2021-12-31 The Story of an Eyewitness by Jack London
The western American city of San Francisco, California suffered a huge earthquake on April 18th, 1906. More than three thousand people are known to have died. The true number of…
2021-12-24 ‘The Gift of the Magi,’ by O. Henry
Editor’s Note: We are pleased to share a traditional holiday story with you, ‘The Gift of the Magi’ by O. Henry. Karen Leggett adapted this story for VOA Learning English.…
2021-12-17 ‘Transients in Arcadia’ by O. Henry
We present the short story “Transients in Arcadia,” by O. Henry. The story was originally adapted and recorded by the U.S. Department of State. There is a certain hotel on…
2021-12-10 ‘Benito Cereno,’ by Herman Melville, Part Three
We present the last of three parts of the short story “Benito Cereno.” It was written by Herman Melville. As we told you in earlier parts of our story, rebel…
2021-12-03 ‘Benito Cereno,’ by Herman Melville, Part Two
We present the second of three parts of the short story “Benito Cereno.” It was written by Herman Melville. Last week, we told how African slaves on a Spanish ship…
2021-11-26 ‘Benito Cereno,’ by Herman Melville, Part One
We present the first of three parts of the short story “Benito Cereno.” It was written by Herman Melville. Here is Shep O’Neal with the story. Captain Benito Cereno hurried…
2021-11-19 ‘Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen,’ by O. Henry
We present the short story “Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen,” by O. Henry. The story was originally adapted and recorded by the U.S. Department of State. There is one day that…
2021-11-12 ‘Pecos Bill,’ An American Folk Tale
Today we tell a traditional American story called a “tall tale.” A tall tale is a story about a person who is larger than life. The descriptions in the story…
2021-11-05 ‘Athenaise’ by Kate Chopin
Our story today is called “Athenaise.” It was written by Kate Chopin. Here is Barbara Klein with the story. Athenaise went away one morning to visit her parents, ten miles…
2021-10-29 ‘The Caliph, Cupid and the Clock,’ by O. Henry
We present the short story “The Caliph, Cupid and the Clock” by O. Henry. The story was originally adapted and recorded by the U.S. Department of State. Prince Michael of…
2021-10-22 ‘Paul Bunyan,’ An American Folk Tale
Today we tell a traditional American story called a “tall tale.” A tall tale is a story about a person who is larger than life. The descriptions in the story…
2021-10-15 Doctor Heidegger’s Experiment by Nathaniel Hawthorne
We present the short story “Doctor Heidegger’s Experiment” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Here is Barbara Klein with the story. That very unusual man, old Doctor Heidegger, once invited four friends to…
2021-10-08 ‘The Return of a Private’ by Hamlin Garland
Our story today is called, “The Return of a Private. ” It was written by Hamlin Garland. Here is Harry Monroe with our story. The soldiers cheered as the train…
2021-10-01 ‘Hearts and Crosses,’ by O. Henry, Part Two
We present Part Two of the short story “Hearts and Crosses,” by O. Henry. The story was originally adapted and recorded by the U.S. Department of State. One day, a…
2021-09-24 ‘Hearts and Crosses,’ by O. Henry, Part One
We present part one of the short story “Hearts and Crosses,” by O. Henry. The story was originally adapted and recorded by the U.S. Department of State. Baldy woods reached…