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Rich Man, Poor Man
Chapter one: A Letter for Adam
Chapter two: Adam Goes to Darpur
Chapter three: An Identity Card
Chapter five: Adam Changes his Money Order
Chapter one
A Letter for Adam
One day a postman came to my village. The postman brought me a letter from my son, Saul.
“Is your name Adam?“ the postman asked.
“Yes,“ I said.
“I have got a letter for you.” The postman read the envelope:
“Adam of the village of Minta.”
“A letter for me. Who is it from?” I asked.
The postman looked at the envelope again.
“From Saul,” he said.
He gave me the letter and walked away.
“Martha, Martha,” I called to my wife.
“Come here. We have a letter from our son, Saul.”
Martha came out and looked at the letter. She was excited but she was also worried.
“A letter from Saul,” she said. “Is he alive and well? I’m going to find the school teacher. He can read the letter.”
There was no school fifty years ago. So I cannot read or write. I live in a small village. The only work is farming. My only son, Saul left the village two years ago and my three daughters are married. Saul is making a lot of money in a foreign country.
Martha and the school teacher came back. A lot of other people came. Everyone wanted to hear my letter. The school teacher opened the envelope and read the letter.
20 Taylor Street, London E. 19, England 16 March
Dear Father,
I am living in London. I have a job in a factory. The work is very hard, I often work at night. But the pay is good.
I am well and I live with people from my country. I am sending you 100 pounds in this letter. This is for you and my mother.
Love to you and mother.
Saul.
“One hundred pounds!” I said to the school teacher. “You’re wrong. It’s a mistake.”
“No”, the school teacher said.
“I’m not wrong. It’s not a mistake. Here is the money.”
And he gave me a piece of paper.
“What is this?” I asked.
“A money order,” the school teacher said.
“Go to Darpur. Take this money order to the Post Office in Darpur.
The money order is worth one hundred pounds. The Post Office official will give you the money.”
“One hundred pounds!” I said again .
Everyone laughed and said, “ Adam, you are a rich man. You can buy many things for your farm and for your house.”
“And I can buy some good food and drink in Darpur. I am going to give a party for you all,” I told my friends.
Martha said, “ Saul is a good son.”
That evening, the village people talked about the money order and my money. Martha and I also talked about the money. We needed many things for the farm.
Chapter two
Adam Goes to Darpur
The next morning I got up very early. It was dark and everyone was asleep. But I was going to Darpur. I washed and dressed carefully. I put on my best clothes and I carried my best stick. I put the money order carefully in my pocket and I said goodbye to Martha.
I walked ten miles to the main road. I sat down at the main road and ate my breakfast.
I waited for the bus. I waited for two hours. Then the bus came and I got on.
It is a long way to Darpur. The bus takes three hours. I arrived in Darpur and walked to the Post Office immediately.
I do not often go to Darpur. I only know the market, and one shop. This is the shop of Rick. I buy things for my farm from Rick
There were a lot of people in the Post Office. I asked about money orders. A man showed me the queue. There was a long line of people and I waited at the back.
Finally it was my turn ; I was at the front of the queue. But the official did not serve me.
“Excuse me,” I said .
“It’s my turn. I’m next.”
“You are next? Old man, I’m very busy,” the official said. “Look at my papers. Look at all these people. I am very busy. And you must wait,”
So I waited. Finally the official looked at me.
“What do you want?” he asked.
I gave him my money order.
“This is my money order for one hundred pounds,” I replied.
The official held out his hand. “Identity Card,” he said.
“Excuse me. I don’t understand,” I replied
“Your Identity Card,” the official said again. “Give me your Identity Card.”
“What is an Identity Card?” I asked.
“I can’t give you any money for this money order. First I must see your Identity Card. Your Identity Card gives your name and your address. Your Identity Card describes you. There is a photograph of you in your Identity Card. I don’t know you. Who are you?” The official was a little angry.
But I was also angry. “Who am I?” I said.
