Thursday, May 22, 2008

Touching stories emerge of brave children

The Star, Thursday May 22, 2008

CHENGDU: Some of the most touching stories which have emerged from the Sichuan earthquake are from children who have acted bravely in times of adversity.

One was that of nine-year-old Lin Hou who saved two of his classmates by carrying them out of their classroom when the earthquake struck last Monday.

“I was not hurt then but only got myself hurt when I carried them piggyback,” he said.

The three then trekked on mountain roads to get out of the ruined area, he added.

What was more amazing was that Hou has yet to find his parents and does not even know whether they are still alive.

Another was that of a little boy who told rescuers to go ahead to save others first because he was “not scared.”

And there was a girl who was trapped in the rubble who shouted at rescuers: “Danger! Go out quickly!”

Despite all these bravery, experts believe that the children have been traumatised by the entire disaster.

Psychologists and therapists have been sent to the worst affected areas to take care of survivors.

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