Although Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) was a wealthy landowner, in his later
life he had what was considered a “religious awakening.” This experience went
on to inform his writing and his lifestyle in profound ways. His views
transcended the specifics of religion, as known in his day - so much so he came
to be a helpful guide both to Mohandas Gandhi and to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The four stories in this collection ask profound questions and gently supply
helpful, non-dogmatic hints to their answerings: What is the most important
thing to do? Who is the most important person? When is the most important time?
What is worth owning? What is the most profound religion? What rules should men
live by? How much land does a man need? Who is God? What should we bother to
discuss? How should we act towards one another? How should we respond to
cruelty and violence? And many more. Wonderful stories written in a relaxed
style. (Summary by ALAN DRAKE.)
Grateful
thanks to AUDIO BOOK AUDIOBOOKS, ALAN DRAKE. and YouTube.
Listen and read about one man looking for his lost love in this classic
American short story, 'The Furnished Room' by O. Henry. See lesson and
transcript at: http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/...
Grateful thanks to VOA LEARNING ENGLISH and YouTube.
Once upon a time there was a boy named Jack who lived with his poor
widowed mother. They had sold almost everything they owned to buy food. When
their last cow stopped giving milk, Jack’s mother sent him to town to sell it.
On the way to town Jack met a strange fellow who told him stories of
magic beans. “Where can I buy some of these magic beans for my mother?” asked
Jack.
“I have the last five magic beans and I will sell them to you because
you are a good boy,” the strange man smiled at Jack.
“Well I have nothing but our old cow and we need the money I would get
by selling her for food.”
The man replied, “Trust me, my boy, these beans will bring you food and
fortune and your mother will be proud.”
Jack hesitated but finally traded the cow for the beans. When Jack
returned home his mother was furious and threw the beans out the kitchen window
crying. Jack went to bed that night sad and hungry.
He woke the next morning to find a huge beanstalk growing in the
garden. “The beans really are magic!” he cried. Jack saw that stalk reached the
clouds. He remembered stories about the clouds containing gold and started
climbing the stalk to see what he could find.
He climbed and climbed. When he got to the top he saw a huge castle and
headed for it. The door was so big that Jack could crawl beneath it. Once
inside he saw a giant man eating his dinner. When the giant was finished he
called his servant to bring him his bag of gold coins. While counting his money
the giant became drowsy and fell asleep.
Jack crept up to the giant and stole his bag of gold. He struggled down
the beanstalk with his money and when got to the bottom he called for his
mother. Jack’s mother was very happy because this money was the same money that
the giant had stolen from Jack’s father many years ago. But she was also afraid
she knew how dangerous the giant was and made Jack promise he would never go
back.
While Jack did promise, after awhile the money began to run out. Jack
began to wonder if he would find anything else in the castle. Once again, Jack
decided he would go back up the beanstalk and back to the castle. Once again he
reached the castle and climbed under the castle door. And once again he found
the giant eating dinner at his table. When he was finished this time however
the giant called for his magic hen. Jack was amazed when he saw the hen lay an
egg of pure gold. While the giant was watching the hen he again became drowsy
and fell asleep. Jack crept silently to the table and grabbed the hen.
When he returned home his mother was very angry that Jack had gone back
to the castle. She grabbed Jack’s axe intent on cutting the beanstalk down.
Jack begged her not to and showed her how hen that could lay golden eggs.
Jack’s mother put the axe down and watched with delight as the hen layed one
beautiful golden egg after another.
After awhile Jack’s curiosity got the better of him and he once again
thought about what else he could find he in the castle. Once again, Jack
decided he would go back up the beanstalk and back to the castle. Once again he
reached the castle and climbed under the castle door. And once again he found
the giant eating dinner at his table.
When he was finished this time however the giant called for his magic
harp. Jack watched as the harp began to play beautiful music all by itself. The
music was so beautiful that before long the lazy giant was once again fast
asleep. Jack crept silently to the table. But as soon as Jack picked up the
harp it began playing very loudly in his strange hands and the giant awoke.
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This is what people close say about me: “Misfit, Dreamer, Impractical, Champion of lost causes, Always Wrong” etc. etc. Maybe they are right, maybe not. What do I think of myself? I am trying to find out.