From the Edge of the Road
The weather feels different today. The air is cooler, and the sky is darker than it was in the morning. The birds are flying very high and very fast, as if something is wrong, although I do not know what.
I am standing near the road when I see the Roman soldiers coming. People begin to move closer, leaving their work, forming a long line along the street. I try to see what is happening, but at first I can only see the soldiers’ helmets and the tops of their spears. The adults move in front of me, so I step closer and look between them.
Then I see the wood.
The man is carrying it on his back. It is very big, and he walks slowly, like an old man, although he does not look old. The soldiers push him when he stops. Once, he falls, and the wood falls with him. The sound is loud, and some people laugh, but others tell them to be quiet.
There is blood on his face and on the wood. I cannot see his eyes at first, because he is looking at the ground as he walks. A woman near me is crying, and another woman is trying to hold her so she does not run into the road.
The soldiers shout again, and the man stands up. When he walks in front of me, he turns his head for a moment. I do not know if he is looking at me or at someone behind me, but I can see his face clearly. He looks very tired, and there is blood on his forehead, but his eyes are calm. Then the soldiers push him again, and he keeps walking.
Everyone begins to follow them toward the hill outside the city. I walk with the others, but I stay far behind, near the edge of the road. I do not want the soldiers to see me too close.
When we arrive, the soldiers make the man lie down on the wood. I cannot see everything from where I am, but I hear the sound of the hammer. Each time I hear it, many people look away, and some people begin to cry louder. The sky is darker now, and the wind is stronger. The birds are still flying high above the hill.
After a long time, there are three crosses standing on the hill.
Nobody is laughing anymore. Nobody is shouting. Even the soldiers are speaking quietly now. The city, which was so noisy in the morning, feels very far away and very quiet.
I have seen the Romans kill men before, but I have never seen the sky turn dark like this.
I am still standing at the edge of the road, looking at the hill and the three crosses from far away. I do not understand everything that is happening, but I know that this is not like the other times.
Something is different today.
I feel like this is a day people will remember for a very long time.
A silent witness, a darkened sky—history turns in a moment no one fully understands.
Thank you for reading “From the Edge of the Road”! This is a story in a series created for avid readers and English learners who want to enjoy captivating tales while practicing their language skills. Stay tuned for more stories and language tips to enhance your journey!
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