Skip to content 
The Model Millionaire by Oscar Wilde is a short and easy story about a kind young man. His name is Hughie Erskine. He is poor, but he has a good heart.
In this story, Hughie helps an old man because he feels sorry for him. He does not think about money. He just wants to help. Later, something surprising happens. His small kindness brings him a big reward.
The story shows an important idea: being kind is more important than being rich. It teaches us that good people can have a happy life.
This story is rewritten for Level 2 English learners. It uses simple words and short sentences. It is easy to read and understand.
In the second part, the story becomes more interesting. Hughie learns something new, and his life changes. This english story level 2 helps learners read, learn new words, and enjoy the story at the same time.
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 Model Millionaire
Oscar Wilde
Contents
Chapter One: A Handsome but Poor Young Man
Chapter Two: The Old Beggar in the Studio
Chapter Four: A Wonderful Gift
Chapter One
A Handsome but Poor Young Man
Hughie Erskine was a very kind and handsome young man. He had soft brown hair, clear eyes, and a friendly smile. Everyone liked him. Men liked him, and women liked him too.
But Hughie had one big problem — he was poor.
He did not have a good job. He tried many things. First, he worked in the Stock Exchange, but he did not understand business. Then he tried selling tea, but he became bored. After that, he tried selling wine, but he was not successful.
In the end, Hughie had no real job. He lived on a small amount of money from his aunt. It was not enough for a comfortable life.
Even though he was poor, Hughie was happy most of the time. He loved life, and he had a good heart.
Hughie was also in love.
The girl he loved was Laura Merton. She was beautiful and kind. Laura loved Hughie very much too.
But there was a problem.
Laura’s father, Colonel Merton, did not agree with their marriage.
One day, he said to Hughie:
“Come back when you have ten thousand pounds. Then you can marry my daughter.”
Ten thousand pounds was a very big amount of money. Hughie did not know how to get it.
Still, he did not lose hope.
Chapter 1 – Vocabulary
1. Handsome — good-looking.
Hughie is a very handsome young man.
2. Love — strong feeling for someone
He loves Laura very much.
3. Money — what we use to buy things
He does not have much money.
4. Marry — to become husband and wife
He wants to marry Laura.
5. Poor — not rich.
He is poor and has no money.
6. Young — not old.
Hughie is young and kind.
7. Job — work you do.
He does not have a good job.
Comprehension Questions
1. Who is Hughie Erskine?
2. Is Hughie rich or poor?
3. What is Laura like?
4. Can Hughie marry Laura now?
5. What does Hughie look like?
6. Who does Hughie love?
7. What does Laura’s father want?
Chapter 1 – Grammar Exercises
Choose the correct answer:
1. He ___ poor.
A) is
B) are
C) am
3. Laura ___ beautiful.
A) are
B) is
C) be
5. Hughie ___ no job.
A) have
B) has
C) having
7. They ___ to marry.
A) wants
B) want
C) wanting
2. He _ Laura.
A) love
B) loves
C) loving
4. Her father ___ money.
A) want
B) wants
C) wanting
6. He ___ to work.
A) try
B) tries
C) trying
Please write your answers in the comments. The correct answers will be posted later.
Chapter Two
The Old Beggar in the Studio
One morning, Hughie went to visit his friend Alan Trevor. Alan was a painter.
Alan’s studio was full of colors, brushes, and paintings. He was working on a new painting that day.
When Hughie entered the room, he saw something surprising.
An old beggar was standing on a small platform.
The man looked very poor. His clothes were old and torn. His face was thin and full of lines. He looked tired and sad.
Hughie felt sorry for him.
“What a wonderful model!” Hughie said quietly.
“Yes!” Alan answered. “He is perfect for my painting.”
Hughie watched the old man. He looked very weak and unhappy.
After some time, Alan left the room for a few minutes.
The old man sat down to rest. He looked even more tired now.
Hughie checked his pockets. He did not have much money — only one gold coin and a few small coins.
He thought:
“This poor man needs money more than I do.”
So Hughie walked up to the old beggar and quietly gave him the gold coin.
The old man looked surprised.
“Thank you, sir,” he said softly.
Hughie smiled and left the studio.
Chapter 2 – Vocabulary
1. Studio – place where an artist works.
Alan’s studio was full of colors.
3. Torn – broken or damaged clothes
His clothes were old and torn.
5. Pockets – small bags in clothes
Hughie checked his pockets.
7. Coin – small round money
He gave him the gold coin.
2. Beggar – very poor person who asks for money.
An old beggar was standing on a small platform.
4. Tired – needing rest
He looked tired and sad.
6. Model – person for a painting
He is perfect for my painting.
Comprehension Questions .
1. Where does Hughie go?
3. What does Hughie see in the studio?
5. Why does Hughie feel sorry?
7. What does the old man say?
2. Who is Alan Trevor?
4. How does the old man look?
6. What does Hughie give the old man?
Chapter 2– Grammar Exercises
1. Hughie ___ to the studio.
A) go
B) goes
C) going
3. The beggar ___ poor.
A) look
B) looks
C) looking
5. He ___ his pockets.
A) check
B) checks
C) checking
7. The man ___ thank you.
A) say
B) says
C) saying
2. Alan ___ a painter.
A) is
B) are
C) am
4. Hughie ___ sorry.
A) feel
B) feels
C) feeling
6. Hughie ___ a coin.
A) give
B) gives
C) giving
Please write your answers in the comments. The correct answers will be posted later.
Chapter Three
A Big Surprise
Later that evening, Hughie met Alan again.
Alan was laughing.
“You are a very generous man,” Alan said.
Hughie did not understand.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
Alan smiled and said:
“That old beggar… is not really a beggar.”
