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This is a funny story by O. Henry. It is about two men who want to get easy money. They have a plan. They want to kidnap a rich man’s boy and ask for money. But the plan does not work.
The boy is not scared. He is happy to be away from home. He thinks it is a game. He gives the men new names. He plays with them like they are toys. He talks, jumps, laughs, and fights all the time.
The men get tired. They are afraid of the boy. Now, they want to send him back. But the boy does not want to go home!
This story shows that crime is not easy. Sometimes, the plan looks good, but the result is bad.
In this story, you learn English grammar and have fun at the same time.
This story is based on the public-domain work “The Ransom of Red Chief” by O. Henry. This adapted and simplified version was rewritten by LearnEnglish-new.com for English learners.
The Ransom of Red Chief
By O. Henry
Contents
Chapter One: A Bad Idea Begins
Chapter Two: A Big Problem Begins
Chapter Three: A Strange Morning
Chapter Five: The Boy Comes Back
Chapter Six: A Letter from Summit
Chapter One
A Bad Idea Begins
My name is Sam. I work with my friend Bill. One day, we have a crazy idea. We want to kidnap a child and ask for money. We think it is a good plan. We hope to get two thousand dollars. We believe the plan is easy.
We go to a small town in Alabama. The town is called Summit. It looks quiet and peaceful. We choose a boy to kidnap. His name is Johnny Dorset. He is the son of a rich man, Mr. Ebenezer Dorset. We think his father will pay the money quickly.
Bill says, “It is a perfect plan!”
But soon, we find out that we are wrong.
One evening, we see Johnny on the street. He throws rocks at a kitten. Bill says, “Hey, little boy! Do you want some candy and a ride?”
Johnny does not answer. Instead, he throws a brick and hits Bill in the eye.
“Ouch!” says Bill. “This boy is trouble.”
Still, we take Johnny to a cave in the mountains. We think it is a safe place to hide. Bill and I stay with the boy.
Johnny does not cry. He does not look scared. He is happy. He laughs and plays. He calls himself “Red Chief” and pretends to be an Indian. He says I am “Snake-eye, the Spy” and Bill is “Old Hank, the Trapper.”
He says, “I will scalp Old Hank at sunrise!”
Bill starts to worry.
Chapter 1 – Vocabulary
1. Kidnap — to take a person away by force and keep them somewhere.
Example: We want to kidnap a child and ask for money.
2. Plan — an idea about what you are going to do.
Example: We think it is a good plan.
3. Rich — having a lot of money.
Example: He is the son of a rich man, Mr. Ebenezer Dorset.
4. Choose — to decide which person or thing you want.
Example: We choose a boy to kidnap.
5. Quiet — with very little noise.
Example: The town looks quiet and peaceful.
6. Scared — feeling afraid.
Example: Johnny does not look scared.
7. Trouble — a difficult or dangerous problem.
Example: This boy is trouble.
8. Pretend — to act as if something is true when it is not.
Example: He laughs and plays. He calls himself “Red Chief” and pretends to be an Indian.
Chapter 1 – Comprehension Questions
1. What is Sam’s job?
2. Who works with Sam?
3. What do Sam and Bill want to do?
4. How much money do they hope to get?
5. Where do Sam and Bill go?
6. What is the name of the boy they choose?
7. What does Johnny throw at Bill?
8. Why does Bill start to worry about Johnny?
Chapter 1 – Grammar Exercises
1. Sam and Bill ___ friends.
A) is
B) are
C) am
2. They ___ a crazy idea.
A) have
B) has
C) having
3. Sam and Bill ___ to kidnap a child.
A) wants
B) want
C) wanting
4. They ___ to a small town in Alabama.
A) go
B) goes
C) going
5. Johnny ___ the son of a rich man.
A) are
B) am
C) is
6. Johnny ___ not scared.
A) do
B) does
C) is
7. He ___ rocks at a kitten.
A) throw
B) throws
C) throwing
8. Johnny ___ himself “Red Chief.”
A) call
B) calls
C) calling
Answer Key:
1-B, 2-A, 3-B, 4-A, 5-C, 6-C, 7-B, 8-B
Chapter Two
A Big Problem Begins
Johnny loves camping in the cave. He talks a lot. He runs and jumps and screams. He never sleeps. Bill and I cannot rest.
Bill says, “This boy is wild! He is not afraid. He hurts me!”
I say, “Let’s wait. Maybe the father will pay the ransom soon.”
At night, Johnny sleeps between us. But he kicks Bill all the time. He even tries to cut Bill’s hair with a knife while he sleeps!
Bill wakes up and screams. “Sam! This kid is crazy. I can’t take it anymore.”
Next day, we write a letter to Mr. Dorset. We ask for $1500 instead of $2000. Bill says, “I will pay the $500 difference. Just get him off my back!”
