The first snowstorm

Linh is from Vietnam and has lived in Sherbrooke since the fall. This morning, she opens the curtains and does not recognize the street: there is snow everywhere, on the cars, the trees and the stairs. It is still snowing.

On the radio, they are talking about a storm, and you have to stay careful on the roads. Linh sees her neighbour, Mr. Gagnon, already shoveling his driveway. She has to go to work, so she has to dress warmly: a thick sweater, a coat, a tuque, a scarf and boots, because it is very cold.

In front of the door, there is a wall of snow. Mr. Gagnon smiles at her and asks if it is her first storm. Linh answers that yes, it is beautiful, but that there is a lot of snow. He tells her that she has to shovel before going out and lends her a shovel. Linh shovels: it is heavy, but she laughs.

The neighbourhood children slide down the street, and everything is calm and white. The bus comes late, but it comes. On the bus, people are talking about the snow, and Linh listens, understanding a word here and there. Tonight, she writes to her mother to tell her about her first snowstorm.