Rima signs up for her very first zipline course. She is excited and a little scared. Halfway across the longest line, the wind picks up, and Rima stops moving completely, hanging above the trees.
Part 1: The First Line
Rima stood on the wooden platform, high above the forest floor, her harness clipped tightly to the metal cable in front of her.
“Ready?” asked Tom, the zipline instructor, checking her equipment one more time.
“I think so,” Rima said, looking down nervously at the trees far below.
“The first line is short and easy,” Tom said, smiling. “You’ll do great. Just relax and enjoy the view.”
Rima took a deep breath and pushed off the platform. The wind rushed past her face as she flew smoothly along the cable, trees blurring beneath her feet. It was fast, exciting, and over quickly.
“That was amazing!” Rima shouted, landing safely on the next platform.
“Ready for the big one?” Tom asked, pointing to a much longer line stretching far into the distance. “This one crosses the whole valley.”
Rima looked at the long cable, disappearing into the trees ahead. Her excitement mixed with a new wave of nervousness. “Let’s do it,” she said.
Part 2: Stuck in the Middle
The second line started just as smoothly as the first, wind rushing past, the valley opening up beautifully beneath her.
Then, halfway across, a strong gust of wind pushed against her from the side. Rima’s speed slowed suddenly, and then, completely, she stopped moving. She hung there, high above the trees, swaying gently in the wind.
“Um, Tom?” Rima called out, trying to keep her voice steady. “I stopped!”
“That happens sometimes with strong wind,” Tom called back from the platform behind her, his voice calm and reassuring. “Don’t worry. You’re completely safe. Your harness is holding you securely.”
Rima looked down at the trees far below, her heart beating fast. “What do I do?” she called.
“Pull yourself forward using the cable, hand over hand,” Tom instructed. “Slow and steady. You don’t need to rush.”
Part 3: Moving Again
Rima reached up carefully and grabbed the cable above her with both hands. She pulled herself forward slowly, just as Tom had said, one hand after the other.
At first, nothing happened. She pulled harder, focusing completely on the cable instead of the ground far below.
Slowly, she began to move again, inch by inch, then a little faster as the wind calmed down slightly.
“You’re doing it!” Tom called out encouragingly. “Keep going, just like that!”
Rima kept pulling steadily, her arms starting to feel tired, but her confidence growing with every small movement forward. Finally, gravity took over again, and she began sliding smoothly the rest of the way, landing safely on the final platform with a relieved laugh.
“You did it!” Tom said, helping her unclip from the line. “Getting stuck in the wind is scary the first time, but you handled it perfectly.”
“My arms are shaking,” Rima said, laughing with relief, “but I actually want to do that again.”
“That’s the spirit,” Tom said, smiling. “Ready for the next course?”
Rima looked back at the long line stretching across the valley, thinking about how frightened she’d felt hanging there, and how proud she felt now, standing safely on solid ground.
“Yes,” she said firmly. “Let’s go.”
The End
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Harness | straps worn around the body to keep someone safe during activities like ziplining | The climber checked her harness before starting the climb. |
| Gust | a sudden, strong burst of wind | A gust of wind blew the papers off the table. |
| Reassuring | making someone feel calmer or less worried | Her reassuring smile helped calm his nerves. |
| Steady | calm and controlled, not shaking or rushing | He kept a steady pace during the long run. |
| Confidence | a feeling of trust in your own abilities | Her confidence grew with each successful attempt. |
Quick Check
- What happens to Rima halfway across the second zipline?
- What does Tom tell her to do when she gets stuck?
- How does Rima finally start moving again?
- How does Rima feel after she safely reaches the final platform?
- Have you ever felt scared trying something new, but kept going anyway? What happened?
Ready for another thrilling read? Try The River That Doesn’t Wait, an adventure story for English learners.