Johnny runs around the cave and plays more games. He says, “I want to be the Black Scout now! I need a horse!”
Bill says, “You can ride me.” He gets down on his hands and knees. Johnny jumps on his back and kicks him.
Bill says, “Sam, please! Send that letter fast!”
Chapter 2 – Vocabulary
1. Wild — not calm; very active and difficult to control.
Example: This boy is wild! He is not afraid.
2. Afraid — feeling fear.
Example: He is not afraid.
3. Hurt — to cause pain to someone.
Example: He hurts me!
4. Rest — to relax and stop working for a while.
Example: Bill and I cannot rest.
5. Sleep — to rest with your eyes closed.
Example: At night, Johnny sleeps between us.
6. Knife — a sharp tool used for cutting.
Example: He even tries to cut Bill’s hair with a knife while he sleeps!
7. Difference — the amount between two numbers.
Example: I will pay the $500 difference.
8. Ride — to sit on and travel on an animal or vehicle.
Example: I need a horse!
Chapter 2 – Comprehension Questions
1. Where does Johnny like to play?
2. How much does Johnny talk?
3. Why can Bill and Sam not rest?
4. Is Johnny afraid of the two men?
5. What does Johnny try to cut while Bill is sleeping?
6. How much money do the men ask for in their letter?
7. What does Johnny want to be after playing in the cave?
8. Who does Johnny ride like a horse?
Chapter 2 – Grammar Exercises
1. Johnny ___ camping in the cave.
A) love
B) loves
C) loving
2. Bill and Sam ___ rest.
A) cannot
B) can’t to
C) doesn’t
3. Johnny ___ between the two men at night.
A) sleep
B) sleeps
C) sleeping
4. Johnny tries to ___ Bill’s hair.
A) cut
B) cuts
C) cutting
5. Bill ___ take it anymore.
A) can’t
B) don’t
C) isn’t
6. The men ___ a letter to Mr. Dorset.
A) write
B) writes
C) writing
7. Johnny ___ on Bill’s back.
A) jump
B) jumps
C) jumping
8. Bill asks Sam to ___ the letter fast.
A) send
B) sends
C) sending
Answer Key:
1-B, 2-A, 3-B, 4-A, 5-A, 6-A, 7-B, 8-A
Chapter Three
A Strange Morning
In the morning, I get up early. I sit by a rock and smoke my pipe. Bill does not sleep well. He looks tired.
Bill says, “Why do you get up so early?”
I say, “I have a pain in my shoulder. I think I need to stretch it.”
Bill says, “You’re scared. You know Red Chief wants to burn you at sunrise.”
I laugh, but maybe Bill is right. That kid is not normal. He plays rough, and he always shouts.
Bill tries to rest. But Red Chief puts a hot potato down his back! Then he kicks Bill again. Bill cries and shakes.
Later, we write a ransom letter to Mr. Dorset. We say:
“We have your boy. If you want him back, pay us $1500. Put the money under a tree near Owl Creek. Answer us by tonight.”
We sign the letter, “Two Desperate Men.”
I go to the town to send the letter. While I am gone, Bill takes care of Red Chief. When I come back, Bill looks very tired. He is sweating. The boy rides on his back and hits him with a stick.
Bill says, “Sam, please. Just give him back. We do not need the money.”
We wait for a reply. In the evening, a boy on a bicycle brings a note from Mr. Dorset. It says:
“Take Johnny home. I will not pay you. But if you bring him back tonight, I will pay YOU $250. That is my offer.”
Bill reads the note. His face turns red. He says, “Let’s take the offer. One more night with this kid, and I go crazy!”
I agree. “Yes, we take him back tonight.”
Chapter 3 – Vocabulary
1. Shoulder — the part of your body between your neck and arm.
Example: I have a pain in my shoulder.
2. Stretch — to move your body or arms to make them less stiff.
Example: I think I need to stretch it.
3. Scared — feeling afraid.
Example: You’re scared.
4. Sunrise — the time when the sun comes up in the morning.
Example: You know Red Chief wants to burn you at sunrise.
5. Hot — having a high temperature.
Example: Red Chief puts a hot potato down his back!
6. Sweating — having drops of water on your skin because you are hot or tired.
Example: When I come back, Bill looks very tired. He is sweating.
7. Reply — an answer to a letter or message.
Example: We wait for a reply.
8. Offer — something that someone says they will give or do.
Example: That is my offer.
