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English stories to read can be a great way to improve your English while enjoying an interesting story. In this B1-level retelling of The Mexican by Jack London, you will meet a young man named Felipe Rivera, whose quiet appearance hides a powerful secret.
Rivera is only eighteen years old, but he is not like other young men. He speaks very little, keeps his past to himself, and rarely shows his feelings. When he joins a group of Mexican revolutionaries, they do not know whether they can trust him. However, they soon discover that he is ready to work hard and take great risks for a cause he believes in.
As the story develops, Rivera’s mysterious past slowly becomes clearer. His life has been shaped by poverty, violence, loss, and a strong desire for freedom. When the Revolution needs money to buy guns, Rivera finds an unusual way to help.
His solution takes him into the boxing ring, where he must face Danny Ward, a famous and experienced fighter. For Danny, the fight is about money, reputation, and victory. For Rivera, it means something much more important.
Read the story to discover why this quiet young man is willing to suffer, fight, and risk everything for his country.
This story was rewritten by LearnEnglish-new.com for English learners. The story is in the public domain, so it is free from copyright. Enjoy reading and improve your English skills!
The Mexican
by Jack London
Contents
Chapter One: Felipe Rivera
Chapter Two: Rivera’s Secret
Chapter Three: The Challenge
Chapter Four: The Fight
Chapter Five: The Victory and the Truth
Chapter One
Felipe Rivera
Nobody in the Mexican revolutionary group knew where Felipe Rivera had come from.
He was only eighteen years old, but there was something about him that made people feel uncomfortable. He was thin and quiet, with dark hair and dark eyes. His clothes were old and worn, and he looked as if he had not eaten enough for a long time.
One morning, he walked into the small office of the revolutionary group in Los Angeles.
Several men were working at desks. Papers covered the tables, and a typewriter was making a steady clicking sound. These men were planning a revolution in Mexico. They wanted to fight against the government of Porfirio Díaz and help the Mexican people become free.
Rivera stood near the door.
“My name is Felipe Rivera,” he said. “I want to work for the Revolution.”
The men looked at him.
Nobody answered immediately.
Paulino Vera, one of the leaders, studied the young man carefully. Vera had met many revolutionaries before, but Rivera was different. Most young men who joined the group wanted to talk about their ideas. Rivera did not seem interested in talking at all.
His face was serious.
His eyes were cold.
“What can you do?” Vera finally asked.
“Anything.”
“Why do you want to help us?”
Rivera said nothing.
The silence made Vera even more suspicious.
At that time, the revolutionary group had good reason to be careful. Their enemies were everywhere. Some of their friends had been arrested in the United States. Others had been sent back to Mexico and killed. The government of Díaz wanted to stop the revolution before it could grow.
Perhaps this young man was a spy.
Vera looked at the other members of the group. They were thinking the same thing.
Finally, Vera pointed toward the dirty floor.
“If you really want to work for the Revolution,” he said, “you can start here. Clean the rooms. Wash the windows. Empty the stoves.”
Rivera looked at him.
“Is it for the Revolution?”
“Yes.”
“Then I will do it.”
He took off his coat and began to work.
From that day on, Rivera came regularly.
He swept the floors. He cleaned the windows. He carried coal and prepared the fires. He worked quietly while the others talked about Mexico and their plans.
He never complained.
He never asked for money.
One day, he asked a strange question.
“Can I sleep here?”
The men immediately became suspicious again.
Why did he want to sleep in their office?
Did he want to discover their secrets?
Vera refused.
“No. You cannot sleep here.”
Rivera simply nodded.
He never asked again.
Nobody knew where he slept.
Nobody knew where he ate.
Nobody knew where he went when he left the office.
Sometimes he disappeared for several days. Sometimes he was gone for weeks. Then he would suddenly return.
And almost every time, he brought money.
Once, the revolutionary group was in serious trouble. They had not paid the rent for two months, and the landlord was threatening to throw them out.
The members had almost no money.
Then Rivera quietly placed sixty dollars in gold on the desk.
The room became silent.
“Where did you get this?” Vera asked.
Rivera looked at him.
“I am working for the Revolution.”
That was all he said.
Another time, the group had hundreds of letters ready to send. They wanted to ask other people and organizations for help, but they had no money for stamps.
The members had already sold or lost almost everything they could.
Then Rivera left the office.
Later, he returned with enough stamps for all the letters.
Again, nobody knew where the money had come from.
“Perhaps it is Díaz’s money,” one of the men whispered.
Nobody knew.
But Rivera continued to work.
The members slowly began to understand that he was not a spy. Still, they did not understand him.
He rarely smiled.
He never talked about his family.
He never talked about his past.
When the others discussed the Revolution, Rivera usually stood nearby and listened.
His eyes moved from one speaker to another.
He seemed to be listening to every word.
