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Birthday Suit – 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 about some of the words and phrases that you will hear me use in today’s story. So let’s start.

Okay, first is the word “outsider,” outsider. So if a person is an outsider it means that person is not accepted by other people. It means that they’re not welcome by other people. Okay, usually this is said because the person’s different or maybe some people think the person is a little strange even. Okay, let me give you an example though. John was an outsider in his school when he was 6 years old because he was already 7 feet tall. Okay, so what I’m saying is John was not accepted in his school when he was 6 years old because he was already 7 feet tall.

Okay, so next I have an idiom for you and that idiom is “birthday suit,” birthday suit. So if you are in your birthday suit it means that you have no clothes on. So here’s an example for you. When Bill swam in the lake, he was in his birthday suit. Okay, so what I’m saying is when Bill swam in the lake, he had no clothes on.

Okay, next I have another idiom for you and that idiom is “to get canned,” to get canned. So if you get canned it means that you lose your job. So as an example, Bill got canned because he was late for work every day. Okay, so what I’m saying is Bill lost his job because he was late for work every day.

Okay, next I have another idiom for you and this is one that’s used quite a lot in the English language. It’s to “break up with someone,” to break up with someone. So when you break up with someone, you end the relationship with that person. And usually when we use this idiom, we use it when talking about a couple that’s dating, okay? So here’s an example for you. John broke up with Sally because he was in love with another woman. Okay, so what I’m saying is John ended his relationship with Sara, Sally, excuse me, because he was in love with another woman.

Okay, next is another idiom and this is an idiom that Kristin helped me to come up with for this story. She suggested I use this one. The idiom is “down in the dumps.” So if a person is down in the dumps, it means that person is sad or upset. So here’s an example with that. When Jill’s cat died, she was down in the dumps. So when Jill’s cat died, she was very sad or she was upset.

Okay, so I have one more for you and this one is “to break down,” to break down. So if a car or a machine of some sort breaks down, it means that it stops working, does not work anymore. So here’s an example with that. When I drove my car to the store, it broke down. When I drove my car to the store, it stopped working.

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 tell you the story. So when I ask you a question, I want you to answer that question quickly. Just say the first answer that you think of and do not worry about making a mistake. I mean I don’t want you to make a mistake but if you do, it’s not anything that’s too bad because you’re probably going to listen to this lesson many more times. So if you make a mistake this time, chances are you will not make the mistake the next time you listen to this lesson. Okay? And when you answer these questions, please speak loudly and confidently. Okay, well I think it’s time for our story then. Let’s start.

There was a man and his name was Charlie and Charlie lived in New York. And unfortunately, Charlie was an outsider. Yes, Charlie was an outsider because he was always in his birthday suit.

When Charlie went to the store, he was in his birthday suit. When Charlie went to the library, he was in his birthday suit. And when Charlie went to work, he was in his birthday suit. You see, Charlie was always in his birthday suit and that’s why he was an outsider. In fact, Charlie was the only person in all of New York who was always in his birthday suit.

Okay, time for some questions. Who lived in New York? Did Kristin live in New York?

No, no, Kristin didn’t live in New York.

Who lived in New York?

Charlie did, Charlie lived in New York.

And where did Charlie live? Did he live in Argentina or New York?

New York, yes, Charlie lived in New York.

So tell me this. Was Charlie an outsider?

Yes, yes, he was, Charlie was an outsider.

Who was an outsider?

Charlie was, yeah, Charlie was an outsider.

So was Charlie accepted by other people?

No, no, he was not accepted by other people. He was an outsider.

Okay, but tell me this. Why was Charlie an outsider? Was he an outsider because he was always in his birthday suit?

Yes, yes, that’s why Charlie was an outsider. He was an outsider because he was always in his birthday suit.

Who was always in his birthday suit?

Charlie was, yeah, Charlie was always in his birthday suit.

And how often was Charlie in his birthday suit?

Always, he was always in his birthday suit.

So tell me this. Was Charlie always wearing a lot of clothes or was he always wearing no clothes?

No clothes, Charlie was always wearing no clothes, or you could say he was never wearing any clothes.

He was always in his birthday suit so that means he did not wear any clothes.

Well, you may be wondering, you may be even asking yourself, what did Charlie do for a job?

Well, that’s a good question. Charlie was a waiter and he was a very good waiter. In fact, Charlie was the best waiter in all of New York. And one day Charlie got a job at an Indian restaurant. And after Charlie got the job he was very excited because he loved Indian food. But unfortunately, the first day that Charlie worked at the Indian restaurant there was a problem. Yes, the first day that Charlie worked at the Indian restaurant, he got canned. Yes, Charlie got canned. You know why he got canned? The customers did not want to be served by a man in his birthday suit.

Okay, time for some more questions. What was Charlie’s job? Was he a lawyer?

No, no, Charlie was not a lawyer.

What was Charlie’s job? What did Charlie do for work?