Chapter 3 – Comprehension Questions
1. What does Sam do in the morning?
2. Why does Sam say he gets up early?
3. Why does Bill think Sam is scared?
4. What does Red Chief put on Bill’s back?
5. How does Bill feel after Red Chief hurts him?
6. How much money do Sam and Bill ask for?
7. Where do they tell Mr. Dorset to put the money?
8. How much money does Mr. Dorset offer Sam and Bill to take Johnny home?
Chapter 3 – Grammar Exercises
1. Sam ___ up early in the morning.
A) get
B) gets
C) getting
2. Bill ___ not sleep well.
A) do
B) does
C) is
3. Sam ___ by a rock and smokes his pipe.
A) sit
B) sits
C) sitting
4. Bill looks ___ after a difficult night.
A) tired
B) tiring
C) tire
5. Red Chief ___ a hot potato on Bill’s back.
A) put
B) puts
C) putting
6. Sam and Bill ___ a letter to Mr. Dorset.
A) write
B) writes
C) writing
7. They ___ for a reply in the evening.
A) wait
B) waits
C) waiting
8. Mr. Dorset ___ them $250 to take Johnny home.
A) offer
B) offers
C) offering
Answer Key:
1-B, 2-C, 3-B, 4-A, 5-B, 6-A, 7-A, 8-B
Chapter Four
The Escape Plan
We tell Johnny that we will go home. He does not want to go. He says, “I want to hunt bears tomorrow! I want to be a cowboy!”
We say, “No. Your father wants you at home.”
That night, we go to Mr. Dorset’s house. We knock on the door. Mr. Dorset opens it. He looks calm.
“Where is the money?” Bill asks.
Mr. Dorset hands him $250 and takes Johnny inside.
Johnny does not want to leave Bill. He cries and holds Bill’s leg. His father pulls him away.
Johnny says, “I want to stay with Old Hank! I don’t want to go home!”
Bill runs away fast.
I say, “Wow, I have never seen a man run that fast!”
We run far from Summit. We do not look back.
Bill says, “Sam, this is the last time I ever kidnap anyone!”
I say, “You are right. Crime does not pay.”
And that is the story of how we lost money and nearly lost our minds because of one little boy — Red Chief.
After we give Johnny to his father, we feel so happy and free. But the happiness does not last long. The next day, Johnny runs away from home and tries to find us!
He thinks we are his friends. He wants to go back to the cave and play more games. Mr. Dorset calls the sheriff, but he does not find Johnny.
We hide in a small hotel in a nearby town. Bill checks the window every hour. He thinks the boy will come any moment.
Bill says, “Sam, if that boy finds me again, I jump in the river!”
Chapter 4 – Vocabulary
1. Escape — to get away from a place or person.
Example: The Escape Plan
2. Leave — to go away from a place.
Example: We tell Johnny that we will go home.
3. Pull — to move someone or something toward you.
Example: His father pulls him away.
4. Hold — to keep someone or something in your hands or arms.
Example: He cries and holds Bill’s leg.
5. Fast — moving quickly.
Example: Bill runs away fast.
6. Crime — an illegal action or activity.
Example: Crime does not pay.
7. Nearby — not far away.
Example: We hide in a small hotel in a nearby town.
8. Find — to discover or meet someone or something.
Example: He wants to find us!
Chapter 4 – Comprehension Questions
1. Why do Sam and Bill want to take Johnny home?
2. Does Johnny want to go home?
3. What does Johnny want to do the next day?
4. Where do Sam and Bill take Johnny?
5. How much money does Mr. Dorset give Bill?
6. Why does Johnny cry when he leaves Bill?
7. Why does Bill run away quickly?
8. Where do Sam and Bill hide after leaving Summit?
Chapter 4 – Grammar Exercises
1. Johnny ___ to go home.
A) don’t want
B) doesn’t want
C) not want
2. Sam and Bill ___ Johnny to Mr. Dorset’s house.
A) take
B) takes
C) taking
3. Mr. Dorset ___ the door.
A) open
B) opens
C) opening
4. Bill ___ Mr. Dorset about the money.
A) ask
B) asks
C) asking
5. Mr. Dorset ___ Bill $250.
A) give
B) gives
C) giving
6. Johnny ___ Bill’s leg.
A) hold
B) holds
C) holding
7. Bill ___ away very fast.
A) run
B) runs
C) running
8. Sam and Bill ___ in a small hotel.
A) hide
B) hides
C) hiding
Answer Key:
1-B, 2-A, 3-B, 4-B, 5-B, 6-B, 7-B, 8-A
Chapter Five
The Boy Comes Back
Bill and I decide to leave the state. We take the money Mr. Dorset gave us and go to the train station. We buy two tickets to Texas.
On the train, Bill looks nervous. He does not eat, he does not talk. He just looks out the window.
I say, “You are safe now, Bill. The boy is not here.”
Bill says, “That boy can find anyone. Maybe he is already in Texas!”
We both laugh, but a little voice in our minds says, “What if it’s true?”
In Texas, we try to start a new life. We find small jobs. Bill works as a cook. I sell hats in the market.
But Bill jumps every time he hears a child laugh. He does not like to see red-haired boys. He says, “Every boy looks like Red Chief to me now.”