May Sethby, who helped the group with its work, once looked at him for a long time.
“There is something very sad about him,” she said.
“He looks as if he has suffered too much.”
Vera nodded.
“He is only a boy,” he said. “But he looks as if he has already lived through many terrible things.”
“He frightens me sometimes,” May said.
Vera did not disagree.
“I am not afraid of Díaz,” he said quietly. “But there is something about Rivera that I cannot explain.”
Rivera continued to work.
Then strange things began to happen.
Sometimes he returned with a cut on his lip.
Sometimes one of his eyes was swollen.
Sometimes his hands were badly hurt.
The revolutionary group wondered what he was doing when he disappeared.
One evening, Ramos asked Vera about it.
“Where does that boy go?”
“I don’t know.”
“And where does he get his money?”
“I don’t know that either.”
“We should find out.”
Vera looked toward Rivera.
The young man was sitting alone in the corner.
“No,” Vera said. “Let him keep his secrets.”
“Why?”
“Because I believe he is on our side.”
Rivera suddenly looked up.
For a moment, his eyes met Vera’s.
Then he looked away.
Nobody spoke.
There was still a mystery around the young Mexican.
But the members of the group were beginning to understand one thing:
Whatever Felipe Rivera was doing outside their office, he was doing it for the Revolution.
And one day, they would discover why.
Chapter 1 – Vocabulary
1. Mysterious /mɪˈstɪəriəs/ — difficult to understand or explain
Example: Felipe Rivera was a mysterious young man.
2. Quiet /ˈkwaɪət/ — making very little noise; not talking much
Example: Rivera was quiet and rarely spoke about himself.
3. Revolutionary /ˌrevəˈluːʃənəri/ — a person who fights for a major political change
Example: Rivera wanted to help the revolutionary movement in Mexico.
4. Suspicious /səˈspɪʃəs/ — feeling that someone may be dishonest or dangerous
Example: Some of the revolutionaries were suspicious of the young Mexican.
5. Determined /dɪˈtɜːrmɪnd/ — having a strong decision to do something
Example: Rivera was determined to do something for the Revolution.
6. Stranger /ˈstreɪndʒər/ — someone you do not know
Example: To many people, Rivera was still a quiet stranger.
7. Appearance /əˈpɪərəns/ — the way someone looks
Example: His serious appearance made people wonder about him.
8. Revolution /ˌrevəˈluːʃən/ — a great change in a country’s political system, often made by force
Example: Rivera had come to Los Angeles because he wanted to work for the Revolution.
Chapter 1 – Comprehension Questions
- Who is Felipe Rivera, and how old is he?
- What was unusual about Rivera’s personality and behavior?
- Why did the revolutionaries in Los Angeles feel suspicious of Rivera?
- What did Rivera say when he asked to work for the Revolution?
- How did Rivera behave when he was given simple work to do?
- Why did Rivera refuse to take money from the revolutionaries?
- What did Rivera’s actions make the revolutionaries wonder about him?
- Why was Rivera’s quiet and mysterious behavior important to the story?
Chapter 1 – Grammar Exercises
1. Felipe Rivera _______ in Los Angeles as a young man.
A) arrive
B) arrived
C) arriving
2. Rivera _______ very little about his past.
A) said
B) was saying
C) say
3. While the revolutionaries _______ him, Rivera worked quietly.
A) watched
B) were watching
C) watch
4. Rivera _______ to take money from the revolutionaries.
A) refuse
B) refusing
C) refused
5. When the men first met Rivera, he _______ very quiet.
A) was
B) were
C) be
6. The revolutionaries were suspicious because they _______ much about Rivera.
A) did not know
B) were not knowing
C) do not knew
7. Rivera was a young man _______ wanted to help the Revolution.
A) which
B) who
C) where
8. Although Rivera was young, he _______ serious and determined.
A) seemed
B) seem
C) was seeming
Answer Key:
1-B, 2-A, 3-B, 4-C, 5-A, 6-A, 7-B, 8-A
Chapter Two
Rivera’s Secret
The members of the revolutionary group slowly learned that Felipe Rivera was more useful than they had first believed.
He could work with the printing machine. He could carry messages. He could travel without attracting much attention.
Most importantly, he was not afraid.
The revolutionaries needed people who could secretly carry information between the United States and Mexico. This was dangerous work. If a messenger was caught, he could be arrested or killed.
One day, the communication between Los Angeles and the revolutionaries in northern Mexico stopped.
The group became worried.
Several people who had been helping them had been arrested. Others had been killed.
The situation became especially dangerous because a government commander named Juan Alvarado was stopping their plans.
“We need someone to go south,” Vera said.
Everyone became silent.
It was a dangerous mission.
Then Vera looked at Rivera.
“Will you go?”
Rivera nodded.
