Short Story: Naturally by Fredric Brown (adapted for intermediate level)

Level: intermediate

Henry Blodgett looked at his watch and saw that it was two o’clock in the morning. Without hope, he closed the textbook he’d been studying, and he put his head onto his arms on the table in front of him. He knew he would never pass that examination tomorrow; the more he studied geometry the less he understood it. Mathematics in general had always been difficult for him and now he was finding that geometry was impossible for him to learn.

And if he failed it, he would never be able to graduate from college; he already failed three other courses in his first two years, and if he failed another course this year, under college rules, he would be expelled.

He wanted that college degree badly too, since it was essential for the career he’d chosen and worked toward. Only a miracle could save him now.

He sat up suddenly as an idea hit him. Why not try magic? It had always interested him. He had books on it and he’d often read the simple instructions on how to call up a demon and make it obey him. Up to now, he’d always thought that it was a bit risky and so had never actually tried it. But this was an emergency and might be worth the small risk. Only through black magic could he suddenly become an expert in a subject that had always been difficult for him.

From the bookshelf he quickly took out his best book on black magic, found the right page and refreshed his memory on the few simple things he had to do.

Enthusiastically, he cleared the floor by pushing the furniture against the walls. He drew the pentagram figure on the carpet with chalk and stepped inside it. He then said the spell.

The demon was much more horrible than he had anticipated. But he gathered his courage and started to explain his problem. “I’ve always been poor at geometry,” he began . . .

“Yes, you have been poor at it,” said the demon smiling.

With a smile and in flames, the demon came for him across the chalk lines of the useless hexagram Henry had drawn by mistake instead of the protective pentagram.

Vocabulary:  To help learners fully understand the audio and transcript, most vocabulary that might be unknown for this lesson’s level is provided. Vocab in bold is more useful for learners at the lesson’s target level. Try to choose 8 to 10 new words to learn from the story (in general, it’s best to try to learn no more than 8-10 new words a day).

Definitions are written with the help of various sources including  Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary .

Textbook: a book about a particular subject that is used in the study of that subject especially in a school.

To pass: to complete (a test, class, etc.) successfully.

Geometry: a branch of mathematics that deals with points, lines, angles, surfaces, and solids; see the pictures.

To fail: to not succeed.

Graduate from: to earn a degree or diploma from a school, college, or university.

To expel: to officially force (someone) to leave a place or organization.

College degree: a degree that is given to a student by a college or university after completing study.

Miracle: a very amazing or unusual event, thing, or achievement.

Demon: an evil spirit.

Obey: to do what someone tells you to do or what a rule, law, etc., says you must do.

Emergency: an unexpected and usually dangerous situation that calls for immediate action.

Black magic: magic that is associated with the devil or with evil spirits : evil magic.

Bookshelf: a flat board which is attached to a wall, frame, etc., and on which books can be placed.

Enthusiastic: feeling or showing strong excitement about something : filled with or marked by enthusiasm.

Pentagram: a shape that is like a star with five points formed by five straight lines and that is often used as a magic or religious symbol. See picture.

Chalk: a substance that is made into white or colored sticks and used for writing or drawing.

Spell: magic that is performed by saying a group of special words.

Anticipate: to think of (something that will or might happen in the future): to expect.

Courage: the ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous: bravery.

Flame: the hot, glowing gas that can be seen when a fire is burning.

Hexagram: a six-pointed star, with all lines the same length and all angles the same. See picture.

Protective: Used to keep (someone or something) from being harmed, lost, etc.

Discussion questions:

1. What happened to the main character of this story?

2. Do you believe in magic?

3. Did you ever wish you could get something by magic?

4. If you could get something by magic, what would it be?

5. Do we need to work hard for everything we achieve?