Lesson 20

Text A

                                       Honesty
    A man went to an insurance office to have his life insured.
The manager of the office asked him how old his parents .were when they died.
    "Mother had a bad heart and died at the age of thirty. Father died of tuberculosis when he was thirty-five. "
    "I am very sorry," said the manager, "We cannot insure your life as your parents were not healthy. "
    As the man was leaving the office, depressed, he met a elerk who had overheard the conversation.
    "You must not be so frank and tell the truth," said the clerk, "no office will insure you if you speak like that. Use your imagination a little. "
    The man went to another office and was shown into the manager's room.
    "Well, young man, how old were your parents when they died?"
    "Mother was ninety-three, and she died from a fall off her bicycle. Father was ninety-eight and he died while he was playing football. "

Text B

                                 Can You Deliver It?

Questions on Text B

7. Read the following passage once. Underline the key words while reading and retell the story to your partner.

                              They Are Here in My Hand !
   Mrs Williams loved flowers and had a small but beautiful garden. In the summer, her roses were always the best in her street. One summer afternoon her bell rang, and when she went to the front door, she saw a small boy outside. He was about seven years old,,and was holding a big bunch of beautiful roses in his hand.
   "I am selling roses", he said. "Do you want any? They are quite cheap. Five pence for a big bunch. They are fresh. I picked them this afternoon. "
   "My boy,"Mrs Williams answered, "I pick roses whenever I want, and don't pay anything for them, because I have lots in my garden. "
   "Oh , no , you haven't , " said the small boy. "There aren't any roses in your garden - because t.hey are here in my hand!"