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Bill Is Blue – Mini-Story Lesson

Hi, I’m Joe Weiss and I’m one of the teachers and directors of Learn Real English and I’d like to welcome you to this mini-story lesson. Okay, I’d like to start today’s lesson by telling you some of the words and phrases that you will hear me use in today’s story. So let’s start.

Okay, first I have a phrase for you and this phrase is an idiom and it’s to “be blue,” and it’s about a person being blue. So if a person is blue it just means that person is sad or that person is upset. Let me give you an example. When my grandfather died, I was blue. Okay, so what I’m saying is when my grandfather died, I was sad or I was upset.

Okay, next I just have a simple vocabulary word for you and that word is “toothpaste.” So toothpaste is a substance that’s used to clean your teeth. Okay, it’s that substance that you put on a toothbrush when you brush your teeth, okay? I’ve heard it called dental cream in some places but here in America we call it toothpaste. Okay, let me give you an example. Brad did not brush his teeth this morning because he didn’t have any toothpaste. Okay, so what I’m saying is Brad didn’t brush his teeth this morning because he didn’t have any of the substance you use to clean your teeth. He didn’t have any toothpaste.

Okay, next I have another phrase for you and it’s an idiom that I really like because it’s one that I use a lot. It’s to “put something off.” Okay, it’s really to put off doing something is what I should say. So if you put off doing something it means that you decide not to do it right at that time, okay? You delay doing it.

Let me give you an example to help you understand this one a little better. Even though John’s back had hurt him for two months, he put off going to the doctor. Okay, even though John’s back had hurt him for two months, he decided not to go to the doctor at that time. He delayed going to the doctor. Okay, he put off going to the doctor. He didn’t go to the doctor at that time. He delayed it. Okay?

Okay, next is another vocabulary word and it’s one that I think you might already know. It’s “puppy,” puppy. Okay, now a puppy is just a young dog, very much like a kitten is a young cat. So here’s an example. Jessica had always wanted to have a dog so her husband got her a puppy. Jessica had always wanted to have a dog so her husband got her a young dog. He got her a puppy.

Okay, so I have one more for you. This one’s a phrase and it’s an idiom and it’s for someone’s “eyes to light up,” like this, okay? So if someone’s eyes light up it means that person is excited. Here’s an example for you. When Jerry was offered the job, his eyes lit up. When Jerry was offered the job, he was excited.

Okay, so now I’m going to tell you a story and I’m also going to ask you a lot of questions as I’m telling you that story. So when I ask you a question, I want you to answer that question quickly. Just tell me the first answer that you think of. And don’t worry about making a mistake. Mistakes can be good if you learn from them and you’re going to listen to this lesson many times so you may make a mistake this time when you’re answering a question but you probably will not make the same mistake the next time you listen to this lesson and answer the same question because you will learn from it.

Okay, one other thing about when you answer these questions. I don’t want you to just think of the answers. I want you to say them loudly, okay? And I want you to speak confidently. I always want you to speak confidently and this is a great opportunity for you to have some practice with that. Okay, well it’s time for our story, so let’s begin.

There was a monkey and his name was Bill. And unfortunately Bill was blue. Yes, Bill was blue because his dog died and after Bill’s dog died he did not leave home for two years. He stayed at home and he did not leave for two years.

Okay, time for some questions. Was there a monkey or a mouse?

A monkey, of course, there was a monkey.

And what was the monkey’s name?

Bill, the monkey’s name was Bill.

And what kind of animal was Bill?

A monkey, Bill was a monkey.

Okay, so was Bill blue?

Yes, yes, he was, unfortunately Bill was blue.

Who was blue? Was Kristin blue?

No, no, Kristin was not blue.

Who was blue?

Bill, Bill was blue.

So tell me this. Was Bill happy or was he sad?

Oh, he was sad, he was sad, of course. Bill was blue and when a person is blue it means that person is sad or upset. So Bill was sad.

Okay, but why was Bill blue?

Well, Bill was blue because his dog died.

Whose dog died?

Bill’s, Bill’s dog died.

Did AJ’s dog die?

No, no, AJ’s dog didn’t die. Bill’s dog did.

So tell me this. Did Bill’s cat or Bill’s dog die?

His dog died, Bill’s dog died.

Did Bill’s cat die?

No, no, Bill’s cat did not die. Bill’s dog died.

So was Bill’s dog alive or dead?

Bill’s dog was dead, yeah, Bill’s dog was not alive because Bill’s dog died.

Okay, so tell me this. Who did not leave home for two years?

Bill didn’t, Bill didn’t leave home for two years.

And what didn’t Bill do for two years?

He didn’t leave home, Bill stayed at home and did not leave for two years.

And for how long did Bill stay at home and not leave?

Two years, Bill did not leave home for two years. He stayed at home and he did not leave for two years after his dog died.