He was a waiter, yes, Charlie was a waiter.

And who was the best waiter in all of New York?

Charlie was, Charlie was the best waiter in all of New York.

Was Charlie the best waiter in all of India or all of New York?

New York, yeah, Charlie was the best waiter in all of New York.

So did Charlie get a job at an Indian restaurant?

Yes, yes, he did, Charlie got a job at an Indian restaurant.

Who got a job at an Indian restaurant? Did AJ get a job at an Indian restaurant?

No, no, AJ did not get a job at an Indian restaurant.

Who got a job at an Indian restaurant?

Charlie did, yeah, Charlie got a job at an Indian restaurant.

And did Charlie get a job at a Mexican restaurant or an Indian restaurant?

An Indian restaurant, Charlie got a job at an Indian restaurant.

And what kind of food did Charlie love?

Indian food, Charlie loved Indian food and that’s why he was very happy when he got the job at the Indian restaurant. He loved Indian food.

Okay, so now tell me this. Did Charlie get canned the first day he worked at the Indian restaurant?

Yes, yes, he did, Charlie got canned.

Who got canned?

Charlie did, Charlie got canned.

And when did Charlie get canned?

The first day he worked at the Indian restaurant, Charlie got canned the first day he worked at the Indian restaurant.

So tell me this. Did Charlie get canned the fourth day he worked at the Indian restaurant?

No, no, Charlie did not get canned the fourth day he worked at the Indian restaurant. He got canned the first day he worked at the Indian restaurant.

So did Charlie lose his job?

Yes, yes, he did, he got canned and when a person gets canned it means that they lose their job. So Charlie got canned. He lost his job.

But tell me this. Why did Charlie get canned?

Well, Charlie got canned because the customers did not want to be served by a man in his birthday suit.

Well, after Charlie got canned he was upset. So he called his girlfriend and Charlie’s girlfriend’s name was Sara. And Sara knew that Charlie was upset so she invited Charlie to have dinner with her and her father. Well, Charlie had never met Sara’s father before so he accepted her invitation to have dinner with them.

Okay, time for some more questions. Who did Charlie call after he got canned? Did he call his mother or his girlfriend?

His girlfriend, Charlie called his girlfriend.

And when did Charlie call his girlfriend?

After he got canned, Charlie called his girlfriend after he got canned.

Did Charlie call his girlfriend before he got canned?

No, no, Charlie called his girlfriend after he got canned.

Okay, so tell me this now. What was Charlie’s girlfriend’s name?

Sara, right? His girlfriend’s name was Sara.

And did Sara invite Charlie to have dinner with her and her father?

Yes, yes, she did, she invited Charlie to have dinner with her and her father.

Who invited Charlie to have dinner with her and her father?

Sara did, yeah, Sara invited Charlie to have dinner with her and her father.

And who did Sara invite to have dinner with her and her father?

Charlie, yeah, she invited Charlie to have dinner with her and her father.

Okay, but tell me this. What did Sara invite Charlie to do?

Well, she invited Charlie to have dinner with her and her father.

So had Charlie ever met Sara’s father?

No, no, Charlie had never met Sara’s father.

And who had Charlie never met?

Sara’s father, yeah, Charlie had never met Sara’s father.

So did Charlie accept Sara’s invitation to have dinner with her and her father?

Yes, yes, he did, Charlie accepted Sara’s invitation to have dinner with her and her father.

Well, Charlie walked to Sara’s house and when he arrived at her house, he knocked on the door.

And Sara’s father answered the door. But then there was a problem. Sara’s father did not allow Charlie to come in the house. Yeah, you know why? Sara’s father did not allow Charlie to come in the house because Charlie was in his birthday suit. So Charlie left. Yeah, he left. And after Charlie left, Sara’s father told Sara that she was not allowed to date Charlie anymore. So that night Sara broke up with Charlie. Poor Charlie. He was having a bad day, huh?

Okay, time for some more questions. Did Charlie run or walk to Sara’s house?

He walked, yeah, Charlie walked to Sara’s house.

And where did Charlie walk to? Did he walk to the store?

No, no, Charlie didn’t walk to the store.

Where did Charlie walk to?

Sara’s house, right? He walked to Sara’s house.

And did Sara’s father allow Charlie to come in the house?

No, no, he did not allow Charlie to come in the house.

Who didn’t allow Charlie to come in the house?

Sara’s father, yeah, Sara’s father did not allow Charlie to come in the house.

Okay, but why? Why didn’t he allow Charlie to come in the house?

Because Charlie was in his birthday suit.

Who was in his birthday suit? Was Sara’s father in his birthday suit?

No, no, Sara’s father was not in his birthday suit.

Who was in his birthday suit?

Charlie was, Charlie was in his birthday suit.

So tell me this then. Did Sara’s father tell Sara that she was not allowed to date Charlie anymore?

Yes, yes, he did, he told Sara she was not allowed to date Charlie anymore.

