داستان کوتاه

Barbara Needs Glasses – 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 want to start today’s lesson by telling you about some of the words and phrases that you will hear me use in today’s story, so let’s start.

Okay, first is to “flunk a test.” Okay, so if you flunk a test or an exam it means that you fail that test, okay? You do not pass it. So here’s an example for you. John got a D in chemistry because he flunked the final exam. So what I’m saying is John got a D in chemistry because he failed the final exam. He flunked it. He failed it, okay?

Alright, next is to “cost an arm and a leg.” So if something costs an arm and a leg it means that it’s very expensive, okay? It costs a lot of money. So let me give you an example with this one now. John loves BMW cars but he can never buy one because they cost an arm and a leg. John loves BMW cars but he can never buy one because they cost a lot of money, okay?

Alright, so next is “upside down,” okay? So if something is upside down it means that the top is on the bottom and the bottom is on the top. And the best way for me to give you an example with this, I think, is for me to actually show you. So let me show you this. I have a bottle right here, okay? And I’m holding this bottle correctly but I can turn it upside down like this, okay? So this bottle is now upside down.

Okay, so let’s continue. Next is to “be in a bind.” So if you are in a bind it means that you are in a difficult situation, okay? Or you’re in a situation where there’s trouble even, alright? So here’s an example for you. When John’s car needed to be repaired, he had no money so he was in a bind. When John’s care needed to be repaired, he had no money so he was in a difficult situation.

Okay, so I have one more for you and you may even know this one before I tell it to you but I want to tell you just in case. It’s to “be broke.” Okay, so if you are broke it means you have very little money or you may even have no money at all. So here’s an example. After John had his car repaired he was broke. Okay, so after John had his car repaired he had very little money or no money at all.

Okay, so now I’m going to tell you a story but I’m also going to ask you a lot of questions as I tell you this story. So when I ask you a question, please just tell me the first answer that you think of. Okay, the first answer that comes into your mind. And don’t worry if you make a mistake. You’re going to listen to this lesson many times.

So you may make a mistake this time when you listen to this lesson but you probably will not make the same mistake the next time. And when you answer these questions, speak loudly, okay? And, as

always, whenever you speak, please speak confidently. Okay, so it’s time to start our story. So let’s begin.

There was a woman and her name was Barbara and Barbara wanted to get a driver’s license. She wanted to get a driver’s license because she wanted to be able to drive a car. But, unfortunately, Barbara was unable to get a driver’s license because she failed the driving test. Yes, you see, Barbara failed the driving test because she had poor eyesight. She was unable to see well. So Barbara needed to wear glasses. And she knew that she needed to wear glasses but she refused to purchase a pair of glasses. Barbara refused to purchase a pair of glasses because a pair of glasses cost an arm and a leg.

Okay, time for some questions. Did Barbara want to get a driver’s license?

Yes, she did, yes, Barbara wanted to get a driver’s license.

And tell me this. Who wanted to get a driver’s license?

Barbara did, Barbara wanted to get a driver’s license.

And what did Barbara want to get? Did she want to get a haircut?

No, no, Barbara didn’t want to get a haircut.

What did Barbara want to get?

A driver’s license, yes, she wanted to get a driver’s license.

Why did Barbara want to get a driver’s license?

Well, she wanted to get a driver’s license because she wanted to be able to drive a car.

Did Barbara want to be able to drive a truck or a car?

A car, Barbara wanted to be able to drive a car. She did not want to be able to drive a truck.

So was Barbara able to get a driver’s license?

No, no, Barbara was unable to get a driver’s license.

Who was unable to get a driver’s license?

Barbara, Barbara was unable to get a driver’s license.

Okay, but why? Why was Barbara unable to get a driver’s license? Did she flunk the driving test?

Yes, yes, she did, Barbara flunked the driving test.

Did Kristin flunk the driving test?

No, no, not Kristin.

Who flunked the driving test?

Barbara did, Barbara flunked the driving test.

And tell me this. What did Barbara flunk? Did she flunk the cooking test?

No, Barbara didn’t flunk the cooking test.

What did Barbara flunk?

The driving test, Barbara flunked the driving test.

So did Barbara pass the driving test?

No, no, she didn’t, she flunked the driving test so that means she did not pass it. She failed the driving test.

Why did she flunk the driving test?

Well, she had poor eyesight, that’s why she flunked the driving test.

So was Barbara able to see well?

No, no, Barbara was unable to see well. She had poor eyesight. She was unable to see well.

So did Barbara need to wear glasses?

She did, yes, she needed to wear glasses.

Who needed to wear glasses? Did AJ need to wear glasses?

No, no, AJ didn’t need to wear glasses.

Tell me, who needed to wear glasses?

Barbara did, Barbara needed to wear glasses.

And what did Barbara need to wear? Did she need to wear a hat?

No, Barbara didn’t need to wear a hat.

What did Barbara need to wear?

Glasses, Barbara needed to wear glasses.

So tell me this. Did Barbara refuse to purchase a pair of glasses?

She did, yes, Barbara refused to purchase a pair of glasses.

And what did Barbara refuse to do?

Purchase a pair of glasses, Barbara refused to purchase a pair of glasses.