“Everyone knows me. I am Adam of the village of Minta. I haven’t got an Identity Card and I don’t need an Identity Card.” “Old man, I’m very busy and you’re very stupid,” the official said. “ Who are you? Where is Minta?
“Give me my money. Give me my one hundred pounds,” I said.
The official looked angry and said, “Show me your Identity Card. I don’t know you.”
The official gave back my money order and he turned away.
“Where can I buy an Identity Card?” I asked the official. He did not speak to me. He did not answer.
“Go to the Ministry of the Interior,” a man said.
He was standing in the queue. And he told me the way.
Chapter three
An Identity Card
I walked to the Ministry of the Interior. I waited in another queue. I spoke to another official. I asked for an Identity Card.
“Fill in this application from, the official said. “And bring the form and three photographs of yourself and two pounds. Come back tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” I said. “Can I have an Identity Card today please ? I live in Minta. I live five hours’ journey from Darpur. I’m an old man.”
“Yes, come back tomorrow.” And the official turned away.
I walked away from the Ministry of the Interior, I walked to the market. At the market I looked at everyone. I was looking for a man from my village. But I could not find a villager. So then I walked to the shop of Rick. I spoke to Rick.
“I want an Identity Card,” I told him. “But I need three photographs of myself.”
“I see. You need some photographs.” And he showed me the way to a photographer.
I found the house. The photographer was asleep but he came to me quickly. The man’s clothes were dirty and he looked tired.
“I need an Identity Card,” I said. “I want three photographs of myself.”
“Yes, you want three photographs of yourself,” the photographer replied.
“And I take very good photographs. Come and see my camera.”
We walked into his room. In the middle of the room was a large camera. “This is the best camera in Darpur. This camera is very, very good,” the photographer said proudly.
“I’ve never seen a camera,” I said. “I don’t know about cameras. Hurry up and take a photograph of me.”
“Please do not hurry me, old man,” the photographer said. I am an artist. “And he gave me a mirror and a comb.
I don’t want a mirror, I don’t want a comb. Please take my photograph. I’m going to Minta this afternoon. And I’m in a hurry,” I said.
“Yes,“ he said. “ But first the price. This is the best camera in Darpur and I’m the best photographer. Three photographs will cost you two pounds fifty.”
“Two pounds fifty!” And I laughed.
“Two pounds fifty-and pay me now please,” the photographer answered.
I did not know the price of photographs. What could I do? Then the photographer said, “You are an old man. For you, the price is two pounds.”
So I gave him the money and he took the photographs. “Come back tomorrow morning,” he said.
“I want my three photographs now, immediately,” I said.
“Don’t be stupid,” the photographer said. Photographs take twenty-four hours. Come back tomorrow.”
What could I do? So I said, “Yes. Tomorrow morning.”
“Good,” said the photographer. “Now go. I have a lot of work. I’m very busy.”
I went back to the bus station. I sat on the bus for three hours. I walked ten miles back to my village.
It was night time and I was very tired. Martha and my friends were waiting for me. “Where is the money?” Martha asked.
“I have no money. I cannot change the money order. First I must an Identity Card.” And I told Martha everything.
“Tomorrow I am going to Darpur again,” I said.
Then I did not talk again. I was very tired and it was late at night. I lay on my bed and I slept.
Chapter four
No photographs
I woke up late the next morning. The sun was already high. I did not walk to the main road and catch a bus. All the buses go to Darpur early in the morning.
So I stayed at home on Wednesday. I was still very very tired. I rested and talked to the villagers about the money order. I told them about the Identity Card and the photographer.
The school teacher said, “Yes, the official is correct. In a Post Office, you always show your Identity Card.” The school teacher filled in my application from for an Identity Card.
Application from for Identity Card
Name: Adam Jamei
Address: Village of Minta
Age: 72 years
Place of birth: Village of Minta
Occupation: Farmer
Colour of eyes: Brown
On Thursday I travelled to Darpur again. I walked to the main road and I caught a bus. In Darpur , I walked to the house of the photographer.
