3.3.2: Year 3 American English Lessons with Maestro Sersea

Hello students. I’m proud of you for completing years 1 and 2 of our American English course.  In order for you to become a strong intermediate American English learner, you need to be able to read, understand, and discuss abridged American English short stories.  In this lesson, throughout Year 3 of your studies, you will read, listen to, and write about popular American English short stories. Please follow the directions below closely.

  • Study the American English vocabulary below.

Words in This Story

ransom – n. money that is paid in order to free someone who has been captured or kidnapped

carriage – n. a large vehicle with four wheels that is pulled by a horse and that carries people

paleface – n. a name supposedly used by North American Indians for a white person.

sling – n. a strap usually with a pocket in the middle that is used to throw something (such as a stone)

funning – v. joking or teasing someone

  • Listen to the story.

  • Watch the video and read along.

  • Take the short story quiz.

Take the quiz: https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/the-ransom-of-red-chief-by-o-henry/3106038/p1.html?isEmbedded=True

8 thoughts on “3.3.2: Year 3 American English Lessons with Maestro Sersea

  1. Lesson 3.3.2 Year 3
    Summary of ” Ransom of Red Chief Henry.”
    The has ten years old boy called Johnny, son of a rich man and two kidnappers named Bill and Sam.Kidnappers want quick money, so they selected the son of a rich and well known of the town, named Ebenezer Dorset.They think Mr. Dorset can two thousand dollars as a ransom for the relief of his son. They catch their victom,Johnny from the street. Johnny calls himself ” Red chief ” due to his red hair and red hair are associated with wild behavior. He plays pranks on Bill. He is a troublemaker and keeps bothering them. Read more….

  2. Kidnappers now want to get rid of him and reduce the ransom money, but johnny does not want to go back his home . Kidnappers get back the answer of their note from Ebenze Dorset, the note says the ransom they demand is too high, he proposes to take two hundred and fifty dollars to take johnny back. Bill insists and accepting the proposal, so they go down to the town to get johnny back. when he gets to know to leave, he clings to bill’s legs, but his father pulls him away. both the kidnappers run as quick as they could.
    the moral of the story is that one should never underestimate the power of one’s opponent…

  3. missing words of the summary are the following.
    story, a, man and pay.
    The name of a proper noun should start with capital letter. ”bill” is wrong, it is” Bill”

  4. Greetings Maestro Sersea
    The Ransom of Red Chief
    By O. Henry
    On the way to Summit, a place as plain as a pancake, Bill Driscoll and Sam were struck by the idea of kidnapping someone with the end to do a deal over illegal lands, and they only had $600. They chose the son of an influential and wealthy man, old Ebenezer Dorset, with a 10-year-old son Johnny, he had red hair. Sam and Bill decided to lead the Red Chief to a mountain where they had all their supplies stored in an opening to a cave. They thought that Red Chief was a boy that all parents wanted to have in their home, but he was an imp, and he did them all sorts of atrocities. The first time Red Chief hit Bill with a piece of rock, the second time he jumped over his chest to try to scalp him with a sharp knife. Sam decided to send a note to Mr. Ebenezer Dorset and asked him for $1,500 in ransom by his son. In response to the note, Mr. Dorset made them a counter proposal, demanding them to return the boy and asking them to put on his hand $ 250, Sam and Bill accepted; after all they had already suffered enough with the boy, and then, that they paid it to Mr. Dorset, immediately got out of town toward Canada.
    Thank you so much

  5. The Ransom of Red Chief by O. Henry
    The two men named Bill and Sam planned to be kidnapping for a child because they had about $600 instead of needing two thousand dollars more for an illegal land deal in illinois. They chose for their victim ,the only child of an influential citizen named Ebenezer Dorset. He was a boy of ten with red hair. They thought that Ebenezer would pay a ransom of $ 2000 to get his boy back. One night, they took the boy up to the cave. The boy doesn’t like being at home so he asked them if they wouldn’t take him back home again because he do not have fan at home. He hate to go to school and he like to camp out. The kidnappers mailed the letter to Ebenezer.The letter said that they had his boy hidden in a place far from summit. They demanded $1,500 for his return. Ebenezer replied their letter about the ransom that he thought they were a little high in their demand. So he made them a counter proposal. They brought Jonny home and pay him $250 and he agree to take his son off their hand. Bill and Sam thought mister Dorset was making them a good offer because one more night of the boy will drive them crazy . Because the boy was attempting to cut off the top of Bill’ head and Bill never closed an eye again in sleep as long as that boy was with us.This little lamb has got on their nerves. They took him home that night and they telling him that his father had bought him a gum and they were going to hunt bears the next day. At twelve o clock, they knocked on Ebenezer’ front door. Bill counted out $250 into Dorset’ hand. When the boy learned they were planning to leave him at home, he started to cry loudly and held himself as tight as he could to Bill’ leg. His father pulled him away slowly. The kidnapper run away at the end of story because they are afraid of the boy.

  6. Dear teacher,
    The title of story is “ The Ransom of Red Chief” by O. Henry.
    Ebenezer Dorset’s son was arrested. Kidnapper thought that Ebenezer would pay a ransom of $2,000 to get his boy back. They took a boy up to the cave and then Red chief said to the boy “ would you like to go home?”
    He replied that I don’t want to back home because of I hate to go to school, so he seems not fear. Red chief’s team send a latter to boy’s parents “ we have your boy hidden in a place far from Summit. We demanded $1,500 for his return; If you fail to agree to us, you will never see your boy again. If you pay money as our demanded he will be returned to you safe and well in 3 hours later.
    Ebenezer replied massage to Red chief – I received your letter about the ransom you ask for the return of my son. I think you are a little high in your demands. You bring Johnny home and pay me $250 then I agree to take him off of hands. The neighbors are finding my son and what will they do to anyone they saw bringing him back. Red Chief agreed, we will take him home, pay the ransom and make our get away. Ebenezer Dorset agreed to get money and let Red Chief team ran a way as what he promised.
    Thank you.
    I am Singuon NGON from Cambodia.

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