DOORS

Nanette opened her eyes. She was sitting on a chair in a small white room. She
does not remember anything. All she remembers is that her name is Nanette. She
looked around the room and saw a door. She went to the door and opened it. It was
another room with a chair and square table. On the table was a glass of milk and a ham
sandwich. She ate the ham sandwich and drank the milk. It was delicious and she was
satisfied.
She looked around the room and saw another door. She went to the door and
opened it. It was another room with an oval table. On the table was an orange juice
and a chicken sandwich. She saw a bed. She lied down on it for a few moments.
Feeling rested and refreshed, she got up from the bed and looked around the
room. She saw another door. She went to the door and opened it. It was another room
with a man sitting on a chair. The man looked at her and said, “Nanette, my baby,
where have you been? I have been waiting for you.” He embraced her but she could
not remember this man. Nanette answered, “I’m sorry but I could not remember you.
Who are you?” The man became sad and said, “It’s me, Charles, your husband. How
could you forget?” Nanette looked at the man’s face. He looked nice, caring and
handsome. But she just could not remember him.
Nanette stayed with Charles while he explained to her about their life together,
how they had met and how much they loved each other. She felt happy to know how
much this man loved her so deeply. They ate and drank together: roasted duck,
potatoes and green tea. It was delicious. They lay on the bed. They laughed and
kissed. They were both happy.
Later, while Charles was sleeping, Nanette stood up and looked around the
room. She saw another door. She went to the door and opened it. It was another room
with another man in it. The man looked at her and said, “Nanette, our honey, where
have you been? We have been waiting for you.” Nanette looked at the man’s face. He
looked exactly like Charles. In the room, there was a little boy playing with a toy train.
The little boy went to her and said happily, “Mommy, Mommy, look, I have a toy train.”
Nanette kneeled down and embraced the little boy. She thought that this must be her
son that she just could not remember. She felt a happiness that settled in her heart.
Nanette stayed in this room with the second Charles and the little boy named
Stevie. She thought that this second Charles is her real husband and Stevie is their son.
They shared a warm meal together. They talked about their love for each other. They
talked about their plans for the future. Their son, Stevie, dreams of becoming a train
driver someday. Nanette feels happier in this room.
Later, while Charles and Stevie were sleeping, Nanette stood up and looked
around the room. She saw another door. She looked at the door and said to herself,
“Should I open this other door? Will there be another room again? Who will the people
be this time? Another Charles? Another Stevie? But I am already happy and contented
here.”
Nanette was already happy and contented with Charles and Stevie in this room.
But she was also thinking of the possibility that there might be a happier life for her
behind that other door. It was very hard for her to decide whether to open that door or
not. Each door took her to a new place, a new life.
With tears falling from her eyes, she looked at the sleeping Charles and Stevie… and
opened another door.

THE END

1) What were the food on the square and oval tables?

2) Why didn’t Nanette eat the food on the oval table?
3) Why did Nanette think that Stevie is her son? Explain.
4) In the story, a door means another opportunity in one’s life. Would you keep on
accepting another opportunity even if you are already satisfied with your present
situation? Explain.
5) Have you ever experienced deciding on something and regretting it in the end
because it was a wrong decision? What did you do? How were you able to overcome it?
6) At the end of the story, what do you think happened to Nanette when she opened
another door? Make your own ending for this story.