I knocked on the door of the house. No one came to the door. I knocked again loudly with my stick. A woman opened the door.
“Who are you? What do you want?” she asked.
“Can I have my photographs, please?” I said.
“Your photographs? I have no photographs,” the woman replied.
“I came here on Tuesday. Where is the photographs?” I asked.
“He’s out. He’s not here.” And the woman closed the door.
I shouted at her, “I’m waiting here for him.”
After a long time the photographer came back. He looked tired and he smelt of beer. “Give me my photographs, “ I said. “I have waited a long time for you.”
The photographer looked at me and said, “I don’t know you, old man. What photographr are you talking about?”
“My three photographs for my Identity Card. I paid you two pounds for them on Tuesday. Give me my photographs immediately or my money.”
“Your photographs? Your money? What are you talking about?” the photographer said.
“Show me the paper. Show me the receipt for your money.”
“My receipt? I asked.
“Yes. Where is your receipt?” the photographer asked.
“You didn’t give me a receipt,” I shouted. “Give me my photographer or my money immediately.” And I hit the photographer hard with my stick. I am old , But still strong.
The photographer fell on the ground. He shouted, “Help! Help! This old man is killing me.” And I hit him hard again.
Lots of people ran out of their houses. I hit the photographer again and two men held me.
I could not get away from the two men.
The photographer was very angry and I was very angry. Lots of people were shouting. Then a policeman came. The photographer shouted to the policeman, “This old man hit me three times with his stick. He’s a thief and a murderer. He wants my money.”
The policeman held my arm and said “Come with me to the police station.” I did not say anything. We walked to the police station. At the police station, the policemen asked me “Did you hit that man three times?”
“Yes,” I said, “he didn’t give me my photographs.”
“Show me your Identity Card,” said the policeman.
“ I am Adam of Minta village, “ I replied, “ and I haven’t got an Identity Card.”
“Old man,” said the policeman. “Go back to your village. Don’t come here and fight. Keep our of Darpur.”
And he pushed me into the street. I went back to my village. I was tired and angry.
Chapter five
Adam Changes his Money Order
Next day I told my story to all the villagers. The villagers were angry. Martha was very unhappy.
She said,” Saul is working very hard. He is sending money and we can’t have the money.
What are we going to do?”
I did not know. Then in the evening the school teacher came to my house again.
“Adam. Perhaps I can help you, “ the school teacher said. “Here is a letter to Mr Sheth.” “Mr?” I said, “Who is he?”
“He’s an important man in Darpur and he’s a friend of my wife’s cousin,” replied the school teacher. “This letter is to Mr Sheth. The letter is about your money order. Perhaps he can help you.”
I took the letter and thanked the school teacher.
So I travelled to Darpur again on Saturday, for the third time. After a long time, I found Mr Sheth’s house.
The door was opened by a tall man. “Can I see Mr Sheth?” I asked.
“And who are you ?” the tall man asked. I have a letter for Mr Sheth ,” I replied. “I see. Can I have the letter, please?” And the tall man held out his hand.
“The letter is here,” I said. And I took the letter out of my pocket. “But I must see Mr Sheth.”
“Many people want to see Mr Sheth ,” the tall man told me. “He is a very busy man and a very important man. Mr Sheth is not here at the moment. But give me your letter, and Mr Sheth will read it later.”
I gave the tall man the letter. Then I waited. Later, a large black car came and a men went into the house. A long time later, the tall man opened the door again.
“Come in now, please, and follow me,” he said.
I followed the tall man. We went into a large room with fine carpets and big chairs. Another man was in the room. He was drinking.
“This is Mr Sheth,” said the tall man. “I am Adam of Minta village,” I replied.
“Yes, I know,” said Mr Sheth. “Thank you for the letter. I hope I can help you. I like to help people. Please, sit down.” Mr Sheth smiled. His clothes were new and smart.
“Thank you, “ I said.
“Can I see the money order, please?” Mr Sheth asked.
