Learn English through story level 2 A Poor Mother | EnOn - Learn English Online

Summary

In a village, a poor mother's three sons, Tom, Bob, and Jack, each received magical gifts for their hard work: Tom, a table that provides food; Bob, a donkey that drops gold; and Jack, a stick that defends him. A jealous old man steals their treasures, but Jack's magic stick helps them reclaim their items. The family reunites, and with their magic, lives happily ever after.

Takeaways

• 👨‍👩‍👦 A poor mother with three sons, Tom, Bob, and Jack, who sought work to support the family.
• 🛠️ Tom worked for a kind man and received a magic table that provided food when commanded.
• 🏡 Tom encountered an envious old man who stole his magic table.
• 🐪 Bob worked for a friendly man and was given a magic donkey that produced gold when commanded.
• 🏚️ Bob was also deceived by the same old man who swapped the magic donkey with a regular one.
• 🪵 Jack worked with a woodcutter and received a magic stick that defended him against unkindness.
• 🤝 Jack used the magic stick to reclaim the stolen magic table and donkey from the old man.
• 🏡 The three brothers reunited and shared their magical items with their mother and village.
• 🍽️ The magic table provided food for everyone in the village.
• 💰 The magic donkey supplied gold to the villagers.
• 🎉 The family and the village lived happily ever after due to the magic items and their unity.

Q & A

What was the condition of the three sons' family?

The three sons, Tom, Bob, and Jack, lived with their mother in a village and were happy, but their mother was very poor.

What did Tom receive after working for a year?

Tom received a magic table that could produce wonderful food when he said 'I am hungry'.

How did the old man trick Tom into giving up his magic table?

The old man, who was jealous of Tom's magic table, replaced it with a new table that looked the same while Tom was asleep.

What was the reaction of the villagers when Tom's non-magic table failed to produce food?

The villagers laughed and left when the table did not produce any food upon Tom's command.

What did Bob receive after working for a year with a friendly man?

Bob received a magic donkey that could produce gold when he said the magic word 'Brickle bat'.

How did the old man steal Bob's magic donkey?

The old man replaced Bob's magic donkey with another donkey while Bob was asleep.

What was the outcome when Bob tried to show off his 'magic' donkey to his mother and the villagers?

The donkey did not produce any gold, and everyone laughed at Bob, leaving him angry and realizing the old man had his magic donkey.

What did Jack receive from the wood cutter after working for a year?

Jack received a magic stick that could come out of its box and hit people when they were unkind to Jack.

How did Jack retrieve the magic table and donkey from the old man?

Jack used the magic stick to threaten the old man, who then returned the magic table and donkey out of fear.

What was the final outcome for the mother and her three sons after Jack retrieved the magic items?

The mother and her three sons lived very happily ever after, with the villagers enjoying the magic table's food and the magic donkey's gold.

Outlines

00:00

🪄 Magic Table Adventure

The story begins with a poor mother and her three sons, Tom, Bob, and Jack, who live in a village. The sons seek work to support the family. Tom finds employment with a kind man who makes wooden items and, after a year of hard work, is gifted a magic table. This table provides food when commanded. Tom travels with the table, enjoying its benefits until he decides to visit his mother. On his way home, he encounters a jealous old man who steals the magic table. When Tom tries to demonstrate the table's magic to his mother and villagers, it fails to work, revealing the old man's deceit.

05:01

🐪 The Golden Donkey

Bob, the second son, works for a friendly man in a distant village and is rewarded with a magic donkey at the end of a year. This donkey can produce gold when given the command 'Brickle bat.' Bob enjoys a luxurious life with his donkey until he too decides to visit his mother. He stays at the same old man's house as Tom and falls victim to the old man's greed. The old man replaces Bob's magic donkey with a regular one, and when Bob tries to show off the donkey's magic to his mother and the villagers, it fails, leading to embarrassment and anger.

10:06

🛡️ The Protective Magic Stick

Jack, the eldest son, works with a wood cutter and receives a magic stick that protects him from unkindness. The stick can be commanded to attack and cease attacking. Jack encounters the same jealous old man and, using his magic stick, retrieves the stolen magic table and donkey. He returns home with all three magical items and shares them with his mother and villagers, who are delighted. The story concludes with the family living happily, having overcome the old man's treachery.

Keywords

💡Magic Table

The Magic Table is a central object in the story that has the power to produce food when commanded. It symbolizes the idea of a miraculous provider that can fulfill one's needs without effort. In the script, Tom receives this table as a reward for his hard work and uses it to sustain himself during his travels. The table also serves as a catalyst for the plot, as its theft by the jealous old man leads to a series of events that ultimately reunite the family and resolve the conflict.

💡Hard Work

Hard work is a recurring theme in the script, as each of the three sons works diligently for a year to earn their respective magical items. It represents the value of dedication and perseverance. The phrase 'Tom worked very hard for one year' exemplifies this concept, showing that the characters' efforts are rewarded with something of great value, even if it seems ordinary at first glance.