So did Sara break up with Charlie?

Yes, yes, she did, she broke up with Charlie.

Who broke up with Charlie? Did Kristin break up with Charlie?

No, no, Kristin did not break up with Charlie.

Who broke up with Charlie?

Sara did, right? Sara broke up with Charlie.

And tell me this, who did Sara break up with?

Charlie, yeah, she broke up with Charlie.

So did Sara end her relationship with Charlie?

Yes, yes, she did, she broke up with Charlie. So that means she ended her relationship with Charlie.

When you break up with someone it means you end the relationship with that person.

Well, after Sara broke up with Charlie, Charlie was down in the dumps. And he needed something to change in his life so he decided to leave New York. Yes, Charlie decided to leave New York.

And Charlie’s brother lived in Texas so Charlie started to drive to Texas. And he drove for 14 hours but then his car broke down. Poor Charlie. Charlie was having a bad week.

Okay, time for some more questions. Was Charlie down in the dumps after Sara broke up with him?

Yes, yes, he was, he was down in the dumps after Sara broke up with him.

And who was down in the dumps? Was Sara down in the dumps?

No, no, Sara was not down in the dumps.

Who was down in the dumps?

Charlie was, Charlie was down in the dumps.

And tell me this now. When was Charlie down in the dumps?

After Sara broke up with him, Charlie was down in the dumps after Sara broke up with him.

So was Charlie very sad after Sara broke up with him?

Yes, yes, he was, he was down in the dumps and when a person is down in the dumps it means that person is sad or they’re very upset. So Charlie was down in the dumps. He was sad or he was upset.

Okay, so tell me this. Did Charlie decide to leave New York?

Yes, yes, he did, he decided to leave New York.

Who decided to leave New York?

Charlie did, yeah, Charlie decided to leave New York.

And what did Charlie decide?

To leave New York, Charlie decided to leave New York.

Okay, so tell me this. Where did Charlie’s brother live?

Texas, yes, Charlie’s brother lived in Texas.

Who lived in Texas? Did Sara’s father live in Texas?

No, no, Sara’s father did not live in Texas.

Who lived in Texas?

Charlie’s brother, Charlie’s brother lived in Texas.

And did Charlie’s brother live in Los Angeles?

No, no, Charlie’s brother did not live in Los Angeles. He lived in Texas. He lived in Texas.

So tell me this. Did Charlie start to drive to Texas?

Yes, yes, he did, Charlie started to drive to Texas.

And what did Charlie start to do?

Drive to Texas, Charlie started to drive to Texas.

Did Charlie start to drive to Las Vegas or Texas?

Texas, Charlie started to drive to Texas.

Okay, so did Charlie’s car break down after he drove 14 hours?

Yes, yes, his car broke down after he drove 14 hours. He drove 14 hours and then his car broke down.

So how many hours did Charlie drive before his car broke down?

14 hours, yes, he drove 14 hours and then his car broke down.

Okay, so whose car broke down?

Charlie’s, Charlie’s car broke down.

So did Charlie’s car stop working?

Yes, yes, it did, his car broke down and when something breaks down it means it stops working. So his car broke down. His car stopped working.

Well, Charlie’s car broke down in front of a restaurant. So Charlie went inside the restaurant and there were 12 people in there. There were 12 people in the restaurant and all of them were in their birthday suits.

Okay, so tell me this. Did Charlie’s car break down in front of a church or a restaurant?

A restaurant, his car broke down in front of a restaurant.

What broke down in front of a restaurant?

Charlie’s car, yeah, Charlie’s car broke down in front of a restaurant.

And tell me this, where did Charlie’s car break down?

In front of a restaurant, Charlie’s car broke down in front of a restaurant.

So how many people were in the restaurant?

12, yeah, there were 12 people in the restaurant.

So were there more than 10 people in the restaurant?

Yes, yes, there were 12 people in the restaurant, so that means there were more than 10 people in the restaurant.

So now tell me this. Did the people in the restaurant have a lot of clothes on or were they in their birthday suits?

They were in their birthday suits; all 12 people in the restaurant were in their birthday suits.

Well, I have some more information for you about Charlie. You see, that night at the restaurant Charlie made a lot of new friends and he had a lot of fun. And the next day Charlie’s car was repaired. His car was fixed. But Charlie decided not to continue driving to Texas. You see, the owner of the restaurant offered Charlie a job as a waiter. And he told Charlie that he was allowed to work in his birthday suit. So Charlie accepted the job offer and for the first time in his life, Charlie did not feel like an outsider.

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 the story to someone who you know. It can really be anyone who you know.

And if you really do not know someone to tell the story to, just tell the story out loud to yourself. You can even look in the mirror so then that way you feel like you’re telling the story to someone. And when you tell the story, I want you to use all the words and phrases that I taught you at the beginning of this lesson.

Okay, and I also want you to listen to this mini-story lesson every day for at least seven days.

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