“Yes.”
“You understand the danger?”
“Yes.”
“You may be arrested.”
Rivera looked at him.
“I know.”
He left soon afterward.
Nobody knew exactly what happened during his journey.
But when Rivera returned, the communication line was working again.
There was another piece of news.
Juan Alvarado was dead.
The men looked at Rivera.
“How did it happen?” Ramos asked.
Rivera did not answer.
Nobody asked again.
They understood enough.
Rivera was not simply a young man who wanted to help.
He was willing to risk his life.
But why?
What had made him like this?
The answer was connected to his past.
Long before he came to Los Angeles, Rivera had lived in Mexico with his parents.
His family name had been Fernández.
His father, Joaquin Fernández, was a kind and strong man. He worked with other people who wanted better lives for Mexican workers.
Rivera remembered his father talking quietly with workers.
He remembered his mother cooking in their small home.
He remembered a time when life was poor but peaceful.
Then everything changed.
At Rio Blanco, thousands of workers were suffering.
They worked long hours for very little money. Many were hungry. Some became sick because of dangerous working conditions.
Rivera’s father supported the workers.
Then came the conflict.
The workers were attacked by soldiers.
Rifles fired into the crowd.
People fell.
The streets became places of fear and death.
Rivera was still a young boy.
But he saw things that no child should have to see.
He saw his parents among the dead.
He survived.
After that, the boy named Juan Fernández disappeared.
He became Felipe Rivera.
He traveled through Mexico and across the border.
He was hungry.
He worked when he could.
Sometimes he had no food.
Sometimes he had nowhere to sleep.
He learned that life could be cruel.
He also learned that he could survive.
His anger became stronger every year.
But his anger had a direction.
He wanted freedom for Mexico.
That was why he joined the revolutionary group.
That was why he needed money.
And that was why he was willing to do almost anything.
Still, he did not tell the others his story.
He did not want their sympathy.
He did not want their praise.
He wanted only one thing: enough money to help the Revolution.
One day, the revolutionary group faced its greatest problem.
They had men ready to fight.
They had people waiting near the Mexican border.
They had plans.
But they did not have enough guns.
Without guns, their plans would fail.
“We have come so far,” Vera said sadly. “And now we cannot continue.”
The room became quiet.
Rivera was cleaning the floor.
He stopped.
“How much money do you need?” he asked.
Vera looked at him.
“Thousands of dollars.”
“How many?”
“About five thousand.”
Rivera thought for a moment.
“Will five thousand be enough?”
“Yes.”
Rivera nodded.
“I will bring it.”
Vera stared at him.
“In three weeks,” Rivera added.
“You cannot be serious.”
“I am serious.”
“How will you get that much money?”
Rivera put on his coat.
“I have a way.”
“What way?”
Rivera looked at him.
“You will know in three weeks.”
Then he walked out.
For the first time, Vera understood that the strange young man had been preparing for something much bigger than anyone had imagined.
Chapter 2 – Vocabulary
1. Revolution /ˌrevəˈluːʃən/ — a major change in a country’s political system, often made by force
Example: Rivera wanted to help the Revolution in Mexico.
2. Freedom /ˈfriːdəm/ — the right to live and act without unfair control
Example: Rivera was ready to fight for the freedom of his country.
3. Secret /ˈsiːkrət/ — something that is known by only a few people
Example: Rivera kept his real purpose a secret.
4. Violence /ˈvaɪələns/ — actions that hurt or kill people
Example: Rivera had seen terrible violence in Mexico.
5. Worker /ˈwɜːrkər/ — a person who works, especially for a company or organization
Example: Rivera remembered the workers who had suffered in Mexico.
6. Revenge /rɪˈvendʒ/ — action taken to hurt someone because they have hurt you
Example: Rivera wanted justice, not personal revenge.
7. Determination /dɪˌtɜːrmɪˈneɪʃən/ — the strong feeling that you must continue doing something
Example: His determination to help the Revolution was stronger than his fear.
8. Suffer /ˈsʌfər/ — to experience pain, difficulty, or something unpleasant
Example: Rivera had seen his people suffer under a cruel government.
Chapter 2 – Comprehension Questions
- Why did Rivera want to help the Revolution in Mexico?
- What had happened to Rivera’s parents and other workers in Mexico?
- How did Rivera’s past change the way he felt about the government?
- Why did Rivera keep his personal story secret from the other revolutionaries?
- How did Rivera help the revolutionary movement even though he was still very young?
- Why did the revolutionaries begin to trust Rivera despite his mysterious behavior?
- What was the main goal that Rivera wanted to achieve for his country?
- How did Rivera’s experiences with violence and suffering influence his determination to fight for freedom?
