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Parents Mini-Story Lesson

Hi. Welcome to the mini-story for the conversation “Parents.” Let’s get started with the story.

Freddie the frog lives in the country of Frogland. When he was growing up his father ran a tight ship.

He made Freddie practice jumping ten hours every day. Freddie was always tired so he could not pay attention in school. Sometimes he couldn’t even tell what day it was.

“I’m telling you, I just want to chase flies with my friends,” Freddie said to his dad.

Then his dad said, “It’s my way or the highway.” His dad always told him that he would be a jumping champion. Sure enough, when he was 18 years old, he became the jumping champion of his country.

Now Freddie is 55 years old. He thinks about his dad a lot. Now he knows that there was method to his dad’s madness.

Okay, so that’s the end of our story. Now I will go back and read the story again and this time I will ask questions as I read it. And you can answer the questions out loud and if you need a little more time to answer the questions, then feel free to pause your iPod or your computer or whatever you’re playing the lesson on, and then play it again when you have had enough time to think about the question. And, of course, if you just feel like listening, well that’s okay, too.

Okay, let’s start.

Freddie the frog lives in the country of Frogland.

Does Freddie the frog live in the country of Frogland?

Yes, he does. Freddie the frog lives in the country of Frogland.

Who lives in Frogland?

Freddie the frog, Freddie the frog lives in Frogland.

Does Freddie the frog or Mary the lamb live in Frogland?

Freddie the frog, Freddie the frog lives in Frogland.

What type of animal is Freddie?

A frog, Freddie is a frog.

Is Freddie a frog or a rabbit?

A frog, Freddie is a frog. He’s not a rabbit.

Where does Freddie live?

In Frogland, Freddie lives in Frogland.

Does Freddie live in Canada or Frogland?

Frogland, Freddie lives in Frogland.

Does Freddie live in Canada?

No, Freddie doesn’t live in Canada.

Does Freddie live in Frogland?

Yes, he does. Freddie lives in Frogland.

What is Frogland? Is Frogland a country?

Yes, it is. Frogland is a country. It is the country where Freddie the frog lives. Freddie the frog lives in the country of Frogland.

When he was growing up his father ran a tight ship.

Did his father run a tight ship when he was growing up?

Yes, he did. His father ran a tight ship when he was growing up.

What did his father do?

He ran a tight ship. His father ran a tight ship.

Did his father run a race or run a tight ship?

He ran a tight ship. He did not run a race.

Did his father own a boat?

No, his father did not own a boat.

Did his father run a tight ship?

Yes, he did. His father ran a tight ship.

Was his father strict?

Yes, yes, he was. He ran a tight ship, which is the same as saying he was strict. To run a tight ship means to be strict.

Did his father control what he did?

Yes, he did. His father ran a tight ship, which is the same thing as saying his father was controlling, or that he controlled what he did. So his father ran a tight ship, which is the same as saying his father was strict, or you could say his father was controlling, his father controlled what he did, this is all the same thing.

Who ran a tight ship?

His father, his father ran a tight ship.

Did his mother or his father run a tight ship?

His father, his father ran a tight ship.

Whose father ran a tight ship?

Freddie’s, Freddie’s father ran a tight ship.

Did Freddie’s father run a tight ship?

Yes, he did. Freddie’s father ran a tight ship.

Was Freddie’s father strict?

Yes, Freddie’s father was strict. Freddie’s father ran a tight ship.

Did Freddie’s father control what Freddie did?

Yes, he did. His father ran a tight ship. His father was controlling. His father was strict. These all mean the same thing.

When did his father run a tight ship?

When he was growing, when Freddie was growing up his father ran a tight ship.

Did his father run a tight ship when Freddie was growing up?

Yes, he did. He ran a tight ship when Freddie was growing up.

Did his father run a tight ship when Freddie was an adult?

No, it was when he was growing up, not when he was an adult.

Did his father run a tight ship when Freddie was a child?

Yes, when Freddie was a child his father ran a tight ship. Or you could say when Freddie was growing up his father ran a tight ship, it’s the same thing. When you are talking about growing up, you are talking about the time when you are a child.

Was his father strict when Freddie was a child?

Yes, he was. He ran a tight ship when Freddie was growing up, which is the same thing as saying his father was strict when he was a child.