💡Jealousy

Jealousy is a key concept that drives the antagonist's actions in the story. The jealous old man covets the magical items owned by the sons, leading him to steal the Magic Table and the Magic Donkey. His jealousy represents the destructive nature of envy and the lengths people might go to acquire what others have. It is a central conflict in the narrative that must be overcome for the story to reach a resolution.

💡Magic Donkey

The Magic Donkey is another magical item that plays a significant role in the story. It has the ability to produce gold when given a specific command, symbolizing wealth and the potential for prosperity. Bob receives this donkey as a reward, and it represents the idea that even small and seemingly insignificant things can hold great value. The donkey's theft by the old man and its eventual recovery are pivotal plot points.

💡Magic Stick

The Magic Stick is a protective and just item that Jack receives. It embodies the concept of defense and the power of justice. When someone is unkind, the stick comes to life and defends its owner. This stick is a symbol of the importance of standing up against wrongs and protecting what is rightfully yours, as seen when Jack uses it to reclaim the stolen items from the old man.

💡Reward

Reward is a concept that is closely tied to the theme of hard work in the story. Each son receives a magical item as a reward for their labor, signifying that their efforts are recognized and valued. The rewards also serve as tools that aid them in their journeys, emphasizing the idea that the fruits of one's labor can lead to unexpected benefits.

💡Village

The village is the setting where the story begins and ends, representing a sense of community and belonging. It is where the mother lives and where the sons return after their individual adventures. The village is also the place where the magical items are revealed to the community, highlighting the theme of sharing and the joy that comes from communal experiences.

💡Mother

The mother is a central character who represents family and the driving force behind the sons' actions. Her poverty motivates the sons to seek work, and her happiness at their return signifies the importance of family unity. The mother's role is crucial as she is the one who benefits from the sons' efforts and the one who ultimately brings the family together.

💡Adventure

Adventure is a theme that runs through the story as each son embarks on a journey to find work and ends up with a magical item. Their individual adventures symbolize personal growth and the pursuit of self-improvement. The phrase 'he went from country to country, and from city to city' illustrates the adventurous spirit of the sons as they explore new places and experiences.

💡Happiness

Happiness is a central theme in the story, often tied to the presence or absence of the magical items. The sons are described as being happy when they have their magical items, and the mother is happy when her sons return. Happiness is depicted as a state that comes from both material prosperity and emotional fulfillment, such as when the family reunites and shares in the joy of their magical items.

💡Reunion

Reunion is a key event in the story that signifies the resolution of conflict and the restoration of harmony. It occurs when the three sons come back together with their mother, having reclaimed their stolen items. The reunion is a moment of joy and celebration, highlighting the importance of family and unity, as seen when the villagers join the family to enjoy the magical table and donkey.

Highlights

A poor mother with three sons seeks work for them to improve their lives.

Tom, the youngest son, works for a kind man and is gifted a magical table that provides food when commanded.

Tom travels across countries with his magical table, always finding food.

Tom encounters an old man who steals his magical table out of jealousy.

Bob, the second son, receives a magical donkey that produces gold when given the command.

Bob enjoys a life of luxury, funded by the gold from his magical donkey.

The same old man steals Bob's magical donkey, replacing it with a regular one.

Jack, the oldest son, is given a magical stick that defends him from unkind people.

Jack outsmarts the old man and retrieves his brothers' magical items.

The three brothers reunite and live happily with their mother, using their magical items for good.

The magical table is a symbol of sustenance and the power of kindness.

The magical donkey represents wealth and the potential for greed.

The magical stick embodies protection and the triumph of justice.

The old man's jealousy leads to the downfall of his own happiness.

The brothers' letters reveal the importance of communication and sharing experiences.

The village's laughter at the non-magical table highlights the fickleness of public opinion.

The story illustrates the consequences of envy and the value of brotherly love.

The magical items test the characters' integrity and reveal their true natures.

The story concludes with a celebration, showcasing the rewards of perseverance and unity.

