THE GATEMAN´S GIFT

SUMMARY

     Govind Singh, an ex-serviceman was appointed as a gatekeeper in an English company. He liked the job and was smart in his khaki uniform. Whenever the Sahib's car stopped at the gate,
he would give him a military salute. He sincerely served the company for twenty five (25) years. Then he begged to be pensioned off. The company commended his service and gave him a pension of rupees twelve (12) a month for life. He lived peacefully; his wife also earned little money as a servant. Every month Singh went to the company and got the pension from the clerk.
One day Singh made a new discovery about himself. A child brought him a doll for repair. He repaired it and started making dolls out of clay. This skill with which he made beautiful dolls made many people admire him. His models made a miniature reflection of the world. He showed his loyalty to the Sahib of the company by making a present of his handwork to him.
One fine day Singh received a registered letter. He was afraid that this might be the news of stoppage of his pension. The letter worried him and drove him mad. One day the police arrested him for breaking streetlights. Even at that time he had not opened the letter.
On the way to police station the accountant of the company met him by chance. He told Singh about the content of the letter. It was Sahib's commendation of his artistic models with a reward of rupees hundred. The accountant tore to open the letter and gave him the cheque. The accountant secured the release of Singh. There after Singh never made toys again.

THE NECKLACE

THE NECKLACE
                         by:Guy de Maupassant
SUMMARY
      A young woman named Mathilde Loisel is married to a little clerk of the Ministry of Public Instruction. They live a poor life, which Mathilde hates.
One day, they are invited to a grand ball where the rich people will be .Mathilde buys a new gown from her husband’s savings intended to buy him a gun for shooting larks, for his hobby. To go with that very elegant gown, she borrows a diamond necklace from her friend Madame Forestier. At the ball, Mathilde is prettier than any woman there. When
they arrive home after that ball, she discovers that the borrowed necklace is gone. She and her husband try to find it, but are not able to, so they buy another one exactly the same, for thirty-four thousand francs from its original price of forty francs; such a very big amount of money for the couple.
They use up Mathilde’s husband's inheritance, borrowed from usurers, and they work odd jobs for ten years just to make up for that amount. After ten years, Mathilde sees Madame Forestier by
chance, and after those years, finally confesses that the necklace she returned was a replacement. Madame Forestier is shocked, and tells her that the necklace she lent her was fake, worth at most five hundred francs.

More Information
A. CHARACTERS
There are three main characters in this short story:
1. Mathilde Loisel, the wife
2. The little clerk of the Ministry of Public Instruction, the husband
3. Madame Forestier, the friend who lent Mathilde a diamond necklace
B. PLOT
a) Introduction
Mathilde, the main woman character in this short story, is being described as unhappy
because of her and her husband’s being poor.
b) Rising Action
The complication starts when she and her husband are invited to a rich people’s ball. She buys a new gown, and to go with it, she borrows an elegant diamond necklace from her
friend Madame Forestier.

C. Falling action
To replace the lost diamond necklace, Mathilde and her husband buy another one exactly the same, for thirty-four thousand francs, from its original price of forty francs,such a very big amount of money for the couple. The eighteen thousand francs was inherited by her husband from his father, and the rest of the amount he borrows from various sources.

D. THEME
Things are not always as they appear to be and also Be content on
what you have.

Title: Making Phone Call in English

Starting a phone conversation

If you call someone on your mobile phone or the phone installed in your home (called a ‘landline’), this is a good way to begin the conversation:
-“Good morning/afternoon/evening.
This is X (your name).”

If someone calls you, the usual ways of answering the phone include:
“Hello?” (informal)
“Good morning/afternoon/evening.
This is X (your name) speaking.” (more formal)

Asking for what you want

After you’ve greeted the person you’re calling, you should explain why you are phoning. These are some phrases you could use:
“I’m calling about…”
“Please may I speak to Y (person’s name).”
“Would it be possible to book some tickets for…”

Understanding what happens next

Often, the person who’s answered the phone may need to find some information to help you, or pass you on to another person. So you might hear them say one of the following things:
“I’ll just put you through.”
“Please hold the line.”
“Just a moment.”
All these phrases mean they are in the process of dealing with your call, so you should wait patiently. You may hear music playing while you wait.

Alternatively, the person you’ve called may not be able to help you or put you through to someone who can. In this case, you may need to leave certain information so that someone can call you back. So you may be asked:
“Would you like to leave a message?” (if asked this, give them your name and telephone number)
“Please could I take your number?” (this refers to your telephone number)
“Please could you call back at a different time?”

Ending the call

These are some common ways either party can end the phone call:
“Thank you for calling.”
“I have to go now.”
“I hope we can speak again soon.”

Using the phone to practice your English can be daunting, but don’t be shy – it’s a great way to improve your speaking and listening skills.

                     From.Bloombury News Bolg