Chapter 2 – Grammar Exercises
1. Rivera _______ his parents when he was still a young boy.
A) lost
B) loses
C) was losing
2. While Rivera _______ about his past, he became angry and determined.
A) thought
B) was thinking
C) thinks
3. Rivera had seen terrible violence before he _______ to fight for the Revolution.
A) decided
B) had decided
C) deciding
4. Rivera kept his past secret because he _______ trust everyone around him.
A) could not
B) cannot
C) was not can
5. The young man _______ help the Revolution even though he was very poor.
A) wanted to
B) was wanting to
C) wants
6. The workers _______ suffered under the cruel government.
A) had
B) have
C) were
7. Rivera was a man _______ wanted to fight for freedom.
A) which
B) who
C) where
8. If Rivera had given up, he _______ have been able to help the Revolution.
A) would not
B) will not
C) does not
Answer Key:
1-A, 2-B, 3-A, 4-A, 5-A, 6-A, 7-B, 8-A
Chapter Three
The Challenge
Rivera’s plan took him to the world of professional boxing. He did not like boxing. For him, it was not a sport. It was a way to earn money.
Years earlier, when he had been hungry, he had found work in a training gym. At first, he knew almost nothing about boxing.
A trainer named Roberts had seen something in him. Rivera was small and thin, but he was incredibly tough.
During his first training fight, another boxer hit him again and again. Rivera did not know how to defend himself.
He was badly hurt. But he refused to stop.
After the fight, he was given some food and a little money. The next day, he came back.
He wanted to fight again. Over time, Rivera learned. He learned how to move. He learned how to defend himself. He learned how to use both hands. He became a dangerous fighter.
Soon, he began winning small fights.
The money was useful. But now he needed much more. Five thousand dollars.
One evening, he went to see Michael Kelly, a fight promoter.
Kelly looked at him with little interest.
“You want to fight Danny Ward?”
Rivera nodded.
Danny Ward was one of the best fighters in the area.
He was older, stronger, and famous.
Kelly laughed.
“You?”
“I can beat him.”
Danny’s manager was also doubtful.
Roberts, however, knew Rivera better.
“Don’t laugh,” he said. “That boy can fight.”
Danny Ward soon arrived.
He was friendly and smiling.
He greeted everyone as if they were old friends.
Then he looked at Rivera.
“So this is my opponent?”
Rivera said nothing.
Danny laughed.
“He doesn’t talk?”
Rivera looked at him.
“I can beat you.”
Danny stopped smiling.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
The room became quiet.
Danny was used to people respecting him.
Rivera did not respect him at all.
Kelly explained the money.
The winner would receive the larger share.
But Rivera had another idea.
“Winner takes all,” he said.
Everyone stared at him.
Danny shook his head.
“You’re crazy.”
“If you are sure you can beat me, why are you afraid?”
Danny became angry.
“All right,” he said. “Winner takes all.”
The fight was arranged.
The date was three weeks away.
That gave Rivera enough time to prepare, but there was another problem.
The fight would be held in the morning, and the fighters would weigh in early.
Danny was heavier and stronger.
Rivera knew he was giving his opponent an advantage.
He accepted it anyway.
For Rivera, the money was not for himself.
It was for guns.
It was for the Revolution.
It was for Mexico.
As the fight drew closer, the pressure increased.
People expected Danny to win easily.
Nobody believed that a thin young Mexican could defeat him.
But Rivera did not care what people believed.
He trained.
He worked.
He disappeared for hours.
He kept his secret.
Then the day of the fight arrived.
The arena was crowded.
People had come to see Danny Ward.
They wanted an exciting fight.
Most of them had already decided who would win.
Danny entered the building with his trainers.
He was smiling.
The crowd cheered.
Rivera entered quietly.
Almost nobody applauded.
He sat in his corner and waited.
The crowd looked at Danny.
Nobody seemed interested in the Mexican boy.
Rivera did not care.
He had not come for applause.
He had come for the money.
And behind the money was something much more important.
Freedom.
The gong was about to sound.
Rivera looked across the ring.
Danny smiled.
Rivera’s eyes remained cold.
The fight was about to begin.
Chapter 3 – Vocabulary
1. Challenge /ˈtʃælɪndʒ/ — a difficult situation or task that tests your ability
Example: The boxing match was a serious challenge for Rivera.
2. Opponent /əˈpəʊnənt/ — a person who competes against you
Example: Rivera’s opponent was the famous boxer Danny Ward.
3. Prize /praɪz/ — something valuable given to the winner of a competition
Example: Rivera needed the prize money for the Revolution.
4. Match /mætʃ/ — a sports competition between two people or teams
Example: Rivera agreed to fight Danny Ward in a boxing match.
5. Winner /ˈwɪnər/ — the person who wins a competition
Example: Rivera wanted to be the winner because he needed the money.