I took the money order out of my pocket.
By now, the money order was dirty and looked very old. I gave it to Mr Sheth.
“This money order is for one hundred pounds,” I said.” My son sent it from a foreign country.”
Mr Sheth unfolded the money order and looked at it. “You can’t change this money order,” he said. “This money order is not worth one hundred pounds. This money is worth nothing
“Worth nothing! Worthless?“ I asked.
Then Mr Sheth looked at the money order again. “Yes, worthless. Your son does not understand about money orders. This money order is not correct for our country,”
Mr Sheth said. Then he looked at the money order again and said, “And this money order is also old. It is out-of-date.”.
I said nothing. Mr Sheth gave me the money order back. Then Mr Sheth smiled and said, I am very sorry. You are an old man. You came a long way from your village. What can I give you to eat and drink?”
I was not hungry. But Mr Sheth went out of the room. Then he brought me some coffee and some cakes. I drank my coffee.
“Old man,” said Mr Sheth, “ I like to help people. I am a rich man. Give me your money order.”
I gave my money order to Mr Sheth. “Yes, this money order is worthless,” he said again.
“But I am going to help you. I am going to change this money order for you. I am going to give you some money.”
Mr Sheth went out of the room. I felt very happy again. After a few minutes, the tall man came into the room. He gave me an envelope. “This is from Mr Sheth. You can go now,” the tall man said.
I went out of the house. I walked along the road to the bus station. I opened the envelope and I took out my money.
I counted the money. It was ten pounds. I thought about my only son, Saul.
My son, Saul, had sent me a money order for one hundred pounds. Mr Sheth had given me ten pounds. I felt old and I felt poor again.
— THE END –
Source: vocab.today
Short story in English Free Download – Rich Man, Poor Man book PDF
Short story in English
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- themanual.com – short story in english
It’s been argued by many writers that penning a good short story is much harder than writing an entire novel. With the latter, there’s plenty of space to unpack character, theme, and plot. With a short story, however, every word counts. The best short stories speak volumes within a few slim pages.CONTENTS
- The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe
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To that end, there are a smattering of short stories that stand out from the crowd. Admittedly, it is difficult to call them the best short stories because quality is subjective. But rest assured that those you’ll find recommended here are almost universally considered some of the most important little works of literature ever thanks to some combination of their revolutionary style, timeless storytelling, or influence on nearly all writers to follow.
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Short story in english Best Short Stories and Collections Everyone Should Read
short story in english If you are on the lookout for great storytelling but don’t want to commit to a full-length novel, then short story collections are the answer. Whether it’s just before bed, during your commute, or waiting to see your doctor, small chunks of time are perfect for reading short stories.
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Free Short Stories to Read Right Now
These individual short stories are the best of the best — and the even better news is that they’re available for free online for you to peruse. From classics published in the 1900s to a short story that exploded in late 2017, here are ten of the greatest free short stories for you to read.
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1. “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl-short story in english
While not exactly a philosophical or political tale like our first two examples, this twisty short story from Dahl does delve into some shady moral territory. We are introduced to Mary Maloney: a loving wife and dedicated homemaker. In just a few short paragraphs describing how she welcomes her husband home, Dahl makes us sympathize with Mary — before a rash act turns her life upside down and takes the reader with her on a dark journey.
short story in english For those who haven’t read it, we won’t spoil the rest. However, it’s safe to say that Dahl serves up a fiendish twist on a platter.
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2. “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
A perennial feature in many a high school syllabus, Shirley Jackson’s best-known short story clinically details an unusual ritual that takes place in a small town. There’s not exactly a lot of plot to spoil in The Lottery — but within a few short pages, Jackson manages to represent the mob mentality that can drive reasonable people to short story in english commit heinous acts.
3. “How to Become a Writer” by Lorrie Moore
Told in the second person point of view, this story from Moore’s debut anthology Self-Help takes an honest look at the inner life of a struggling artist. Through the use of an unusual POV, the author manages to turn her reader into a confidante — making short story in english it abundantly clear that the ‘you’ the narrator is speaking about is actually herself.