I say, “Don’t worry. He is far away now.”
Bill says, “No, Sam. Red Chief is always in my mind.”
Chapter 5 – Vocabulary
1. Leave — to go away from a place.
Example: Bill and I decide to leave the state.
2. Nervous — worried or afraid about something.
Example: On the train, Bill looks nervous.
3. Safe — not in danger.
Example: You are safe now, Bill.
4. Already — before now or before a particular time.
Example: Maybe he is already in Texas!
5. Start — to begin doing something.
Example: In Texas, we try to start a new life.
6. Job — work that you do to earn money.
Example: We find small jobs.
7. Market — a place where people buy and sell things.
Example: I sell hats in the market.
8. Mind — the part of you that thinks and remembers.
Example: Red Chief is always in my mind.
Chapter 5 – Comprehension Questions
1. Where do Sam and Bill decide to go?
2. How many tickets do they buy?
3. How does Bill feel on the train?
4. What does Bill do on the train?
5. What jobs do Bill and Sam find in Texas?
6. Why does Bill jump when he hears a child laugh?
7. What kind of boys does Bill not like to see?
8. Why is Red Chief always in Bill’s mind?
Chapter 5 – Grammar Exercises
1. Bill and Sam ___ to Texas.
A) go
B) goes
C) going
2. They ___ two tickets at the train station.
A) buys
B) buy
C) buying
3. Bill ___ nervous on the train.
A) look
B) looks
C) looking
4. Bill ___ not eat on the train.
A) do
B) does
C) is
5. Sam ___ to Bill, “You are safe now.”
A) say
B) says
C) saying
6. Bill ___ as a cook in Texas.
A) work
B) works
C) working
7. Sam ___ hats in the market.
A) sell
B) sells
C) selling
8. Bill ___ when he hears a child laugh.
A) jump
B) jumps
C) jumping
Answer Key:
1-A, 2-B, 3-B, 4-B, 5-B, 6-B, 7-B, 8-B
Chapter Six
A Letter from Summit
One day, I get a letter. It is from Summit. The letter says:
“Dear Sam and Bill,
Johnny misses you very much. He talks about you every day. He wants to visit you in Texas.
Sincerely,
Mr. Dorset”
Bill reads the letter. He turns white. He says, “Sam, we move to Canada tomorrow!”
I say, “Yes. We do not tell anyone where we go.”
Now, years later, I tell people this story. I say, “Do not kidnap children. Especially red-haired boys with big ideas.”
Bill lives far away now. He does not talk much. But when people ask him about children, he only says one word: “No.”
And Red Chief? Well, maybe he still plays in the hills, waiting for new ‘friends.’
This story teaches a big lesson:
Crime looks easy, but it is never worth it.
— THE END –
Read the original story: americanliterature.com
Chapter 6 – Vocabulary
1. Letter — a written message that you send to someone.
Example: One day, I get a letter.
2. Miss — to feel sad because someone or something is not with you.
Example: Johnny misses you very much.
3. Visit — to go to a person or place for a short time.
Example: He wants to visit you in Texas.
4. Tomorrow — the day after today.
Example: We move to Canada tomorrow!
5. Far away — a long distance from a place.
Example: Bill lives far away now.
6. Ask — to say something when you want an answer.
Example: When people ask him about children, he only says one word: “No.”
7. Especially — more than usual or more than other things.
Example: Do not kidnap children. Especially red-haired boys with big ideas.
8. Wait — to stay in one place until someone or something comes.
Example: Maybe he still plays in the hills, waiting for new ‘friends.’
Chapter 6 – Comprehension Questions
1. Who sends Sam and Bill a letter?
2. What does Johnny say about Sam and Bill?
3. Where does Johnny want to visit them?
4. How does Bill feel when he reads the letter?
5. Where does Bill want to move?
6. Does Bill want to talk about children?
7. What does Bill say when people ask him about children?
8. What lesson does the story teach?
Chapter 6 – Grammar Exercises
1. Sam ___ a letter from Summit.
A) get
B) gets
C) getting
2. Johnny ___ Sam and Bill very much.
A) miss
B) misses
C) missing
3. He ___ to visit them in Texas.
A) want
B) wants
C) wanting
4. Bill ___ the letter.
A) read
B) reads
C) reading
5. Bill ___ white when he reads the letter.
A) turn
B) turns
C) turning
6. They ___ to Canada tomorrow.
A) move
B) moves
C) moving
7. Bill ___ far away now.
A) live
B) lives
C) living
8. People ___ him about children.
A) ask
B) asks
C) asking
Answer Key:
1-B, 2-B, 3-B, 4-B, 5-B, 6-A, 7-B, 8-A
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This story was so funny and clever, Red Chief totally turned the plan upside down. Loved how it showed crime is not easy, and the twist with the boy wanting to come back was just perfect. This is just amazing dear.