Accidents are part of our daily life. No matter how cautious we are, we just cannot avoid them. However, sometimes they do make us feel embarrassed or even humiliated.

Just several days ago, I parked my car in the school parking lot as usual, but at a place where there was a light post nearby. At lunchtime, I came back to the parking lot, tired and hungry. The moment I got into the car, my cell phone rang. It was my wife, who asked a bit impatiently, “Where are you? It’s already 12 o’clock! Are you coming back for lunch?”

“I’m on the way. I’ll be home right away.” I replied. With these words, I started my car. Seeing the cars to my left had already left, I turned the steering wheel to the left. Surprised, I found the car was stopped by something outside the door on my left. It was the light post!

Maybe I was careless; perhaps I was too preoccupied; maybe I was too anxious to go back home for lunch. Anyway, I just didn’t notice the light post on the left front side. Maybe the post was hidden by the A post of the car, but the consequence was irrevocable. There was a big dent in the door! Oh my goodness! The car was bought only a little more than two months ago. My poor new car!

To the matter worse, several of my colleagues passed by and saw the door that was caved in. They came smiling, “Hit the post?” Somehow I read some pleasure on his face. Another guy even said, “Something might be wrong with your driving skills.” He sounded as if I saw the post and was still unable to go around it. “Yeah, don’t you see the light post is so elegantly slim? Maybe my car was attracted and wanted to give her a kiss.” I found those words coming out of my mouth.

I didn’t know if they were serious or just joking. Maybe they just acted naturally. However, I was not in the mood to explain how and why that happened, though part of me was saying, “If I had seen or noticed the post, it would have been impossible!”

Life is a learning process. We learn from our mistakes. Sometimes we have to go through failures before we finally learn the lesson. But remember: as far as driving is concerned, you can never be too careful. There’s no if in this world!