He made Freddie practice jumping ten hours every day.

Did he make Freddie practice jumping ten hours every day?

Yes, he did. He made Freddie practice jumping ten hours every day.

What did he make Freddie do?

Practice jumping, he made Freddie practice jumping.

Did he make Freddie practice jumping or clean the house?

Practice jumping, he made Freddie practice jumping.

Who made Freddie practice jumping?

His dad, his dad made him practice jumping.

Did Freddie’s Uncle Kenny make him practice jumping?

No, it wasn’t his Uncle Kenny.

Did Freddie’s dad make him practice jumping?

Yes, he did. Freddie’s dad made him practice jumping.

Who had to practice?

Freddie, Freddie had to practice. His dad made him practice.

Did Freddie or his father have to practice?

Freddie did. Freddie had to practice. His father made him practice.

Did Freddie have to practice?

Yes, he did. Freddie had to practice. His father made him practice.

What did Freddie have to practice?

Jumping, he had to practice jumping.

Did Freddie have to practice playing the guitar or jumping?

Jumping, he had to practice jumping.

How much time did Freddie have to practice?

Ten hours, he had to practice ten hours.

Did he have to practice for ten hours or seven minutes?

Ten hours, he had to practice for ten hours.

How many hours did he practice?

Ten, he practiced for ten hours.

Did he practice for six or ten hours?

Ten, he practiced for ten hours.

How often did he practice?

Every day, he had to practice every day.

Did he only practice on Tuesdays?

No, he practiced more than just on Tuesdays.

Did he practice every day?

Yes, he did. He practiced every day.

Did Freddie’s dad make him practice jumping every day?

Yes, he did. His dad made him practice jumping every day.

Freddie was always tired

Was Freddie always tired?

Yes, he was. Freddie was always tired.

Who was tired?

Freddie, Freddie was tired.

Was Freddie or his father tired?

Freddie, Freddie was tired.

Was Freddie happy?

No, he wasn’t happy.

Was Freddie tired only sometimes?

No, he wasn’t tired only sometimes, he was tired more than that.

Was Freddie always tired?

Yes, he was. Freddie was always tired.

Why was Freddie always tired?

Well, it was because his father made him practice jumping for ten hours every day. That’s why he was tired.

so he could not pay attention in school.

Could Freddie pay attention in school?

No, he could not pay attention in school.

What was Freddie unable to do?

Pay attention in school, he could not pay attention in school.

Was Freddie unable to eat lunch or pay attention in school?

Pay attention, he was unable to pay attention in school.

Was Freddie able to listen in school?

No, no, he wasn’t. He was not able to pay attention in school which is the same thing as saying he was unable to listen in school. To pay attention means to listen to.

Who could not pay attention in school?

Freddie, Freddie could not pay attention in school.

Was it Freddie or his sister who was unable to pay attention in school?

Freddie, it was Freddie. Freddie could not pay attention in school.

Was Freddie unable to listen to his schoolteachers?

Yes, yes, we can say that. He could not pay attention in school so he was unable to listen to his schoolteachers.

Why was Freddie unable to pay attention in school?

Well, because he was too tired, that’s why.

Sometimes he couldn’t even tell what day it was.

Could he tell what day it was?

Well, sometimes he could not tell what day it was so, yeah, sometimes he could tell what day it was but not always.

Who couldn’t tell what day it was?

Freddie, Freddie couldn’t even tell what day it was.

Did Freddie know what day it was?

Well, sometimes he did but sometimes he did not know what day it was. If you say that you couldn’t even tell what day it was, that’s the same thing as saying you didn’t even know what day it was.

Did Freddie ever know what day it was?

Well, yes, it was only sometimes that he could not tell what day it was, which means that sometimes he did not know what day it was. So sometimes he did know what day it was, but other times he did not know.

“I’m telling you, I just want to chase flies with my friends,” Freddie said to his dad.

Did Freddie tell his dad he just wanted to chase flies?

Yes, he did. He said, “I just want to chase flies.” Was Freddie joking?

No, no, he was not joking. When he said to his dad “I’m telling you,” that means that he was not joking. I’m telling you means I’m serious, I’m not joking.

Was Freddie serious?