6. Courage /ˈkʌrɪdʒ/ — the ability to face danger or difficulty without giving up
Example: Rivera showed great courage when he accepted the fight.
7. Risk /rɪsk/ — the possibility of danger or loss
Example: Rivera knew that the fight was a great risk.
8. Prepare /prɪˈpeər/ — to get ready for something
Example: Rivera had only a short time to prepare for the fight.
Chapter 3 – Comprehension Questions
- Why did Rivera agree to take part in the boxing match?
- Who was Rivera’s opponent, and why was he considered a dangerous fighter?
- What did Rivera need the prize money for?
- Why was winning the fight more important to Rivera than personal fame?
- How did Rivera react when he learned about the strength of his opponent?
- What did Rivera mean when he insisted that the winner should take all the money?
- Why did Rivera have to prepare carefully for the fight?
- What does Rivera’s decision to accept the challenge show about his character?
Chapter 3 – Grammar Exercises
1. Rivera _______ to fight Danny Ward because the Revolution needed money.
A) agreed
B) agrees
C) was agreeing
2. While Rivera _______ for the fight, he thought about the money he needed.
A) prepared
B) was preparing
C) prepares
3. Danny Ward was a boxer _______ had won many important fights.
A) which
B) who
C) where
4. Rivera knew that Danny was _______ than he was.
A) strong
B) stronger
C) strongest
5. Rivera _______ fight Danny if he wanted to earn the money for the Revolution.
A) had to
B) has to
C) must to
6. If Rivera _______ the fight, he would get the money for the Revolution.
A) won
B) wins
C) had won
7. Rivera accepted the challenge _______ the fight was very dangerous.
A) because
B) although
C) so
8. Before the fight began, Rivera _______ about the importance of winning.
A) had thought
B) thinks
C) was think
Answer Key:
1-A, 2-B, 3-B, 4-B, 5-A, 6-A, 7-B, 8-A
Chapter Four
The Fight
The crowd was ready. Danny Ward received a loud welcome. Rivera sat quietly in his corner. The difference between the two fighters was easy to see.
Danny looked strong and healthy.
Rivera looked young and thin.
Most people believed the fight would be easy for Danny.
The gong sounded.
Danny rushed forward.
He attacked immediately.
His fists moved quickly, one after another.
Rivera was pushed backward.
The crowd shouted with excitement.
For several minutes, Danny seemed unstoppable.
He hit Rivera again and again.
Rivera’s lip began to bleed.
His nose was hurt.
The crowd thought the young Mexican was finished.
But Rivera was still standing.
Then, suddenly, Rivera hit Danny with a powerful right hand.
Danny fell.
The crowd became silent.
Nobody had expected it.
Danny slowly got up.
The first round continued.
Danny survived.
In the next few rounds, he changed his strategy.
He stopped attacking so wildly.
He moved carefully.
He defended himself and waited for chances to strike.
He was an experienced fighter, and his skill began to show.
He hit Rivera many times.
Rivera fell once.
But he got up.
He always got up.
The crowd began to shout for Danny.
“Kill him, Danny!”
“Come on, Danny!”
Rivera heard them, but the voices did not matter to him.
He was thinking about Mexico. He remembered his parents. He remembered the workers. He remembered the soldiers and the rifles. He remembered the bodies.
Then he remembered the guns that the revolutionaries were waiting for.
He had to win.
The fight continued.
Round after round, Danny attacked.
Rivera defended himself and waited.
Sometimes Danny knocked him down.
Sometimes Rivera knocked Danny down.
The fight became harder.
By the tenth round, both men were exhausted.
Danny’s smile was gone.
Rivera was badly hurt, but his determination remained.
Danny tried every trick he knew.
He held Rivera.
He pushed him.
He hit him when the referee was not looking.
The referee often seemed to favor Danny.
Rivera understood that he could not trust anyone.
He had to win by himself.
In the fourteenth round, Rivera knocked Danny down again.
As Danny got up, Rivera heard Kelly speaking to Roberts.
“Danny has to win,” Kelly said.
Rivera understood.
They were trying to control the fight.
Kelly came to Rivera’s corner.
“Listen,” he said quietly. “You must lose this fight. If you do, I can help you later.”
Rivera looked at him.
“I can help you become a champion,” Kelly continued.
Rivera said nothing.
“Just go down.”
Still Rivera said nothing.
The gong sounded.
The final round began.
Danny attacked again.
Rivera moved away.
Danny tried to force him into a close fight.
Rivera understood the danger.
If the fight became too close, Danny and the referee could use another unfair trick.
So Rivera kept moving.
The crowd became angry.
“Fight!”
“Stop running!”
“You’re afraid!”
Rivera did not answer.
He was waiting.
Danny attacked again.
Rivera moved backward.
Danny thought Rivera was tired.
He rushed forward.
Rivera suddenly struck him.
