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ion of our farm； are affected by flooding； but other farms are less favourably sited； and flooding can sometimes spell disaster for their owners。
One bad winter we watched the river creep up the lower meadows。 All the cattle had been moved into stalls and we stood to lose little。 We were； however； worried about our nearest neighbours； whose farm was low lying and who were newcomers to the district。 As the floods had put the telephone out of order； we could not find out how they were managing。 From an attic window we could get a sweeping view of the river where their land joined ours； and at the most critical juncture we took turns in watching that point。 The first sign of disaster was a dead sheep floating down。 Next came a horse； swimming bravely； but we were afraid that the strength of the current would prevent its landing anywhere before it became exhausted。 Suddenly a raft appeared； looking rather like Noah's ark； carrying the whole family； a few hens； the dogs； a cat； and a bird in a cage。 We realized that they must have become unduly frightened by the rising flood； for their house； which had sound foundations； would have stood stoutly even if it had been almost submerged。 The men of our family waded down through our flooded meadows with boathooks； in the hope of being able to grapple a corner of the raft and pull it out of the current towards our bank。 We still think it a miracle that they were able to do so。
Lesson57 The return of the native
I stopped to let the car cool off and to study the map。 I had expected to be near my objective by now； but everything still seemed alien to me。 I was only five when my father had taken me abroad； and that was eighteen years ago。 When my mother had died after a tragic accident； he did not quickly recover from the shock and loneliness。 Everything around him was full of her presence； continually re…opening the wound。 So he decided to emigrate。 In the new country he became absorbed in making a new life for the two of us； so that he gradually ceased to grieve。 He did not marry again and I was brought up without a woman's care； but I lacked for nothing； for he was both father and mother to me。 He always meant to go back one day but not to stay。 His roots and mine had become too firmly embedded in the new land。 But he wanted to see the old folk again and to visit my mother's grave。 He became mortally ill a few months before we had planned to go and； when he knew that he was dying； he made me promise to go on my own。
I hired a car the day after landing and bought a comprehensive book of maps； which I found most helpful on the cross country journey； but which I did not think I should need on the last stage。 It was not that I actually remembered anything at all。 But my father had described over and over again what we should see at every milestone； after leaving the nearest town； so that I was positive I should recognize it as familiar territory。 Well； I had been wrong； for I was now lost。
I looked at the map and then at the milometer。 I had come ten miles since leaving the town； and at this point； according to my father； I should be looking at farms and cottages in a valley； with the spire of the church of our village showing in the far distance。 I could see no valley； no farms； no cottages and no church spireonly a lake。 I decided that I must have taken a wrong turning somewhere。 So I drove back to the town and began to retrace the route； taking frequent glances at the map。 I landed up at the same corner。 The curious thing was that the lake was not marked on the map。 I felt as if I had stumbled into a nightmare country； as you sometimes do in dreams。 And； as in a nightmare； there was nobody in sight to help me。 Fortunately for me； as I was wondering what to do next； there appeared on the horizon a man on horseback； riding in my direction。 I waited till he came near； then I asked him the way to our old village。 He said that there was now no village。 I thought he must have misunderstood me。 so I repeated its name。 This time he pointed to the lake。 The village no longer existed because it had been submerged； and all the valley too。 The lake was not a natural one； but a man made reservoir。
Lesson58 A little spot of bother
The old lady was glad to be back at the block of flats where she lived。 Her shopping had tired her and her basket had grown heavier with every step of the way home。 In the lift her thoughts were on lunch and a good rest； but when she got out at her own floor； both were forgotten in her sudden discovery that her front door was open。 She was thinking that she must reprimand her daily maid the next morning for such a monstrous piece of negligence； when she remembered that she had gone shopping after the maid had left and she knew that she had turned both keys in their locks。 She walked slowly into the hall and at once noticed that all the room doors were open； yet following her regular practice she had shut them before going out。 Looking into the drawing room； she saw a scene of confusion over by her writing desk。 It was as clear as daylight then that burglars had forced an entry during her absence。 Her first impulse was to go round all the rooms looking for the thieves； but then she decided that at her age it might be more prudent to have someone with her； so she went to fetch the porter from his basement。 By this time her legs were beginning to tremble； so she sat down and accepted a cup of very strong tea； while he telephoned the police。 Then； her composure regained； she was ready to set off with the porter's assistance to
search for any intruders who might still be lurking in her flat。
They went through the rooms； being careful to touch nothing； as they did not want to hinder the police in their search for fingerprints。 The chaos was inconceivable。 She had lived in the flat for thirty years and was a veritable magpie at hoarding； and it seemed as though everything she possessed had been tossed out and turned over and over。 At least sorting out the things she should have discarded years ago was now being made easier for her。 Then a police inspector arrived with a constable and she told them of her discovery of the ransacked flat。 The inspector began to look for fingerprints； while the constable checked that the front door locks had not been forced； thereby
proving that the burglars had either used skeleton keys or entered over the balcony。 There was no trace of fingerprints； but the inspector found a dirty red bundle that contained jewellery which the old lady said was not hers。 So their entry into this flat was apparently not the burglars' first job that day and they must have been disturbed。 The inspector then asked the old lady to try to check what was missing by the next day and advised her not to stay alone in the flat for a few nights。 The old lady thought he was a fussy creature； but since the porter agreed with him； she rang up her daughter and asked for her help in what she described as a little spot of bother。
Lesson59 Possession amassing and collecting
People tend to amass possessions； some…times without being aware of doing so。 Indeed they can have a delightful surprise when they find something useful which they did not know they owned。 Those who n