Passage G2a

  1

**Here's Your Hat**

Every Saturday morning, there is a line of boys and girls on Garden Street.

They are waiting to see a film. The film never starts before eight o'clock. But the boys and girls can not wait, and come earlier every time. They start getting in line before eight o'clock.

One Saturday morning there was a very good film. Tom came running down the street. He wanted to be one of the first to get in.

Tom took one look at the line of boys and girls. What a long line it was! He was not going to go to the end of the line. No, sir. Tom walked up to the front of the line and pushed his way in there.

Tom had pushed his way right in front of Peter. Peter did not say a word. Instead, he reached up and pulled off Tom's hat. He handed the hat to the boy behind him and said,

"Pass it back, John."

John passed the hat to the girl behind him, saying,

"Pass it on, Kate."

Kate turned around and passed the hat back.

"Pass it on," she said.

Tom's hat went down the line until it got to Betty Cook at the very end.

Tom looked hard at Peter, and asked, "Where's my hat?"

Peter pointed down the line and said, "It went that way."

Tom looked at the long line.

There at the end of the line was Betty holding up Tom's hat.

Everyone smiled but said nothing. Tom did not smile, nor did he say anything.

He stood there for some time. Finally, he walked all the way back to Betty Cook.

"Here's your hat," she said politely.

Tom still goes to the films on Saturday mornings. But now he never goes to the front of the line. He goes straight to the end of the line and waits his turn to buy his ticket.

2

**The Monkey Man**

Carl, a poor man, was once out of work and was trying to find a job. One day he read in the newspaper that a man was wanted to work in a zoo.

"That would be wonderful," he thought. "I like animals, and looking after them would be very interesting."

So Carl went to the manager of the zoo and asked for the job.

"You look like a smart boy," said the manager. "You can start work tomorrow."

"What must I do?" asked Carl.

"Well, you see, it's like this," said the manager. "Our big monkey has just died and it will be two months before we can get another one, so we want you to take his place."

"You want me to take the place of a monkey!" cried Carl angrily. "Take his place yourself; you look more like a monkey than I do."

"Don't take it like that," said the manager. "I know you don't look like a monkey, but we'll dress you up. We've got a monkey's skin and when you put it on, you'll look very much like a monkey. Then all you have to do is to play about in the cage to amuse the children. It's a nice easy job and you'll get good pay for it."

Carl thought about it for a bit. He did not like the idea much, but, as the manager said, the money was good; and after all, he had to make a living. So he took the job. The next day he started work. It wasn't so bad. In fact, he quite enjoyed it. He climbed the tree in the cage, he stood on his head, and he swung himself from branch to branch. He ate the bananas the people gave him, and he threw the skins at those who did not give him anything. He ate well, and when he got tired, he could sleep in a little room behind the cage. The only thing he did not like much was the lion in the cage next to his. But, as there were strong bars between them, he soon got used to his neighbour.

One day he climbed up to the top of the bars. Suddenly he missed his footing and fell—not on his own side of the bars, but into the lion's cage. That great beast was asleep at the time but the noise of Carl's fall woke him up. He stood up and looked round to see what the matter was.

Carl had only one idea, to climb the bars again quickly to get back into his own cage. He tried to get up, but he had hurt his feet so badly that he could not move. He hid his face in his hands so as not to see the lion coming. The next few seconds seemed like hours. Then he heard the lion whisper in his ear, "Don't be afraid, old man, I'm in the same boat as you."

3 

**Keys to Number Twenty-one**

"We want a room on the first floor," said Mr White.

"Certainly, sir," the hotel manager answered.

"Have you a room with a private bathroom?" Mr White asked.

"Yes, sir," the hotel manager said. "Here are the keys to number twenty-one."

Mr White took the keys and went upstairs with his wife, Mrs White. They unlocked the door of number twenty-one and went into the room. They shut the door and put their cases on the floor.

"Listen!" said his wife. "There's a man in this room. He's singing."

"You're right!" said Mr White. "He's in the bathroom!"

Mr White knocked at the door of the bathroom. The singing stopped.

"Who is it?" a voice said.

"This is our room, "Mr White answered. "What are you doing here?"

"Your room!" the voice answered angrily. This is my room. Please go away. I'm taking a bath."

"I'll call the manager," said Mrs White.

Just then the door opened and the manager came in.

"I'm very sorry," he said. "I made a mistake. Your room is next door. Here are the keys to number twenty-two."