Transcripts

once there was a woman with three sons

Tom Bob and

Jack Tom was the

youngest Bob came next and Jack was the

oldest they lived in a village they were

happy but their mother was very

poor so the boys looked for

work Tom worked for a kind man in the

next

town the man made tables and other

things from

wood Tom worked very hard for one

year when the year ended the kind man

gave him a

table it looked old and dirty

but it was a magic

table say to the

table I am

hungry then wonderful food will appear

on it by Magic said the man with a

smile you are very

kind said Tom to the

man and he

left he went from country to Country

and from City to city and he was always

happy he carried his table on his

back when he wanted food he put the

table down in the street by a river

under a

tree he said to the

table I am

hungry and lovely food

appeared some months later

he

thought I would like to see my mother

I'll go

home on the last night of his journey to

his mother's house he came to an old

house an old man lived

there can I stay the night here he asked

the old

man yes you can stay here but I can't

give you any food

said the old

man don't give me any food Tom said you

can eat with

me then he put down his table and

said I am

hungry wonderful food appeared and they

ate

it now this man was not a good man he

was a jealous

man I want this this boy's table he

thought it will give me food I can sell

the food to other people I will never be

hungry

again when Tom was asleep that night the

old man took the magic table from Tom's

room he worked all night and made a new

table it looked the same he put it next

to Tom's

bed the next morning Tom put the new

table on his back and he walked to his

mother's

house Tom's mother was very happy when

she saw her youngest

son what did you do when you were away

she

asked I made tables said Tom And I have

a table here

it's not a very nice table said his

mother but it's a magic table answered

Tom when I say to it I am

hungry beautiful food appears on

it show me said his

mother let's invite our friends from the

village then everybody can see the magic

said Tom

Tom's mother invited everybody from the

village Tom put his table down in front

of them and

said I am

hungry but nothing

happened no wonderful food appeared on

the

table everybody laughed and went

away Tom was very

angry he knew now the old man had his

magic

table Tom was very

unhappy he ran away from home and went

back to his old

job he wrote to his brother

Jack his letter told the story of the

magic table and the jealous old

man Bob the second brother worked with a

friendly man in a village many kilm

away Bob worked very hard for one

year when the year ended the man gave

Bob a

donkey you can't sit on this donkey the

man said but it is a good

donkey it's very

small why is it a good donkey asked

Bob because it's a magic donkey answered

the

man put a box under its mouth say the

magic word Brickle bat and gold will

suddenly fall from its

mouth catch the gold in the Box you will

never be

poor you are very kind Bob said to the

man Bob went from country to Country and

from City to city and he was always

happy he took the donkey with

him he bought the most expensive clothes

and ate the most wonderful food he

stayed in the best

houses when he wanted more money he said

Brickle bat to the

donkey some months later Bob

thought I would like to see my mother

I'll go

home on the last night of his journey he

came to the old house the jealous old

man was

there can I stay the night here he

asked yes you can stay here but I want

money for your food and your

bed money cried Bob you can have a lot

of

money Bob ate lovely food at Tom's

table the old man asked for some

money Bob put his hand in his coat but

there was nothing in

it wait said Bob I'll get

some he took a box and went outside to

the

donkey the old man followed him to the

door he stood behind the door and Bob

did not see

him where is his money the old man

thought I'll watch him when he's asleep

I'll take his

money Bob put the box under the donkey's

mouth he said the magic word the gold

fell into the box the old man's mouth

opened WI wider and

wider I want that donkey he

thought later that night when Bob was

asleep the old man went

outside he found another donkey and put

it in the place of the magic

donkey the next morning Bob took the new

donkey and walked to his mother's

house Bob's mother was very happy when

she saw her

son what did you do when you were away

she

asked I worked for a man said Bob and he

gave me this

donkey it's a very small donkey said his

mother is it

strong no answered Bob but it's a magic

donkey when I say the magic word gold

Falls from it mouth call your friends

let's show

them everybody came from the

village now watch this said Bob Brickle

bat everybody looked at the

donkey the donkey looked at them nothing

happened no gold fell from its

mouth everybody laughed and Bob was very

angry

he knew now the old man had his magic

donkey he ran away from home and went

back to his old job he wrote to his

brother Jack his letter told the story

of the magic donkey and the jealous old

man Jack worked with a wood cutter he

worked very hard for one

year when the year here ended the wood

cutter gave Jack a beautiful

box there was a stick inside

it thank you for the beautiful box said

Jack but I don't want the stick I'll put

something prettier than a stick in this

lovely

box it's a magic stick said the wood

cutter when somebody is unkind to you

the stick will help you

you say stick out of the

box the stick will jump out of the box

and it will hit them when you say stick

back in the box it will stop hitting

them Jack took the box and started his

journey home on the last night of his

journey he came to the old house the

jealous old man was there

he gave Jack some

food then Jack told him about his

journey do you know said Jack that there

is a magic table you say I am hungry to

the table then wonderful food appears on

it and there is a magic donkey you say

Brickle bat to it and gold Falls from

its mouth

but I have something better than the

magic table or the magic donkey in this

box nothing in the world is as good as

this what is it thought the jealous old

man I want

it when Jack went to bed he put the Box

on the floor he shut his

eyes after some time the old man came in

to Jack's room he looked at

Jack quietly he put his hand on the box

suddenly Jack jumped out of bed stick

out of the box he cried the stick hit

the jealous old man on his head and arms

and back the old man wanted to run away

but he

couldn't give me the magic table and the

magic donkey then I will put the stick

back in the Box said Jack yes yes cried

the old man you can have them stop the

stick stop the

stick the next day Jack took the table

the donkey and the stick and he walked

to his mother's house Jack's mother was

very happy when she saw her

son what did you do when you were away

she asked

I worked with a wood cutter said Jack he

gave me this

stick a stick cried his mother angrily

why did he give you a stick you can get

a stick from every tree in the

world yes said

Jack but this is a magic

stick when somebody is unkind to me I

say stick out of the box it jumps out of

the box and hits them it only stops when

I say stick back in the

Box my brothers had a magic table and a

magic donkey a jealous old man took them

with this stick I got them back

again Jack's mother was very happy she

wrote to Tom and Bob and told them the

story they came home she invited

everybody from the village to their

house everybody sat round the magic

table and ate wonderful

food everybody took home a bag of gold

from the magic donkey's

mouth from that day the old woman and

her three sons lived very

happily for