What did Barbara refuse to purchase?

A pair of glasses, yes, Barbara refused to purchase a pair of glasses.

Okay, but why? Why did Barbara refuse to purchase a pair of glasses? Did she refuse to purchase a pair of glasses because a pair of glasses cost an arm and a leg?

Yes, yes, a pair of glasses cost an arm and a leg.

What cost an arm and a leg?

A pair of glasses did, a pair of glasses cost an arm and a leg.

So did a pair of glasses cost just a little bit of money?

No, no, a pair of glasses cost an arm and a leg, so that means a pair of glasses cost a lot of money. If something costs an arm and a leg it means it costs a lot of money.

Well, let me tell you something else about Barbara. Barbara loved paintings. So one day she purchased a painting of a dog and she hung the painting in her bedroom. But, unfortunately, Barbara hung the painting upside down. Yes, Barbara hung the painting upside down because she was unable to see well so she was unable to see how she hung the painting. But even after Barbara hung the painting upside down she still refused to purchase a pair of glasses.

Okay, time for some more questions. Who loved paintings? Did AJ or Barbara love paintings?

Barbara did, Barbara loved paintings.

And tell me this. What did Barbara love? Did she love photographs?

No, Barbara didn’t love photographs.

What did Barbara love?

Paintings, Barbara loved paintings.

So did Barbara purchase a painting of a dog?

She did, yes, Barbara purchased a painting of a dog.

And what did Barbara purchase?

A painting, Barbara purchased a painting of a dog.

Did Barbara purchase a painting of a cat?

No, no, she didn’t purchase a painting of a cat.

What did Barbara purchase a painting of?

A dog, she purchased a painting of a dog.

So did Barbara hang the painting in her bedroom?

Yes, yes, she did, she hung the painting in her bedroom.

Who hung the painting in her bedroom?

Barbara did, Barbara hung the painting in her bedroom.

And which room did Barbara hang the painting? Did she hang the painting in the kitchen?

No, Barbara did not hang the painting in the kitchen.

What room did Barbara hang the painting in?

Her bedroom, Barbara hung the painting in her bedroom.

So did Barbara hang the painting upside down?

She did, yes, Barbara hung the painting upside down.

And what did Barbara hang upside down?

The painting, she hung the painting upside down.

So did Barbara hang the painting such that the top of the painting was on the bottom and the bottom of the painting was on the top?

Yes, yes, she did, she hung the painting upside down and if something is upside down it means that the top of it is on the bottom and the bottom of it is on the top. So yes, she hung it upside down. The top was on the bottom and the bottom was on the top.

Okay, so tell me this now. Why did Barbara hang the painting upside down?

Because she was unable to see well, yes, Barbara was unable to see well so she hung the painting upside down.

So after Barbara hung the painting upside down did she purchase a pair of glasses?

No, no, she didn’t, she still refused to purchase a pair of glasses.

Well, the next day was Barbara’s mother’s birthday so Barbara baked her mother a cake. But, unfortunately, Barbara put salt in the cake instead of sugar. Yes, Barbara put salt in the cake instead of sugar because she was unable to see well. So she was unable to see what she was putting in the cake. But even after Barbara made the cake with salt instead of sugar, she still refused to purchase a pair of glasses.

Okay, time for some more questions. Whose birthday was it? Was it Barbara’s birthday?

No, no, it wasn’t Barbara’s birthday.

Whose birthday was it?

Barbara’s mother, it was Barbara’s mother’s birthday.

So did Barbara bake a cake for her mother?

Yes, she did, yes, Barbara baked a cake for her mother.

And who did Barbara bake a cake for? Did she bake a cake for Kristin?

No, no, she didn’t bake a cake for Kristin.

Who did Barbara bake a cake for?

Her mother, yes, she baked a cake for her mother.

Tell me this. Who baked a cake for her mother?

Barbara did, Barbara baked a cake for her mother.

And did Barbara bake a loaf of bread or a cake for her mother?

A cake, she baked a cake, she did not bake a loaf of bread.

So tell me this. Did Barbara put sugar in the cake or did she put salt in the cake?

Salt, Barbara put salt in the cake.

And what did Barbara put in the cake?

Salt, she put salt in the cake.

So tell me this. Why did Barbara put salt in the cake instead of sugar?

Because she was unable to see well, so she was unable to see what she was putting in the cake. That’s why she put salt in the cake instead of sugar.

So tell me this. After Barbara put salt in the cake instead of sugar did she purchase a pair of glasses?

No, no, she still refused to purchase a pair of glasses.

Well, a week later Barbara wanted to visit her grandmother so she decided to take a train to visit her grandmother. And Barbara’s grandmother lived in New York. But, unfortunately, Barbara got on the wrong train, yes. Barbara did not get on the train that was going to New York. Barbara got on the train that was going to Texas. You see, Barbara got on the wrong train because she was unable to see well so she was unable to read the signs at the train station. And when Barbara got to Texas she was in a bind. Yes, Barbara was in a bind when she got to Texas because she had very little money.

Okay, time for some more questions. Did Barbara want to visit her grandmother?