HOW THE BODY CELLS LIVE G2sr06

 6. HOW THE BODY CELLS LIVE

Each cell is a little body living on its own. It moves, digests, grows, excretes and reproduces. But, living as it does in a community of cells, it is not independent at all. The specialized cells of the body are dependent on each other for such things as nourishment and the removal of their waste matter. For example, if the digestive cells of the food canal do not perform their function properly the muscle cells will not receive nourishment, or if the excreting cells do not take away poisonous waste the cells of the body will be poisoned and die.

Some cells of the body move, but not many. It is not necessary for the majority to move.

All the cells of the body need food. They receive their food from a fluid called lymph, which permeates all the tissues and bathes the individual cells. The lymph circulates through the tissues, carrying food obtained from the food canal, the intestines.

All cells excrete waste matter. When the food has been used, the waste matter which the cells do not require is passed into the circulating lymph and is thus carried away. It is taken to the cells of the organs which are specialized for removing waste matter from the body.

All cells reproduce their own kind and grow. In performing their work cells become tired, worn out and die. If the tissue of the organ is to maintain its health new cells are required to replace the old ones. The healthy cells accomplish this by splitting their bodies, so that one cell becomes two cells and the two cells four, and so on. These cells are young and small, but they get nourishment and they grow into adult cells, and so carry on the function of the organ.

It is plain, therefore, that each organ of the body must perform its work well if the other organs are to maintain their health When they are all functioning well the body is healthy. The individual is vigorous and free from discomfort of any kind. When any organ fails to do its work, all the organs are liable to become affected; changes take place in their cells and their functions are disordered. Such changes give rise to sensations of sickness, pain, loss of strength, bad appetite, fever, and so on. Then the body is said to be diseased.

A THIRSTY WORLD G2sr05

 5. A THIRSTY WORLD

The world is not only hungry, it is also thirsty for man. This may seem strange, since nearly 75 per cent of the earth's surface is covered with water. But about 97 per cent of this is seawater, or salt water. Man can only drink and use the other 3 per cent—the fresh water that comes from rivers, lakes, underground, and other sources. And we cannot even use all of that, because some of it is in the form of icebergs and glaciers. Even worse, some of it has been polluted.

However, the need for water is increasing day by day. Only if steps are taken to deal with this problem now can we avoid a severe worldwide water shortage later on. A limited water supply would affect agriculture and industry. So we should all learn how to stop wasting water. One of the first steps is to develop ways to reuse it. Experiments have already been done in this field. Today, in most large cities, water is used only once and then flows through pipes to the sea, or into underground tanks for waste water. But it is possible to pipe water that has been used to a purifying plant. There it can be separated from waste matter and treated with chemicals so that it can be used again, just as if it were fresh from a spring.

But even if every large city purified and reused its water, there still would not be enough. Other sources would have to be found. Where could people turn to next?

The oceans seem to offer the best answer. There is plenty of water in the oceans. All that needs to be done is to remove the salt from the seawater. This process is expensive but it is already in use in many parts of the world. Research is going on to make the process cheaper. So you see, if we take these steps we'll be in no danger of drying up!

THE IMPORTANCE OF ENGLISH G2sr04

 4. THE IMPORTANCE OF ENGLISH

There are thousands of languages in the world. Each language seems to be the most important to those who speak it as their native language.

The importance of a language can be judged according to several things. The first is the number of native speakers that a language happens to have. The second is how widely the native speakers are spread over the world. Next comes the cultural, economic and political influence of those who speak it as their mother tongue and who write in it.

There can be no doubt that English is one of the world's most widely used languages. People use a language in one of three ways: as a native language, as a second language, or as a foreign language. English is spoken as a native language by nearly three hundred million people: in the United States, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, some Caribbean countries, and south Africa. As a second language, English is often necessary for official business, education, information and other activities in a great many countries such as India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Singapore, and the Philippines.

Along with Chinese, French, Spanish, Russian and so on, it is one of the few" working" languages of the United Nations and is more frequently used than the others.

It is said that English has become the language of international trade and transport. Most pilots in planes travelling from one country to another use it to talk with airports. All ships sailing on the oceans call for help by radio in it. It has been said that 60 per cent of the world's radio broadcasts and 70 per cent of the world's mail uses English. At international sports meets, at meetings of scientists from different countries and at talks of writers and artists from the corners of the earth, English is the language most commonly used and the most widely understood.

English has in fact become the language of international cooperation in science and technology. The most advanced results in space, nuclear and computer research are published in it. A scientist who speaks and writes English is in closer touch with the scientists in other countries than one who doesn't.

ROBIN HOOD AND HIS MERRY MEN G2sr03

 3. ROBIN HOOD AND HIS MERRY MEN

At the time of this story England was in the hands of nobles who ruled as they pleased. It was a common thing for a peasant to be thrown into prison and to be killed, or to be declared an outlaw and to be hunted like a wild beast from one end of England to the other.