This story is a standout, but the entire collection is well worth a read for its insight, humor, and disregard for literary norms.
4. “Cat Person” by Kristen Roupenian
In the Social Media Age, no short story has gone viral the way this New Yorker contribution from Roupenian has. Arriving at the height of #MeToo, it begins with 20-year-old Margot embarking on the early stages of flirtation with an older man, Robert. As she gets to know more about this man (as well as filling in the gaps with her short story in english imagination), the power dynamic in their relationship starts to fluctuate.
Lauded for its portrayal of Margot’s inner life and the fears many modern women face when it comes to dating, it also has its fair share of detractors — many are critical of the central character, some are downright outraged by the story’s success. Still, this story undeniably struck a chord with the reading public, and will likely short story in english remain relevant for some time.
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5. “Cathedral” by Raymond Carver
First published in The Atlantic Monthly in 1981, “Cathedral” is today known as one of Raymond Carver’s finest works. When it opens, we meet a narrator whose wife is expecting a visit from an old friend, a blind man. Dissatisfied and distrusting of people not like him, our narrator struggles to connect until the blind man asks him to describe a cathedral to him.
“Cathedral” is one of Carver’s own personal favorites, and deservedly so. His characteristic minimalist style is devastating as the story builds up to a shattering moment of emotional truth — short story in english an ultimate reminder that no-one else can capture the quiet sadness of working-class people like him.
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6. “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor
Innocuously titled, “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” is nevertheless Flannery O’Connor’s bleakest — and most famous — work. It begins unassumingly with a Southern family who’s planning to go on a road trip. Yet the journey is rudely interrupted when their short story in english car overturns on an abandoned dirt road — and they are met by an enigmatic group of three men, coming up over the far hill.
This short story inspired some strong reactions from the public upon publication — and the conversation continues today as to its frank depiction of the nature of good and evil. Again, we won’t spoil anything for you, except to say that “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” is well worth your time.
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7. “Symbols and Signs” by Vladimir Nabokov
The famous author of Lolita wrote “Signs and Symbols” in 1948. Its premise is seemingly simple: an elderly short story in english couple visits their mentally ill son in the sanatorium in America. Yet their background and trials come into sharp focus as the story develops, until an explosive ending disrupts everyone’s peace of mind.
As you might expect, the somber “Symbols and Signs” diverges sharply from Lolita in terms of both tone and subject — but its ending will keep you awake at night thinking about its implications.
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8. “Sticks” by George Saunders
Not so much a short story as it is flash fiction, “Sticks” is written from the perspective of a young man whose father has an unusual habit: dressing up a crucifix that’s built of out a metal pole in the yard. One of America’s greatest living short story writers, George short story in english Saunders explained: “For two years I’d been driving past a house like the one in the story, imagining the owner as a man more joyful and self-possessed and less self-conscious than myself. Then one day I got sick of him and invented his opposite, and there was the story.”
The result is a masterful piece of fiction that builds something out of seemingly nothing — all in the space of only two paragraphs.
BEST Short story in english
9. “The Veldt” by Ray Bradbury
If there’s anyone who you can trust to deliver thought-provoking, terrifying science fiction on the regular, it’s Ray Bradbury. In “The Veldt,” George and Lydia Hadley have bought an automated house that comes with a “nursey,” or a virtual reality room. Worried about the nursery’s effect on the kids, George and Lydia think about turning off the nursey — but the problem is that their children are obsessed with it.
As an ominously prescient short story in english prediction of the downside of technology, “The Veldt” is a short and shining example of how Ray Bradbury was an author before his time.
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10. “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes
In this classic short story, we are privy to the journals of Charlie Gordon, a cleaner with an IQ of 68. (“I reely wantd to lern I wantid it more even then pepul who are smarter even then me. All my life I wantid to be smart and not dumb.”) Charlie’s luck changes when he is selected for an experiment that purports to turn him into a genius — but everything that goes up must come down in the end.
