English Stories

The Necklace

The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant The girl was one of those pretty and charming young creatures who sometimes are born, as if by a slip of fate, into a family of clerks. She had no dowry, no expectations, no way of be…

The Night Before Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house ,Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that Father Christmas soon would be there. The chi…

The Nightingale and the Rose

Oscar Wilde

“She said that she would dance with me if I brought her red roses,” cried the young Student; “but in all my garden there is no red rose.” From her nest in the holm-oak tree the Nightingale heard him, and she looked ou…

The Nightingale

Hans Christian Andersen

by H.C. Andersen IN China, you know, the emperor is a Chinese, and all those about him are Chinamen also. The story I am going to tell you happened a great many years ago, so it is well to hear it now before it is for…

The Old Man and His Son

An old man lived alone in Minnesota. He wanted to spade his potato garden, but it was very hard work. His only son, who would have helped him, was in prison and he couldn’t afford an attorney to get him out. The old m…

The Old Man of the Sea

W. W. Jacobs

“What I want you to do,” said Mr. George Wright, as he leaned towards the old sailor, “is to be an uncle to me.” “Aye, aye,” said the mystified Mr. Kemp, pausing with a mug of beer midway to his lips. “A rich uncle,” …