Yes, he was. He said, “I’m telling you,” which means I’m serious or it means I’m not joking.

What did Freddie want to do?

Well, he wanted to chase flies with his friends.

Did Freddie want to go to school or chase flies?

He wanted to chase flies.

Who wanted to chase flies?

Freddie, Freddie wanted to chase flies.

Did Freddie’s dad want to chase flies?

No, it wasn’t Freddie’s dad.

Did Freddie want to chase flies?

Yes, he did. Freddie wanted to chase flies.

What did Freddie want to chase?

Flies, he wanted to chase flies.

Did he want to chase cars or flies?

Flies, he wanted to chase flies. He didn’t want to chase cars.

Was Freddie joking when he said he wanted to chase flies?

No, he was not. He said, “I’m telling you, I just want to chase flies,” which is the same thing as saying I’m not joking, I want to chase flies or I am serious, I want to chase flies.

Did Freddie really want to chase flies?

Well, yes, he did. He said he was serious or he was not joking and that he wanted to chase flies, so I guess he really did want to chase flies.

Who did Freddie want to chase flies with?

His friends, he wanted to chase flies with his friends.

Did he want to chase flies with his dad?

No, he did not want to chase flies with his dad.

Did Freddie tell his dad he was serious?

Yes, he did. He said, “I’m telling you,” which means I’m serious.

Did Freddie tell his dad that he was not joking?

Yes, he did. He said, “I’m telling you,” which means I’m not joking.

Then his dad said, “It’s my way or the highway.” Did his dad say “It’s my way or the highway”?

Yes, he did. That’s what his dad said. His dad said, “It’s my way or the highway.” What did his dad say?

Well, he said, “It’s my way or the highway.” Did his dad tell Freddie that he had to do what he said?

Well, yes, he told him “It’s my way or the highway,” which means he was telling Freddie that he had to do what he said.

Did his dad tell him to do as he told him or leave?

Yes, he did. His dad told him “It’s my way or the highway,” which is the same thing as saying that he had to do what his father told him or he had to leave. When someone says my way or the highway it means you have to do what I am saying or you have to leave.

Who said, “It’s my way or the highway”?

Freddie’s dad, Freddie’s dad said it.

Did Freddie say “It’s my way or the highway”?

No, Freddie didn’t say it.

Did Freddie’s dad say “It’s my way or the highway”?

Yes, he did. It was Freddie’s dad who said, “It’s my way or the highway.” Who was his dad talking to?

Well, he was talking to Freddie.

Was he talking to Freddie or Freddie’s mom?

Freddie, he was talking to Freddie.

Did Freddie’s dad say that he had to leave if he did not do what he said?

Yes, he did. Freddie’s dad said, “It’s my way or the highway,” which is the same thing as saying Freddie’s dad said that Freddie had to do what he said or he had to leave.

His dad always told him that he would be a jumping champion.

Did his dad always tell him that he would be a jumping champion?

Yes, he did. His dad always told him that he would be a jumping champion.

What did his dad tell him?

Well, he told him that he would be a jumping champion.

Did his dad tell him that he would be the best jumper?

Well, yeah, that’s correct. He said he would be a jumping champion and if you’re a jumping champion that means that you must be the best jumper.

Who told him that he would be a jumping champion?

His dad, his dad told him that he would be a jumping champion.

Did Freddie’s dad tell him that he would be a jumping champion?

Yes, he did. Freddie’s dad told him that he would be a jumping champion.

Who would be a jumping champion? Would Freddie or his father be a jumping champion?

Freddie, Freddie would be a jumping champion.

What would Freddie be? Would he be a football player or a jumping champion?

A jumping champion, Freddie would be a jumping champion.

Sure enough, when he was 18 years old, he became the jumping champion of his country.

Did he become the jumping champion of his country when he was 18 years old?

Yes, he did. He became the jumping champion of his country when he was 18 years old.

Did he become the champion sure enough?

Yes, sure enough, he became the champion.

Did he become the champion as expected?

Yes, he did. He became the champion sure enough, which is the same thing as saying he became the champion as expected. Sure enough means as expected.

Was it expected that he would become the champion?

Yes, it was. Sure enough, he would become the champion, which is the same thing as saying it was expected that he would become the champion.

Was it believed that he would become the champion?