Well, even though Bill did not leave home for two years, he always had plenty of food to eat. You see, Bill was lucky. There was a banana tree in front of Bill’s house so Bill always had plenty of bananas to eat. In fact, for two years Bill ate nothing but bananas. But even though Bill always had bananas, there was one thing he didn’t have, toothpaste. Bill didn’t have any toothpaste. He didn’t have any toothpaste because he didn’t go to the store to buy toothpaste for two years.

Okay, time for some more questions. Did Bill have a banana tree in front of his house?

He did, yes, Bill had a banana tree in front of his house.

And what kind of tree was in front of Bill’s house? Was there an apple tree or a banana tree in front of Bill’s house?

A banana tree, of course, there was a banana tree in front of Bill’s house.

And whose house was there a banana tree in front of?

Bill’s, there was a banana tree in front of Bill’s house.

So tell me this. Was the banana tree in front of Bill’s house or in front of Bill’s car?

His house, the banana tree was in front of Bill’s house.

Was the banana tree in front of Bill’s car?

No, no, the banana tree was not in front of Bill’s car. The banana tree was in front of Bill’s house.

And tell me this. Where was the banana tree?

In front of Bill’s house, right? The banana tree was in front of Bill’s house.

So did Bill always have bananas to eat?

Yes, yes, he did, he always had bananas to eat.

So who always had bananas to eat? Kristin or Bill?

Bill did, Bill always had bananas to eat.

And did Bill always have pizza to eat?

No, no, Bill didn’t always have pizza to eat. Bill always had bananas to eat.

So tell me this. Did Bill eat only bananas for two years? Did he eat nothing but bananas for two years?

Yes, yes, Bill ate nothing but bananas for two years. He only ate bananas during that time.

And for how long did Bill eat nothing but bananas?

Two years, he ate nothing but bananas for two years.

Who ate nothing but bananas for two years?

Bill did, Bill ate nothing but bananas for two years.

So did Bill have plenty of bananas or toothpaste?

Bananas, Bill had plenty of bananas.

Did Bill have any toothpaste?

No, no, unfortunately Bill did not have any toothpaste.

Okay, but why? Why didn’t Bill have any toothpaste?

Well, he didn’t have any toothpaste because he didn’t go to the store to buy toothpaste for two years.

Well, I have something else to tell you about Bill. Bill’s teeth were very dirty. Yes, Bill’s teeth were very dirty. In fact, his teeth were so dirty that they were black. Bill’s teeth were black. Bill had black teeth. You know why Bill’s teeth were so dirty? Because he did not brush his teeth for 19 months. Ew, 19 months without brushing his teeth. You may be wondering why he didn’t brush his teeth for 19 months. Well, I’m going to tell you. He didn’t brush his teeth for 19 months because he didn’t have any toothpaste.

Okay, time for some more questions. Did Bill have very dirty teeth? Were his teeth very dirty?

Yes, yes, Bill’s teeth were very dirty.

Tell me this. Whose teeth were very dirty?

Bill’s, Bill’s teeth were very dirty.

And what were dirty? Bill’s feet or his teeth?

His teeth were very dirty. His feet were not very dirty but his teeth were very dirty.

And were Bill’s teeth white or were they black?

They were black, Bill’s teeth were black because they were so dirty.

So tell me this. Who had black teeth? Kristin or Bill?

Bill did, Bill had black teeth. Kristin did not have black teeth.

Okay, here’s another question for you. Why were Bill’s teeth very dirty?

Well, his teeth were very dirty because he did not brush his teeth for 19 months.

Tell me this. Who didn’t brush his teeth for 19 months?

Bill didn’t, Bill didn’t brush his teeth for 19 months.

And for how long did Bill not brush his teeth?

19 months, right? Bill didn’t brush his teeth for 19 months.

And what didn’t Bill do for 19 months?

He didn’t brush his teeth, Bill didn’t brush his teeth for 19 months.

Okay, but why? Why didn’t Bill brush his teeth for 19 months?

He didn’t have any toothpaste. Bill didn’t brush his teeth for 19 months because he didn’t have any toothpaste.

So did Bill have any of the substance that used to brush your teeth, to clean your teeth?

No, Bill didn’t have any toothpaste so that means he didn’t have any substance that’s used to clean his teeth, okay? Because toothpaste is a substance used to clean your teeth and Bill didn’t have any of that.

Well, Bill had not gone to the dentist for three years, long time. And he needed to go to the dentist, of course. Bill needed to go to the dentist because his teeth were very dirty. And Bill knew he needed to go to the dentist but he put it off. Bill put off going to the dentist. He put off going to the dentist because he was blue so he didn’t want to leave home.

Okay, time for some more questions. Who had not gone to the dentist for three years?

Bill, Bill had not gone to the dentist for three years.

And what had Bill not done for three years?

He had not gone to the dentist. Bill had not gone to the dentist for three years.

And tell me this. Did Bill need to go to the dentist?

Yes, yes, he did, Bill needed to go to the dentist.

What did Bill need to do?