Danny fell.
He got up.
Rivera hit him again.
Danny fell once more.
The crowd became silent.
Danny tried to rise.
Rivera waited.
Danny stood.
Rivera struck again.
This time Danny could not recover.
The referee began to count.
“Eight… nine… ten!”
Danny did not get up.
The fight was over.
Rivera had won.
For several seconds, he simply stood there.
Then he looked at the referee.
“Who wins?”
The referee raised Rivera’s hand. The Mexican boy was the winner.mBut the crowd did not celebrate him.
There were no great congratulations.
Rivera walked back to his corner alone.
His legs were shaking. He was exhausted. He was almost unable to stand.
But he had won.
And the money was his.
Chapter 4 – Vocabulary
1. Punch /pʌntʃ/ — to hit someone with your closed hand
Example: Danny landed a powerful punch on Rivera.
2. Knock down /nɒk daʊn/ — to make someone fall to the ground by hitting them
Example: Rivera knocked Danny down with a hard punch.
3. Crowd /kraʊd/ — a large group of people in one place
Example: The crowd shouted loudly as the fight continued.
4. Referee /ˌrefəˈriː/ — the person who controls a sports match
Example: The referee watched the boxers carefully.
5. Exhausted /ɪɡˈzɔːstɪd/ — extremely tired
Example: Rivera was exhausted, but he continued to fight.
6. Strength /streŋθ/ — physical power or ability
Example: Rivera used all his strength to stay on his feet.
7. Bruise /bruːz/ — a dark mark on the skin caused by an injury
Example: Rivera’s face was covered with bruises after the fight.
8. Defeat /dɪˈfiːt/ — to win against someone in a competition or fight
Example: Rivera was determined to defeat Danny Ward.
Chapter Five
The Victory and the Truth
Rivera sat in his corner. Nobody came to congratulate him. The crowd was still trying to understand what had happened.
They had expected Danny Ward to win.
Instead, the unknown Mexican had defeated him.
Rivera was shaking from exhaustion.
His body hurt everywhere.
His face was covered with sweat and blood.
But he was thinking about only one thing.
The money.
The five thousand dollars.
The guns.
Mexico.
The Revolution could continue.
For the people around him, the fight had been about boxing.
For Danny, it had been about money and his reputation.
For Rivera, it had been something much greater.
He had carried his past into the ring.
He had carried the memory of his father and mother.
He had carried the suffering of the workers.
He had carried the anger of a young man who had lost almost everything.
And now he had won.
The people in the revolutionary group had never fully understood him.
They had seen a strange young man who cleaned their office, disappeared for days, and returned with money.
They had wondered where the money came from.
They had wondered why he never smiled.
They had wondered why his eyes were always so cold.
Now the answer was clear.
Rivera had not been working for himself.
He had been working for Mexico.
Every difficult day, every fight, every injury, and every sacrifice had been part of the same purpose.
He needed money because the Revolution needed guns.
He needed to win because the Revolution was waiting.
The next step was not finished.
The Revolution still had a long road ahead.
But Rivera had done his part.
He had found the money.
He had won the fight.
And he had refused to surrender.
For the first time, the reader can understand the young man who had seemed so cold.
His anger had not disappeared.
His pain had not disappeared.
But now his determination had achieved something.
Rivera slowly stood up.
He looked around the arena.
Thousands of faces were looking at him.
A few people were surprised.
Some were disappointed.
Others were angry.
Rivera did not care.
His eyes moved across the crowd.
For a moment, he remembered the rifles he had seen in his childhood.
He remembered the soldiers.
He remembered the dead workers.
Then he thought of the guns that would soon cross the border.
The guns would be paid for with the money he had won.
And the Revolution would go on.
Rivera walked away from the ring.
He did not smile.
He did not celebrate.
He did not look for praise.
He simply walked forward.
He had another job to do.
Chapter Summary
Rivera wins the fight, but he receives almost no congratulations. He is exhausted, yet he is thinking about the money and the guns that the Revolution needs. His victory shows the true reason behind everything he has done. Rivera has suffered greatly, but his determination has never disappeared. His victory gives the Mexican Revolution a chance to continue.
Vocabulary
| Word/Phrase | Simple Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| victory | success in a fight or competition | Rivera’s victory surprised everyone. |
| purpose | the reason for doing something | His purpose was to help Mexico. |
| sacrifice | giving up something important | Rivera made many sacrifices. |
| determination | strong decision to continue | His determination was powerful. |
| freedom | ability to live without control | He wanted freedom for Mexico. |
| continue | keep going | The Revolution could continue. |
| exhausted | extremely tired | Rivera was exhausted. |
| praise | good words about someone | Rivera did not want praise. |
| suffering | pain or difficulty | He remembered years of suffering. |
| achieve | successfully do something | Rivera achieved his goal. |
Comprehension Questions
- Why did Rivera not celebrate his victory?