Yes, yes, she did, she wanted to visit her grandmother.

And who wanted to visit her grandmother?

Barbara did, Barbara wanted to visit her grandmother.

And tell me this. Did Barbara want to visit her mother or her grandmother?

Her grandmother, Barbara wanted to visit her grandmother, not her mother.

Where did Barbara’s grandmother live?

In New York, yes, she lived in New York.

Did Barbara live in New York?

No, Barbara did not live in New York. Barbara’s grandmother lived in New York.

So did Barbara decide to take a train to see her grandmother?

Yes, yes, she did, she decided to take a train to see her grandmother.

And what did Barbara decide to do?

She decided to take a train to go see her grandmother.

Tell me this then. Did Barbara get on the wrong train?

Yes, yes, she did, she got on the wrong train.

So did Barbara get on the train that was going to New York or did she get on the train that was going to Texas?

Barbara got on the train that was going to Texas. She did not get on the train that was going to New York.

So why did Barbara get on the wrong train?

Well, she got on the wrong train because she was unable to see well so she was unable to read the signs at the train station.

Was Barbara in a bind when she arrived in Texas?

Yes, yes, she was, she was in a bind when she arrived in Texas.

Who was in a bind?

Barbara was, Barbara was in a bind.

And when was Barbara in a bind?

When she arrived in Texas, yes, Barbara was in a bind when she arrived in Texas.

So tell me this. Was Barbara in a difficult situation when she arrived in Texas?

Yes, yes, she was, she was in a bind so that means she was in a difficult situation.

Okay, but why was she in a bind?

She was in a bind because she had very little money.

Well, Barbara needed to find a job because she was broke and, fortunately, she found a job working for an eye doctor. And the first day she worked for the eye doctor, the eye doctor realized that she was unable to see well. So the eye doctor made Barbara a pair of glasses and he gave Barbara the glasses for free. So the pair of glasses did not cost an arm and a leg.

Okay, time for some more questions. Did Barbara need to find a job?

Yes, yes, she did, she needed to find a job.

Who needed to find a job?

Barbara did, Barbara needed to find a job.

And what did Barbara need to do?

She needed to find a job, yes, Barbara needed to find a job.

Okay, tell me this then, why? Why did Barbara need to find a job? Was it because she was broke?

Yes, yes, she was broke.

Who was broke? Was Kristin broke or was Barbara broke?

Barbara was broke. Kristin was not broke, Barbara was.

So did Barbara have very little money or no money at all?

Yes, yes, she was broke and if a person is broke it means that person has very little money or even no money at all.

So tell me this. Did Barbara find a job working for an eye doctor?

Yes, yes, she did, she found a job working for an eye doctor.

Who found a job working for an eye doctor?

Barbara did, Barbara found a job working for an eye doctor.

And what kind of doctor did Barbara find a job working for?

An eye doctor, she found a job working for an eye doctor.

So on the first day that Barbara worked for the eye doctor, did the eye doctor realize that Barbara was unable to see well?

Yes, yes, he did, he realized that Barbara was unable to see well.

And when did the eye doctor realize Barbara was unable to see well?

The first day that Barbara worked for him, yes, the first day that Barbara worked for the eye doctor he realized that Barbara was unable to see well.

So did the eye doctor make Barbara a pair of glasses?

Yes, yes, he did, he made Barbara a pair of glasses.

Who made Barbara a pair of glasses? Did AJ make Barbara a pair of glasses?

No, no, AJ did not make Barbara a pair of glasses.

Who made Barbara a pair of glasses?

The eye doctor did, the eye doctor made Barbara a pair of glasses.

And what did the eye doctor make for Barbara? Did he make her a pizza?

No, he did not make her a pizza.

What did the eye doctor make for Barbara?

A pair of glasses, yes, he made a pair of glasses for Barbara.

Did the eye doctor give Barbara the glasses for free?

Yes, yes, he did, he gave the pair of glasses to Barbara for free.

So did Barbara have to give the eye doctor any money for the glasses?

No, he gave them to her for free so that means he gave them to her for no money, so she did not need to give him any money for the eyeglasses.

So tell me this. Did the pair of glasses cost an arm and a leg?

No, no, they did not, they did not cost an arm and a leg because they did not cost a lot of money.

Well, after Barbara saved some money she went home and she got a driver’s license. And her mother’s next birthday she baked a cake for her mother again but this time she put sugar in the cake instead of salt.

Okay, well, that’s the end of this story and I hope that you enjoyed this story because now I want you to tell the story. I want you to tell this story to someone who you know. And when you tell the story I want you to use all of the things that I taught you at the beginning of this lesson, okay? All the words and phrases I taught you, please use them when you tell the story.

And if you want to make the story more interesting, you can add more details to it as you’re telling your friend or your classmate, whoever you tell the story to. For example, you can say that Barbara had blond hair or you could say that Barbara was five feet tall. You can add more details in order to make it more interesting.

Okay, I just wanted to tell you one other thing. I want you to listen to this lesson every day for at least one week, okay? And I’m sure after that week your story will probably be even more interesting after mine after you add all the new details.

Okay, well, that’s the end of this mini-story lesson. I’ll see you next time.