help?
How
did Hatsie Hughes help them?
Why
did the cousins become cousins?
Do
the cousins still meet?
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