Due to my schedule, I’ll now be sharing one short story per month, each inspired by a different idiom. These stories bring common phrases to life in relatable situations, showing their meaning in action.
Two weeks after each story, I’ll send out a newsletter featuring fun exercises related to the idiom. Then, two weeks later, another short story will follow—completing the cycle before the next month begins.
This month featured idiom is "light at the end of the tunnel", which represents hope and progress even in difficult times.
Let’s get started!
It had been a tough winter. The short days, cold weather, accompanied by some periods of snow, made running outside more difficult. For Alex, an autistic runner, it was especially frustrating. He’d been training for months prior, but felt like he wasn't improving.
One evening, Alex was out running and training with Jamie. Jamie was a more experienced and practiced runner who’d been guiding him.
Alex: I don’t know, Jamie. No matter how hard I try, it seems like I'm not getting any faster. I'm worried that I won't meet my target time later this year
Jamie: I understand it Alex, but don’t worry. You’ll get there. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel.
Alex frowned, slowing their pace slightly.
Alex: A light at the end of the tunnel? But we’re outside in the open air, not in a tunnel.
Jamie chuckled.
Jamie: It’s just a saying. It means things will get better. Even if it feels tough now, you’re still making progress.
Alex: But how can I know that if I don't even realise it?
Jamie thought for a moment, then pointed toward the horizon. Him and Alex glanced at their watches.
Jamie: Look up! It's quite hard to believe it was completely dark at this time only a few weeks ago. Now, there’s some light in the sky.
Alex glanced up. The sun had almost set, but there was still evidence of more daylight on the horizon.
Alex: Oh yeah, the days are definitely getting more daylight.
Jamie: Exactly. It’s a sign that the winter season is coming to an end, even if we don’t notice the change day by day. Training is the same. Little by little, you’re improving, trust me, even if you don't notice it yet.
Alex thought about this for a moment as he kept running. Maybe Jamie was right. After all, he'd already improved by a few seconds compared to his last run. Maybe, just maybe, he was getting closer to his goal.
Alex: I think I understand it now. The light at the end of the tunnel means I’m getting closer, even if it's not obvious right away?
Jamie: That’s right. You just have to keep going towards it.
For the first time in weeks, Alex smiled. The tunnel might still be long, but at least now, he knew there was light not too far away.
If you enjoyed this, you might like:
A Ray of Sunshine
A Spring in Your Step
Every Cloud has a Silver Lining
Idioms are everywhere in daily conversations, enriching our language with vivid imagery. Yet, for individuals who struggle with figurative language, such as those on the autism spectrum, idioms can often be perplexing. In this episode of my podcast, I explore the origins and meanings of common idioms and share strategies for understanding them. I begin […]
Half-terms are short school holidays where children can rest and relax, and spend more time with family and friends. They may even be more engaged with their hobbies and playing with their favourite toys. However, one shouldn’t neglect their learning and educational development. I’ve never been a parent myself. If one is diligent and creative, […]
Sarcasm refers to remarks given by people who mean the opposite of what they said at a particular time. One way this can be done is by paying close attention to, and thinking about the tone of the person’s voice. For those of us with autism, this can be very problematic, since we can struggle […]