“Flowers for Algernon” won the Hugo Award in short story in english 1960 for its groundbreaking presentation. Heartbreaking and rich with subtle poignance, it is likely to remain a staple for centuries to come.
3. wealthygorilla.com– short story in english
Stories that have morals and messages behind them are always powerful. In fact, it’s crazy just how powerful a 200 word story can be.
Our last article of short stories became so popular, that we decided to create another list, in which every story has a simple moral behind it.
4. theguardian.com– short story in english
John McGahern and Annie Proulx are among my favourite authors, but to dispel gloom I choose this story from Jane Gardam’s 1980 collection The Sidmouth Letters. Reading this gleeful story in my expatriate days, I recognised the cast of “diplomatic wives”, trailing inebriate husbands through the ruins of empire. Mostly dialogue, it is a deft, witty tale in which a small kindness – though not by a diplomatic wife – pays off 40 years later. I must have read it a dozen times, to see how its note is sustained and the surprise is sprung; every time it makes me smile with delight. Hilary Mantel
“The Stone Boy” by Gina Berriault (1957)
This great and underrated masterpiece is a meditation on good and evil and especially about the way that people’s expectations and assumptions about us may wear us down and eventually force us into compliance with their view. But it is a much deeper and more biblical story than that and, like any great work of art, resists reduction. Berriault, who died in 1999, is known as a San Francisco writer. A wonderful sampling of her stories is available in Women in Their Beds: New & Selected Stories. George Saunders
“The Love of a Good Woman” by Alice Munro (1998)
Among the handful of short stories closest to my heart, I’ve chosen “The Love of a Good Woman” by Canadian writer Munro, from her 1998 collection of that name. It’s about a murder – probably it’s a murder, because nothing is certain – and a love match that depends on keeping that murder secret. Like so many of Munro’s stories, this one has the scope of a novel yet never feels hurried or crowded. The sociology of a small town in rural Ontario is caught on the wing in the loose weave of her narration; the story takes in whole lifetimes, and yet its pace is also exquisitely slow, carrying us deep inside particular moments. A woman moves among the willows beside a river at night, making up her mind. Tessa Hadley
5. owlcation.com-short story in english
Howard is an avid short story reader who likes to help others find and understand stories.
Here is a selection of some of the best, most anthologized short stories ever. No doubt you’ll find many familiar titles here, but I hope you also discover something new.
These narratives are sterling examples of the short story form. They have endured, bringing enjoyment to readers for many years.
Most of them are part of the literary canon. You’ll have no trouble finding explanatory notes and analysis for these titles if you want to go deeper. But if that’s not for you, don’t let it put you off reading these stories. They can be enjoyed on their own.
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
Della, a young married woman, has managed to save a dollar and eighty-seven cents. It’s Christmas tomorrow; she wants to get her husband a nice present. She’s distraught, knowing that she’s well short of the amount she needs. Before going out, she looks at her long, beautiful hair in the mirror.
This story can be read in the preview of The Gift of the Magi and Other Stories. (37% into preview)
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
A small village is preparing for its annual summer tradition—a lottery. It’s a very important event, done to ensure a good harvest. The children gather excitedly, followed by the adults. When everyone is present, the village’s civic leader, Mr. Summers, gets things started.
This story can be read in the preview of Brave New Worlds: Dystopian Stories. (10% in)
The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe
A man claims that a disease had sharpened his senses and that he isn’t mad. He was seized with a desire to kill an old man. The man hadn’t wronged him in any way, nor was material gain his motive. It was the old man’s eye—pale blue with a film over it—that drove him to act.
Read The Tell-Tale Heart
The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
A woman going through some difficulties is confined to a room in a colonial mansion. Both her husband and brother are physicians, and they agree on the diagnosis—nervous depression and a slight hysterical tendency. She’s to have no excitement and do no work until she’s better. She disagrees, but all she can do is a little secret writing.