Last spring my parents and I were walking as usual on the
banks of the Volga River. Suddenly we saw a stranger in a green
overcoat who was lying on the ground. We could tell something
was wrong.
My father ran to him and asked the stranger what was
wrong. The stranger said one word in English, so my father
asked again, this time in English, “How are you feeling? What is
wrong?”
The stranger couldn't say anything because of problems with
his heart. At the same time my mother said, “Sasha, run to get a
policeman.” She called the ambulance and told them what she
knew at that time. In 30 minutes the stranger was in a hospital.
My parents and I visited him often. After two weeks he was
released from the hospital. Later when he came to our house, he
said, “Nobody helped me. People passed me by. When they
couldn't understand my poor Russian, they didn't stop to help.”
My father said, “It is because of your language and your
nationality.”
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My mother added, “Unfortunately in Russia the attitude
toward people from different countries is often not one of
kindness and compassion.”
Later, after this friendly stranger, Roger, became better, he
gave us a present, a green parrot. This is my pet now.
Now I know that this man is no longer a stranger. I know
that both he and my parrot are Australians.
Exercises
I. Understanding the Story
Make three questions asking about the main idea.
II. Vocabulary.
Write a sentence with each word; be clear about the meaning.
1. usual
2. ambulance
3. released
4. compassion
III. Now you Talk
1. How can we get rid of prejudice toward others?
2. What do you think was physically wrong with Roger?
3. How would you act in the situation on the river banks?
IV. Now you Write
1. Write a paragraph about being compassionate to those in need.
2. Write a new ending to this story.
3. Write about Julia going to Australia when she is an adult.
V. Role Play
1. The writer’s father and the doctor: They discuss Roger's
health.
2. The writer and her mother: They tell the grandmother about
the rescue.
3. Father and a neighbor: They disagree about helping strangers.
4. The writer and Roger: They talk about why he travels to other
countries.
5. The writer and her friend: They argue about kindness to
strangers. |
