Level: Upper
intermediate and up
Henry Blodgett looked at his wrist watch and saw that it was two o’clock in the morning. In despair, he slammed shut the textbook he’d been studying and let his head sink onto his arms on the table in front of him. He knew he’d 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 flunked it, he was through with college; he’d flunked three other courses in his first two years and another failure this year would, under college rules, cause automatic expulsion.
He wanted that college degree badly too, since it was indispensable for the career he’d chosen and worked toward. Only a miracle could save him now.
He sat up suddenly as an idea struck him. Why not try magic? The occult had always interested him. He had books on it and he’d often read the simple instructions on how to conjure up a demon and make it obey his will. Up to now, he’d always figured that it was a bit risky and so had never actually tried it. But this was an emergency and might be worth the slight risk. Only through black magic could he suddenly become an expert in a subject that had always been difficult for him.
From the shelf 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 incantations.
The demon was considerably more horrible than he had anticipated. But he mustered his courage and started to explain his dilemma. “I’ve always been poor at geometry,” he began.
“You’re telling me,” said the demon gleefully.
Smiling flames, it came for him across the chalk lines of the useless hexagram Henry had drawn by mistake instead of the protecting 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
.
Geometry:
a
branch of mathematics that deals with points, lines, angles, surfaces, and
solids; see the pictures.
To flunk:
to
fail a test.
Expulsion: to officially force (someone) to leave a place or
organization.
Indispensable:
extremely
important and necessary.
Idea
Struck: An idea comes to someone quickly.
Occult:
of
or relating to supernatural powers or practices.
To conjure
up: to
make (something) appear or seem to appear by using magic.
To obey: to do
what someone tells you to do or what a rule, law, etc., says you must do.
Black
magic: magic that is associated with the devil or with evil spirits:
evil magic.
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.
Incantation:
a series of words used to make something magic happen.
To muster: to
work hard to find or get (courage, support, etc.).
Dilemma:
a situation in which you have to make a difficult choice.
Chalk:
a
substance that is made into white or colored sticks and used for writing or
drawing.
You’re
telling me: (slang): used for expressing strong agreement with
something someone just said.
Gleeful: a strong
feeling of happiness: great pleasure or satisfaction.
Hexagram: a
six-pointed star, with all lines the same length and all angles the same. See picture.
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?