One day Robin Hood, who was only a boy, was walking through Sherwood Forest when he was stopped by a party of the king's foresters. They made fun of him. "See the length of his bow," they said. "He carries it for show. He could never draw it."

“I will draw it at any mark you might choose,” cried the boy.

“There's your mark,” said the chief forester with an ugly smile, and he pointed to a herd of deer which had just come into view.

Without a word, Robin drew out an arrow, raised his bow and aimed it at the great deer leading the herd. Twang The great animal leaped and fell, with the arrow through his heart.

“Well, have I won?” Robin turned to the men and asked.

“Yes,” said the chief forester, “but you will be hanged for shooting the king's deer. Seize him, my men.”

In an instant Robin saw their trick. He was filled with rage, but he was powerless.

The foresters bound him and placed him on a cart. Then calling two wood-cutters nearby, they forced the wood-cutters to leave their work and pull the cart to town.

Towards evening the company stopped at an inn to rest. The older of the two wood-cutters, watching his chance, stole away into the forest. The younger one ran softly to the cart in which Robin lay. Quickly cutting the ropes, he helped Robin to his feet. and together they ran towards the woods.

Robin ran far into the forest and made his home there. By and by others joined him there — men like himself, who had been ill-treated by the cruel lords. They made him their leader, and his company grew larger and larger. The officers and the lords hated him and often tried to capture him and his followers. But as time went by, the company of Merry Men grew so strong that they had little to fear from the nobles.

Robin Hood's Merry Men became known all over England as rebels against the unjust rule of the lords, and as friends and helpers of the poor and oppressed. The mere mentioning of Robin Hood's name would bring fear to the lords and officers. On the other hand, the poor people from every part of the country would call on him for help whenever they were in trouble. Every time they did so, they got the help they needed.

No wonder, then, that the name of Robin Hood was dear to all the oppressed people in England. No wonder that they loved to tell of his deeds, and that his fame has come down in song and story to this day.

ESCAPE FROM THE ZOO G2sr02

 2. ESCAPE FROM THE ZOO

"This is Radio Two. This is the one o'clock news. A she-wolf escaped from the Dorford Zoo this morning and is believed to be still at large in the Dorford area. If hungry the wolf might be dangerous. If anyone sees this animal, please inform the nearest police-station.

Football: In the match between ..."

Mrs Clarke switched the radio off: she was not interested in football and she wanted to make her midday lunch before her baby woke up. She pushed the pram into the garden, left it under a tree out of the sun and went into the kitchen.

Ten minutes later she came to the back door to see if everything was all right. A big dog was standing by the pram looking at the baby. "That's the Johnson's dog. I've told them they ought to keep that great animal in their own garden. Those dogs are a bit too much like wolves." Then Mrs Clarke went cold. "Wolves. What have I heard about wolves?" She was sure she had heard something about an escaped wolf on the radio. She looked hard at the creature by the pram—and the more she looked the more certain she became. It wasn't the dog from next door. Like it, but different. It was as big as the dog, but the colour was greyer and it looked thinner.

At this moment the creature put its front legs on the side of the pram and leant over the sleeping baby, licking its face. The baby woke up and began to cry quietly.

Mrs Clarke wanted to scream, but she knew it would be wrong to do that. What should she do?" Inform the police, "the radio had said. But that meant leaving the garden and going to the telephone near the front door. She was sure that somehow she must get the wolf away from the pram. Then she remembered the piece of meat she had bought. It was on the kitchen table.

Very quietly she slipped into the kitchen and came back with the meat. The wolf was still standing over the pram licking the baby's face. The garden wasn't a very large one, but she threw the piece of meat into a corner under a tree well away from the pram. As the meat hit the ground the wolf looked round. It hesitated for a moment, then left the pram and walked slowly across to the meat and began to eat it.

Would she be able to reach the baby without the creature hearing her? It was sure to hear her if she made any sound. Mrs Clarke moved silently round to the pram. Almost afraid to breathe, she picked up the baby and ran for the kitchen door. Shutting it behind her, she sank down into a chair, sobbing with relief and holding the baby to her. After a while she remembered that children would soon be coming down the road on their way back to school. Some of them might get hurt. So she stopped crying and telephoned the police. "Stay where you are," she was told. "We'll be right round."

"The sooner the better," thought Mrs Clarke.

When the police arrived she told them what had happened, and took them to the kitchen window. "There it is," she said, "over there, under that tree in the corner." The wolf was lying on the grass still eating the piece of meat.