- What was he thinking about after the fight?
- What did the money mean to him?
- What did Rivera remember during the fight?
- Why had the other revolutionaries misunderstood him?
- What did Rivera’s victory make possible?
- What does the ending tell us about Rivera?
Grammar Exercises
A. Choose the correct form.
- Rivera ___ the fight.
a) win
b) won
c) winning - He ___ exhausted after the fight.
a) was
b) were
c) is - The Revolution ___ continue.
a) could
b) can
c) must to
B. Conditionals
Complete:
- If Rivera had lost, the Revolution ___ (have) less money.
- If he gives the money to the group, they ___ (buy) guns.
- If people understand Rivera, they ___ (see) why he acted this way.
C. Relative Clauses
Join the sentences:
- Rivera was the young man. He won the fight.
- The money was important. Rivera had earned it.
- Mexico was the country. Rivera wanted to help it.
Speaking Practice
- Do you think Rivera was a hero? Why?
- What does victory mean to Rivera?
- Was Rivera right to refuse Kelly’s offer?
- Would you sacrifice something important for other people?
- Which quality is strongest in Rivera: courage, anger, loyalty, or determination?
Useful Expressions
| Expression | Uzbek Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| refuse to give up | taslim bo‘lishni rad etmoq | Rivera refused to give up. |
| achieve a goal | maqsadga erishmoq | He achieved his goal. |
| fight for freedom | ozodlik uchun kurashmoq | They fought for freedom. |
| make a sacrifice | qurbonlik qilmoq | Rivera made many sacrifices. |
| move forward | oldinga harakat qilmoq | He continued to move forward. |
| have a purpose | maqsadga ega bo‘lmoq | Rivera had a clear purpose. |
Answer Key
Comprehension:
- Because the victory was not about fame or celebration for him.
- He was thinking about the money and the Revolution.
- It would help the Revolution buy guns.
- He remembered his parents, workers, soldiers, and violence.
- Because he never explained his past or his real purpose.
- It gave the Revolution money for guns.
- It shows that he was determined, selfless, and deeply committed to his cause.
Grammar:
A: 1-b, 2-a, 3-a
B: 1-would have, 2-will buy, 3-will see
C:
- Rivera was the young man who won the fight.
- The money that Rivera had earned was important.
- Mexico was the country that Rivera wanted to help.
Final Learning Section
About the Story
Jack London was an American writer famous for stories about struggle, courage, survival, and difficult choices.
The Mexican tells the story of Felipe Rivera, a young Mexican revolutionary who secretly earns money to support the fight against the government of Porfirio Díaz.
The story takes place mainly in Los Angeles and Mexico, during a period of political conflict and revolution.
The central conflict is both political and personal. Rivera wants to help the Mexican Revolution, but he must first earn the money needed to buy weapons. His final boxing match becomes much more than a sporting event: it becomes a test of his courage, determination, and loyalty.
Main Characters
| Character | Role in the Story | Personality |
|---|---|---|
| Felipe Rivera | Young revolutionary and boxer | quiet, determined, brave, mysterious |
| Paulino Vera | Revolutionary leader | responsible, suspicious but loyal |
| May Sethby | Member of the revolutionary group | kind, thoughtful, caring |
| Ramos | Revolutionary | suspicious and worried |
| Arrellano | Revolutionary | observant and uncertain |
| Danny Ward | Rivera’s boxing opponent | confident, experienced, competitive |
| Roberts | Boxing trainer | experienced, perceptive |
| Michael Kelly | Fight promoter | ambitious, selfish, interested in money |
Main Themes
Courage
Rivera continues fighting even when he is badly hurt.
Determination
He refuses to give up because his goal is more important than his own comfort.
Freedom
Rivera believes that Mexico should be free.
Sacrifice
He gives his time, strength, safety, and health to help the Revolution.
Loyalty
Rivera remains loyal to his cause even when nobody understands him.
Justice
His memories of workers and his parents help explain why he wants change.
Struggle
The story shows people struggling against poverty, violence, political power, and personal suffering.
