We ate a big breakfast at a local restaurant, like we did every Father’s Day. The present my daughter gave me was a T-shirt with the words “World’s Coolest Dad”. I put it on, feeling that was what made Father’s Day so great.

Just then my volunteer fire-department pager (呼机) went off: “Attention, Pocahontas-Old Ripley firefighters! House fire on Simpson Street. Repeat. House fire on Simpson Street.”

“Gotta go,” I said. I ran to my car and took off. I got to the firehouse in minutes. Another firefighter, Tom Smith, and the chief were waiting. “Don, Tommy, take truck 253. Roll!” he ordered. “The rest of the guys will be right behind you.” As the first on the scene, our job was to make sure everyone was out of the house, locate the nearest hydrant (消防栓), and then wait for backup.

A small crowd had gathered in front of number 907 when we got there. They watched the fire in panic. Thick black smoke could be seen pouring from the one-story house’s open front door. A large man burst through the door, red eyes streaming with tears. “Please hurry!” he called. “My boy’s still in there. I couldn’t get to him!”

There was no time to wait for backup. I left Tommy outside and rushed into the house.

“Anyone here?” I shouted. No answer. I searched every inch of the first two rooms. No child. The fire had grown so fierce by then. It seemed that the roof would collapse at any time. All at once a vision was put into my head—that father begging us to save his child. I mustn’t give up. Not today, I thought. There still might be a chance.

Suddenly I heard a weak cry from the next room.

It was a special Father’s Day, not only for me, but also for the boy, his father and my daughter.

Mohan was excited. His father had finally declared him old enough to help take the sheep to herd. It was no ordinary herding, though. Mohan and his father and other shepherds (牧羊人) moved high up into the mountains and stayed on the pastures (牧场) with their flocks for six long months.

It was not an easy life. Far away from home, the men were surrounded by forests that were filled with dangerous animals, such as bears, tigers, and leopards (豹) .

As Mohan bid his mother and sister goodbye, he tried to look as grown-up as possible. Mohan, his father, and their sheepdog, Sona, set off along the dusty track with their sheep. Soon they were joined by other shepherds and their flocks. The group climbed for three days until they reached the half-dry bed of a river. “Let’s part up here,” said the oldest shepherd.

Mohan and his father, along with Kishan, a neighbor, took their sheep northward. As night fell, everything seemed peaceful. Mohan sat closer to Sona for warmth. His father and Kishan had taken their flocks to different ends of the pasture.

Suddenly, Sona started to bark. Mohan looked up to see his father’s sheep rushing down the slope. Something was wrong. He waited for the sheep to reach him. Then he turned to Sona and said, “Stay and guard the sheep. I must look for Father.”

Mohan picked up a lantern and his shepherd’s stick and hurried in the direction from which the sheep had come. “Father, where are you?” he called out. Then came another sound that froze Mohan’s blood. Mohan shouted,” Father!” A steady voice answered, “I’m here.”

Mohan rushed up a slope and almost fell into a ditch (沟) on the other side. He stopped just in time and found himself looking straight into the eyes of a snow leopard. Mohan was frozen with terror.

“Mohan, use your lantern.” His father’s voice shook Mohan’s fear out of him. Mohan looked down and saw his father lying in the ditch, holding a lamb.

Mohan knew he had to act fast.

Mohan put out the fire and then climbed into the ditch.

Most of the fire accidents happen because of our carelessness. Every year there are many fire accidents, resulting in a great loss of property and life. Many of these can be easily avoided if we are more careful and observe certain rules regarding fire-protection. There have been some unforgettable accidents in my life. One has left me a shocking impression.

It was 9 am on Sunday. I was busy in doing my homework at home and my mother was preparing tea for me in the kitchen when suddenly there were shouts, cries and a lot of confusing noise coming from outside. Immediately, I rushed out to figure out what was all that. I was informed that a supermarket warehouse (仓库) in our neighborhood had caught fire.

Wanting to help put out the fire, I ran to the place. A big crowd of neighbors had collected as well. Some were helping throw water and some were trying to beat the fire with sticks. Although all the people struggled to help, before long, the fire, driven by the strong winds, swallowed the whole building. Before the owner, the employers and all the neighbors could to anything more, huge and high columns of smoke and flames spread fast. Seeing things were almost out of control, someone called firefighters at once. With all the belongings inside burning in the fire, the owner could do nothing except cry, helpless and heartbroken.

It was a horrible scene which I could never forget. Without powerful equipment, we could just wait for firefighters’ coming.

During the waiting for fire rescue, many began talking about how the fire broke out and who was to blame for the accident. Were the members of the supermarket themselves or the others responsible for the accident? When people continued chatting about the possible causes of the fire, the fire-engines soon arrived at the scene.

Without any delay, the firemen hurried for fighting the fire.

The policemen set about looking into the cause of the fire.