He needed to go to the dentist, Bill needed to go to the dentist.

And did Bill need to go to the doctor or the dentist?

The dentist, Bill needed to go to the dentist.

So did Bill go to the dentist or did he put it off?

Oh, he put it off, Bill put off going to the dentist.

Who put off going to the dentist? AJ or Bill?

Bill did, Bill put off going to the dentist.

And what did Bill put off doing?

Going to the dentist, he put off going to the dentist.

So tell me this. Did Bill decide not to go to the dentist at that time?

He did, yes, Bill put off going to the dentist so that means he did not go to the dentist at that time. He delayed going to the dentist. When you put something off it means you don’t do it at that moment. You delay doing it.

Okay, so tell me this now. Why did Bill put off going to the dentist?

Well, he put off going to the dentist because he was blue so he didn’t want to leave home.

Well, I have something else to tell you about Bill. One day Bill was eating a banana and seven of his teeth fell out of his mouth. So Bill had to go to the dentist and that’s what he did. Bill went to the dentist. And when he arrived at the dentist’s office, there were five puppies there. Yes, there were five puppies in the dentist’s office. And one of the puppies jumped on Bill and licked his face. And when the puppy licked Bill’s face, Bill’s eyes lit up.

Okay, time for some more questions. Was Bill eating a banana when seven teeth fell out of his mouth?

Yes, yes, he was, Bill was eating a banana when seven teeth fell out of his mouth.

Who was eating a banana?

Bill was, Bill was eating a banana.

Was Kristin eating a banana?

No, no, Kristin was not eating a banana, Bill was. Bill was eating a banana.

And what was Bill eating? Was he eating an apple?

No, Bill was not eating an apple.

What was Bill eating?

A banana, Bill was eating a banana.

Okay, so now tell me this. Did seven teeth fall out of Bill’s mouth?

Yes, yes, seven teeth fell out of Bill’s mouth.

And how many teeth fell out of Bill’s mouth?

Seven, seven teeth fell out of his mouth.

So did five teeth fall out of Bill’s mouth?

No, not five, seven, seven teeth fell out of Bill’s mouth.

So tell me this now. Did Bill need to go to the dentist?

Yes, he did, Bill needed to go to the dentist.

Who needed to go to the dentist? Bill or AJ?

Bill, of course, Bill needed to go to the dentist.

And what did Bill need to do?

Well, he needed to go to the dentist, of course. Bill needed to go to the dentist.

Did Bill need to go to the doctor or the dentist?

The dentist, Bill needed to go to the dentist.

So did Bill go to the dentist or did he put off going to the dentist?

Oh, Bill went to the dentist this time. He went to the dentist. He did not put off going to the dentist this time.

And where did Bill go? To the doctor or to the dentist?

The dentist, Bill went to the dentist.

Did AJ go to the dentist?

No, no, AJ didn’t go to the dentist, Bill did. Bill went to the dentist.

So tell me this. Were there five puppies in the dentist’s office?

Yes, yes, there were, there were five puppies in the dentist’s office.

And where were the puppies? Were they at the park?

No, no, the puppies were not at the park.

Where were the puppies?

In the dentist’s office, the puppies were in the dentist’s office.

And were there more than four puppies in the dentist’s office?

Yes, yes, there were five puppies in the dentist’s office and five is more than four, so there were more than four puppies in the dentist’s office.

So tell me this now. Did one of the puppies lick Bill’s face?

Yes, yes, one of the puppies licked Bill’s face.

And whose face did the puppy lick?

Bill’s, the puppy licked Bill’s face.

So did the puppy lick Bill’s hands or his face?

His face, the puppy licked Bill’s face.

So did Bill’s eyes light up when the puppy licked his face?

Yes, yes, Bill’s eyes lit up when the puppy licked his face.

Whose eyes lit up?

Bill’s, Bill’s eyes lit up.

And when did Bill’s eyes light up?

When the puppy licked his face, Bill’s eyes lit up when the puppy licked his face.

So was Bill excited when the puppy licked his face?

Yes, he was, his eyes lit up when the puppy licked his face so that means that he was excited. When a person’s eyes light up it means that person is excited.

Well, I have something else to tell you about the puppies. The dentist told Bill that each of the puppies needed a home. So that day when Bill left the dentist’s office, not only did he have seven new teeth, he also had a new puppy. And after Bill left the dentist’s office, he wasn’t blue anymore.

Okay, well that’s the end of our story and I hope you enjoyed this story because now it’s your turn to tell the story. I want you to tell this story to someone who you know. It can be anybody who you know. And if you really don’t have a person to tell the story to, please just tell the story to yourself. You can even look in a mirror so you are pretending then that you are telling the story to someone else. But don’t just think of the story in your mind, okay? I want you to actually say it out loud. And I want you to listen to this lesson every day for at least seven days, okay? The more you listen to it, the deeper you will learn the material, so more is better.

Okay, well that’s all for this mini-story lesson. I’ll see you next time.