Yes, it was. Sure enough, he would become champion, or it was believed that he would become the champion.

Who became the jumping champion?

Freddie, Freddie became the jumping champion.

Did Freddie or his father become the jumping champion?

Freddie did. Freddie became the jumping champion.

What did Freddie become? Did he become the jumping champion?

Yes, he did. He became the jumping champion.

Did he become the jumping champion of his country?

Yes, he did. He became the jumping champion of his country.

What country did he become the jumping champion of? Did he become the jumping champion of France?

No, it wasn’t France.

Did he become the jumping champion of Frogland?

Yes, he did. He became the jumping champion of Frogland.

When did he become the jumping champion?

When he was 18 years old, when he was 18 years old he became the jumping champion.

How old was he when he became the jumping champion?

Eighteen years old, he was 18 years old when he became the jumping champion.

Was he 16 or 18 years old?

Eighteen, he was 18 years old.

Did Freddie become the champion sure enough?

Yes, he did. Sure enough, Freddie became the champion.

Did Freddie become the champion as expected?

Yes, he did. He became the champion sure enough, which is the same thing as saying he became the champion as expected. Sure enough means as expected.

Now Freddie is 55 years old.

Is Freddie now 55 years old?

Yes, he is. Freddie is now 55 years old.

Who is now 55 years old?

Freddie, Freddie is now 55 years old.

Is Kenny or Freddie now 55 years old?

Freddie, Freddie is now 55 years old.

How old is Freddie?

Fifty-five years old, Freddie is 55 years old.

Is he 55 years old or 25 months old?

Fifty-five years old, Freddie is 55 years old.

How many years old is Freddie?

Fifty-five, he is 55 years old.

Is he 55 or 63 years old?

Fifty-five, he is 55 years old now.

Was he 55 years old three years ago?

No, he’s 55 years old now.

He thinks about his dad a lot.

Does he think about his dad a lot?

Yes, he does. He thinks about his dad a lot.

What does he do?

He thinks about his dad a lot.

Does he race cars or think about his dad a lot?

He thinks about his dad a lot. He doesn’t race cars.

Who thinks about his dad a lot?

Freddie, Freddie thinks about his dad a lot.

Does Roger the rabbit think about his dad a lot?

No, not Roger the rabbit.

Does Freddie the frog think about his dad a lot?

Yes, he does. Freddie the frog thinks about his dad a lot.

Who does he think about?

His dad, he thinks about his dad.

Does he think about his mother or his father?

His father, he thinks about his father a lot.

Does he think about his father just a little?

No, he thinks about his father more than just a little.

Does he think about his father a lot?

Yes, he does. He thinks about his father a lot.

Now he knows that there was method to his dad’s madness.

Does he now know that there was method to his dad’s madness?

Yes, he does. He now knows there was method to his dad’s madness.

What does he know?

Well, he knows that there was method to his dad’s madness.

When he was younger was Freddie able to understand why his father made him practice every day?

No, no, he was not able to understand why his father made him practice every day.

Does Freddie now know why his father made him practice every day?

Yes, now he knows. He knows that there was method to his dad’s madness, which means he now understands why his dad made him practice every day.

Who knows that there was method to his dad’s madness?

Freddie, Freddie knows that there was method to his dad’s madness.

Does Freddie or his mother now know that there was method to his dad’s madness?

Freddie, Freddie now knows that there was method to his dad’s madness.

Does Freddie now know that there was method to his dad’s madness?

Yes, he does. Freddie now knows that there was method to his dad’s madness.

Does Freddie now understand why his dad made him practice jumping?

Yes, he does. He understands now, he knows that there was method to his dad’s madness, so he didn’t understand back then why his father made him practice jumping, but now he does.

Okay, so we are now at the end of the story which means we are at the end of the mini-story lesson for the conversation “Parents.” Now it’s your turn to tell this story on your own. Remember that you do not need to memorize every word in the story, but that you do need to use the vocabulary words and idioms that we discussed. Those are: “growing up,” “ran a tight ship,” “pay attention,” “couldn’t even tell,” “I’m telling you,” “my way or the highway,” “sure enough,” “method to his madness.” Okay, so good luck telling the story and remember you can listen to this lesson as many times as you need to.

Okay, see you next time.