Final Vocabulary Review
| Word/Phrase | Simple Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| revolutionary | person fighting for political change | He was a revolutionary. |
| freedom | ability to live freely | They wanted freedom. |
| courage | ability to face fear | Rivera showed courage. |
| determination | strong decision to continue | His determination was powerful. |
| sacrifice | giving up something important | He made a sacrifice. |
| opponent | person you compete against | Danny was his opponent. |
| fighter | person who fights | Rivera was a skilled fighter. |
| struggle | difficult fight or effort | Their struggle continued. |
| victory | success in a competition | Rivera won a great victory. |
| defeat | win against someone | He defeated Danny. |
| survive | continue to live | Rivera survived. |
| attack | try to hurt someone | Danny attacked first. |
| defend | protect yourself | Rivera defended himself. |
| refuse | say no | He refused Kelly’s offer. |
| pressure | difficult situation or stress | Rivera felt pressure. |
| exhausted | extremely tired | He was exhausted. |
| suspicious | not trusting someone | They were suspicious. |
| secret | something hidden | Rivera had a secret. |
| purpose | reason for an action | He had a clear purpose. |
| trust | believe someone is honest | Vera learned to trust him. |
| opponent | person on the other side | Danny was his opponent. |
| trainer | person who prepares fighters | Roberts trained fighters. |
| referee | person controlling a fight | The referee counted. |
| crowd | large group watching | The crowd shouted. |
| arena | place where sports happen | The arena was full. |
| border | line between countries | The men waited near the border. |
| survive | remain alive | Rivera survived the fight. |
| achieve | successfully complete something | He achieved his goal. |
| continue | keep going | The Revolution continued. |
| rely on | depend on | Rivera had to rely on himself. |
| fight back | attack after being attacked | Rivera fought back. |
| give up | stop trying | He never gave up. |
| take a risk | do something dangerous | He took a great risk. |
| keep a secret | not tell others | Rivera kept his secret. |
| winner takes all | winner receives everything | They agreed that the winner takes all. |
| fight for freedom | struggle to become free | They fought for freedom. |
| achieve a goal | reach an objective | Rivera achieved his goal. |
| move forward | continue toward the future | He moved forward without praise. |
Final Comprehension Test
Part A — Multiple Choice
- Why did Rivera join the revolutionary group?
a) To become famous
b) To help the Revolution
c) To find a new job
d) To become a politician
- Why did the revolutionaries first distrust him?
a) He was too friendly.
b) He was a boxer.
c) He was mysterious.
d) He asked for money.
- How did Rivera get money?
a) From the government
b) Through boxing and other work
c) From his parents
d) From Vera
- What did the Revolution need?
a) Food
b) Houses
c) Guns and ammunition
d) Clothes
- Who was Rivera’s opponent?
a) Roberts
b) Vera
c) Kelly
d) Danny Ward
- Why was the fight important to Rivera?
a) He wanted fame.
b) He wanted to become popular.
c) He needed money for the Revolution.
d) He wanted to impress Danny.
- What did Kelly ask Rivera to do?
a) Leave the arena
b) Lose the fight
c) Fight again
d) Change his name
- What did Rivera do?
a) He accepted Kelly’s offer.
b) He left the fight.
c) He continued fighting.
d) He apologized.
- How did Rivera win?
a) Danny left the ring.
b) The referee stopped the fight immediately.
c) Rivera knocked Danny down and he could not rise.
d) Danny gave Rivera the money.
- What did the victory mean to Rivera?
a) Fame
b) A new career
c) Money for the Revolution
d) Friendship with Danny
Part B — True or False
- Rivera was a talkative young man.
- The revolutionaries believed Rivera was a spy at first.
- Rivera often helped the group financially.
- Danny was less experienced than Rivera.
- Rivera refused to give up the fight.
- The crowd strongly supported Rivera.
- Kelly tried to make Rivera lose.
- Rivera won the final fight.
Part C — Short Answer
- Why did Rivera change his name?
- What happened to his parents?
Final Grammar Review
1. Past Simple
Complete:
- Rivera ___ (join) the revolutionary group.
- He ___ (work) without asking for money.
- Danny ___ (attack) him.
- Rivera ___ (win) the fight.
2. Past Continuous
- The crowd ___ (shout) when the gong sounded.
- Danny ___ (attack) while Rivera ___ (defend).
3. Past Perfect
- Rivera ___ already ___ (learn) many fighting skills before the final match.
- The revolutionaries ___ ___ (lose) most of their money before Rivera helped them.
4. Modal Verbs
Choose: must / might / should / could
- Rivera ___ win if he remained determined.
- The revolutionaries ___ buy guns with the money.
- The men ___ have trusted Rivera earlier.
- Rivera knew that he ___ be killed on his missions.
5. Conditionals
Complete:
- If Rivera loses, the Revolution ___ have less money.
- If he had given up, he ___ not have won.
- If the revolutionaries get the guns, they ___ continue their plans.
6. Linking Words
Use:
although — because — while — however — when
- ___ Rivera was exhausted, he continued.
- Danny attacked ___ Rivera tried to defend himself.
- Rivera needed the money ___ the Revolution needed guns.
- Danny was stronger. ___, Rivera was more determined.
- ___ the fight ended, Rivera asked who had won.
7. Relative Clauses
Combine:
- Rivera was a young fighter. He never gave up.
- Danny was an experienced boxer. He fought Rivera.
- The money was for the Revolution. Rivera won it.