Hughie looked confused.
“He is Baron Hausberg — one of the richest men in Europe!”
Hughie was shocked.
“What?!” he cried. “I gave him a gold coin!”
Alan laughed loudly.
“Yes! You gave money to a millionaire!”
Hughie felt embarrassed.
“I made a big mistake,” he said.
But Alan shook his head.
“No,” he said. “The Baron liked you very much. He asked many questions about you.”
Hughie felt a little better, but still worried.
“What will he think about me?” he asked.
Alan smiled.
“He thinks you are kind.”
Chapter 3 – Vocabulary
1. Generous – gives to others.
You are a very generous man.
3. Richest – having most money.
One of the richest men in Europe.
5. Mistake – something wrong
I made a big mistake.
7. Kind – nice and helpful
He thinks you are kind.
2. Confused – not understanding.
Hughie looked confused.
4. Shocked – very surprised.
Hughie was shocked.
6. Worried – thinking about a problem
Hughie felt a little better, but still worried.
Comprehension Questions
1. Who does Hughie meet?
3. Who is the beggar?
5. What does Hughie feel?
7. What does the Baron think about Hughie?
2. Why does Alan laugh?
4. Is the beggar really poor?
6. What does Hughie think?
Chapter 3– Grammar Exercises
1. Hughie _ Alan.
A) meet
B) meets
C) meeting
3. The beggar _ rich.
A) is
B) are
C) am
5. He _ a mistake.
A) make
B) makes
C) making
7. The Baron ___ Hughie.
A) like
B) likes
C) liking
2. Alan _ laughing.
A) is
B) are
C) am
4. Hughie _ confused.
A) look
B) looks
C) looking
6. Hughie _ worried.
A) feel
B) feels
C) feeling
Please write your answers in the comments. The correct answers will be posted later.
Chapter Four
A Wonderful Gift
The next morning, Hughie was having breakfast. A servant came with a card. A visitor wanted to see him.
Soon, an older man entered the room. He was polite and serious.
“I come from Baron Hausberg,” he said.
Hughie felt nervous.
“I am very sorry,” Hughie said quickly. “Please tell the Baron I did not know who he was.”
The man smiled.
“The Baron asked me to give you this,” he said.
He gave Hughie a letter. Hughie opened it slowly.
Inside, there was a message:
“A wedding gift to Hughie and Laura, from an old beggar.”
There was also a cheque. It was for ten thousand pounds. Hughie could not believe his eyes.
Now he could marry Laura.
Hughie and Laura got married soon after. It was a beautiful wedding. Alan Trevor was there, smiling and happy.
Baron Hausberg also came. He spoke kindly and wished them a happy life. Everyone was joyful.
Hughie learned an important lesson:
Kindness always brings good results.
Sometimes, when you give something small, you receive something very big.
— THE END —
Chapter 4– Vocabulary
1. Servant – person who works in a house.
A servant came with a card.
3. Letter – written message
He gave Hughie a letter.
5. Cheque – paper for money
There was also a cheque.
7. Kindness – being kind
Kindness always brings good results.
2. Visitor – person who comes to see someone.
A visitor wanted to see him.
4. Gift – something you give
A wedding gift to Hughie and Laura.
6. Marry – become husband and wife
Now he could marry Laura.
Comprehension Questions
1. Who comes to see Hughie?
3. What does the man give Hughie?
5. How much money is in the cheque?
7. What lesson does Hughie learn?
2. Where does the man come from?
4. What is inside the letter?
6. What happens to Hughie and Laura?
Chapter 4– Grammar Exercises
1. A man _ to see Hughie.
A) come
B) comes
C) coming
3. The man _ a letter.
A) give
B) gives
C) giving
5. He _ happy.
A) is
B) are
C) am
7. Kindness _ good results.
A) bring
B) brings
C) bringing
2. Hughie _ breakfast.
A) have
B) has
C) having
4. Hughie _ the letter.
A) open
B) opens
C) opening
6. They _ married.
A) get
B) gets
C) getting
Please write your answers in the comments. The correct answers will be posted later.
Read the original story: americanliterature.com
More English Stories:
01. A Cup of Tea (For A2 Elementary Level Learners)
“A Cup of Tea” by Katherine Mansfield is a famous short story written in 1922. Katherine Mansfield was a well-known writer from New Zealand. She is loved for her emotional, realistic, and short stories about everyday life. Her stories are simple on the surface but deep in meaning.
This story is about a rich young woman named Rosemary. One cold day, she meets a poor girl on the street. Rosemary wants to help her, but something changes her mind. The story shows how people can feel kind and selfish at the same time.
02. The Man that Corrupted Hadleyburg (For A2 Elementary Level Learners)
The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg is a short story by Mark Twain, a very famous American writer. He wrote this story in 1899. Twain is known for his clever humor and strong messages. In this story, he shows how even the most “honest” people can make mistakes when they are tempted by money and pride.
The story is about a town called Hadleyburg. The people in this town believe they are the most honest people in the world. They teach their children to be honest from a young age. One day, a stranger comes to the town. He feels hurt by something that happened there many years ago. So, he decides to teach the people a lesson. He creates a clever plan using a sack of gold coins and a fake message.
03. The Lady, or the Tiger? (For A2 Elementary Level Learners)
The Model Millionaire by Oscar Wilde is a short and easy story about a kind young man. His name is Hughie Erskine. He is poor, but he has a good heart.
In this story, Hughie helps an old man because he feels sorry for him. He does not think about money. He just wants to help. Later, something surprising happens. His small kindness brings him a big reward.
The story shows an important idea: being kind is more important than being rich. It teaches us that good people can have a happy life.