Congratulations for reaching Year 4 of your American English studies. This year we will read numerous American short stories to build American English listening and reading comprehension skills. Please pay close attention to each American short story assigned here and share your insights and what you’ve learned in the comments section below.
Directions: Listen and read each short story and then share what you learned in the comments section below.
4.15,4: Lesson 15
American short stories.
” Two Thanksgiving Day Gentleman”. written by O, Henry
There are some days which are celebrated by every nation in the world, and similarly there is one day that all Americans celebrate,” Thanksgiving Day”. This is one day when all American go back to the old home and eat a big dinner. the story made me feel emotional and this touching story brought many of my to tears.
The story is about a needy character, named Stuffy Pete and an Old Gentleman. Pete waits on a bench in Union Square in New York city. Just as he has on every Thanksgiving Day for the past nine years. But this Thanksgiving Day happens differently with him by two old ladies, as an act of Charity. Stuffy Peter has eaten two much to the point of feeling sick. And then his old fellow, an Old Gentleman, who always treats stuffy with a lavish food in a great restaurant has been waiting Stuffy. So even though Stuffy Pete has already eaten. He feels obligated to meet the Old Genteman as usual and uphold the tradition.
After the meal, Stuffy Peter Thanks the Old Gentleman and the two of them walk in opposite directions. As Stuffy reaches the corner of the street, collapses to the sidewalk and has to be taken to the hospital. Shortly after the Old Gentleman is also brought to the hospital, suffering from a case, ” almost starvation” because he has not eaten in three days.
What kind of Chairty act was this…?