"You did well, Madam," said the sergeant. "I'm glad you called us. Very brave of you to do what you did, I'm sure. We've sent for a man from the zoo and he should be here in a minute. It was lucky you heard the broadcast. The creature looks quiet enough for the moment, so I think we'll leave it until the man comes."

Five minutes later the door-bell rang. "Here they are now," said the sergeant. Two men from the Dorford Zoo had arrived with a net and a small cage. Before long the wolf was safely in the cage, the rest of the meat still in its mouth.

"There goes your dinner, I'm afraid," said the man from the zoo. "But better that than ..."He saw the look on Mrs Clarke's face and stopped.

"Well, we'll be getting along. Thank you, Madam, for your help. I'm sorry you've been troubled. We'll see it doesn't get away again."

THE LAST LEAF G2sr01

 1. THE LAST LEAF

Many artists live in a certain part of New York City. Most of the buildings in this part are very old, and it is easy for poor artists to find rooms that they like.

Sue was a young woman who was studying art. One day in May, she met at a restaurant another young woman artist whose name was Johnsy.

There they found that they liked the same kind of art, the same kind of food, and the same kind of clothes. So they started to live and work together. They loved each other just like two sisters.

In November, pneumonia came to that part of the city. Many people caught it, and Johnsy was among them. She lay still in her bed all day, and looked from time to time through the window at the wall of the next house.

One morning the doctor spoke to Sue in the hall when they were alone. He told her that Johnsy had a very poor chance to get well again.

"She will have a chance only if she has a strong will to live," said the doctor. "But she has decided that she isn't going to get well."

The doctor said to Sue, "I'll do all I can. But you will also have to do your best to give her a strong will to live. Talk to her about new winter clothes, or picnics in the woods next spring. If she gets interested in the future, her chances will be better."

The doctor left. Then Sue went into Johnsy's room and began drawing a picture with pen and ink.

While Sue was drawing, Johnsy said something in a faint voice. Sue went quickly to the side of her bed. Johnsy's eyes were wide open. She was looking out of the window and was counting something.

"Twelve," said Johnsy. A little later she said, "Eleven, ... ten, ... nine, ... eight, ... seven."

Sue looked out. There was a wall covered with an old vine growing half way up it.

"Six," said Johnsy after a little while. "They are falling faster now. During the past three days almost a hundred have fallen. And now there are only six. There goes another. Only five are left now."

"Five what, dear? Tell me, Johnsy."

"Five leaves," said Johnsy. "When the last leaf falls, I must go, too. The doctor told you that I would die soon, didn't he?"

"Don't be silly!" said Sue." He said that you would soon get well."

"There goes another," said Johnsy."I know the last leaf will fall before dark. I want to see it when it falls."

"Johnsy," said Sue. "Shut your eyes and go to sleep. I'll go and ask Behrman to come up and sit here as my model."

Behrman was a poor artist who was over sixty years old. He always said that some day he would paint a great masterpiece. When Sue went into his room, he was alone, drinking. She told him about Johnsy and the leaves on the vine.

"What!" shouted the old man." Do people die because leaves fall from a tree? I've never heard such a silly thing. Just take me to her room."

Johnsy was sleeping when they went in. A cold rain was falling, mixed in the rain was snow.

The next morning Johnsy wanted Sue to pull up the shade.

There still was one yellow leaf at the end of a branch!

"It's the last leaf," said Johnsy."It will fall today, and I'll go with it."

When night came, the rain began to fall again with a strong wind.

Another morning came. Sue pulled up the shade. The lonely leaf was still there! Johnsy looked at it for a long time. Then she said to Sue, "I've been a bad girl, Sue. I've learned from that leaf that it's wrong to decide to die. Now I want to get well and paint again."

The doctor came to see Johnsy in the afternoon. Sue followed him into the hall and asked him, "Does Johnsy have any chance?"

"Yes, she does. She'll get well before long if you give her good care," said the doctor. "And now I must see another case downstairs. His name is Behrman. He's an artist. Pneumonia, too. He's very ill. There's little hope for him. We're going to take him to the hospital."

When Sue met the doctor the next morning, he said to her, "Your friend is safe now. All she needs is food and care. You've done it!"

In the evening Sue came to Johnsy's bed.

"I have something to tell you," said Sue. "Mr. Behrman died of pneumonia in the hospital today. He was ill only two days. When someone went into his room on the morning of the first day, Behrman was lying there with his shoes on. His shoes and clothes were all wet and as cold as ice. Nobody knew why."

"Oh, poor Behrman!" cried Johnsy.

"Look out of the window at the last leaf on the wall," said Sue." It looks like a real leaf, doesn't it?"

"A real leaf?"

"It's Behrman's great masterpiece. When the last leaf fell that night, he painted it there in its place."