872. The Birthday Party (Learn English with a Short Story)

Learn English with another short story. This time it's a 300-word story by Katherine Brush, often used in literature classes, full of vivid imagery and with an emotional twist. I read the story to you, and then go through each line, explaining vocabulary and grammar.
👉 Episode page with story text and vocabulary notes teacherluke.co.uk/2024/03/11/...
👉 LEP Premium www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium...

[@LukesEnglishPodcast]

Hello! It's interesting to read the different interpretations you have of this story. 💔❤ I assumed that the wife is the victim here, but some of you have a different perspective. What did he say to her? After at least 10 years of marriage, wouldn't she know that he doesn't like surprises like this? What is the significance of the pink candle? In any case, it is a sad story and we just want them to be happy together!

[@NicaVero_]

They should go to couples therapy🙂

[@Yegane.F]

I think that not all people like to be surprised, especially introverted individuals. They often dislike being the center of attention. The husband appears to be introverted and is upset that his wife didn't realize this after spending these years together as a couple! By the way, once I was people- watching, and some guys misunderstood me and sent me a kiss in the air, which embarrassed me!

[@olenamazur2548]

I guess every couple should go to the therapist 😅

[@NicaVero_]

@@olenamazur2548 Probably, except Luke, I'd rather see him as the therapist😉

[@olenamazur2548]

@@NicaVero_ that's true .He seems peaceful and balanced. 🤗

[@bernadettebernard8200]

You're a really great teacher and I like to study with your short stories. It's a real pleasure. Thank you!

[@faboc]

Thank you and happy Easter for all Catholics in World

[@cartorioimoveis9317]

Luke, You’re a great teacher. I wish the best for You.

[@abe-brown]

Excellent story! Also, Ramadan Mubarak to all Muslims who are watching this show...

[@mohamedsuudi4631]

Ramadan Mubarik Sir.

[@user-ut6yv6sk3m]

​@@mohamedsuudi4631oh shit... These Muslims are everywhere... 🤦🤦🫣🫣

[@user-Tutorial-coach41]

Happy Ramadan for all Muslims are used to watching this show ....Ramadan Mubarak

[@bettercallmrx]

🤍🤍

[@khaled_ahmed998]

❤❤❤

[@benelmouazkhaled1970]

Thank you

[@gulsezimmussabayeva6684]

🤲🤲🤲 Amin

[@makmak7552]

Ramadan sucks like you

[@ninanajah976]

Thank you very much, Luke, for your interesting podcast. I enjoy all your episodes, but I particularly prefer the short stories. Please prepare more episodes of short stories.

[@user-ps7ng4vw8b]

Luke, thank You so much for this episode! Brilliant work! You're not only taught us the vocabulary, but also had provided a good lesson of fine literature and life itself.

[@valeriigoikhman1650]

Thank you very much, Luke! Your work is important

[@MayraHernandez-ns2hm]

This is my first time that I listened your podcast, and I realized that was a great work. Thank you very much from El Salvador

[@user-by4up5rg3m]

Unmistakably you are a good British teacher thank you for your nice short story

[@xxxxneoxxxx]

This story was heartbreaking. Also, you can really relate because all of us have either seen or probably even experienced something like this. Apart from good listening practice, it's a great writing model, too!

[@user-nt5xb7oq7b]

By the way thanks a bunch for being as good teacher as you are . I like listening to you as frequent as I can and it has always been really helpful!

[@afroozm9413]

Thank you Luke for trying to teaching. I like your way of teaching.

[@smrithy3912]

Though the story is simple and brief, it is very sentimental and thought provoking, what i feel is the couple lacks mutual understanding and love which is inevitable for a warm relationship... Thanks a lot Mr. Luke the great teacher❤❤ wishes from God's own country...

[@comeasyplz479]

Thank you for this lesson which includes the nice short(important :)) story with the tender and insightful guide of you , and moreover you can help us talk and think about their feelings in ENGLISH. -a lady From Korea.

[@pepejuan6897]

I LOVE WHEN YOU TELL SHORT STORIES, these are my favourite videos. Thanks you for everything.

[@haibinh_nguyen]

Thank, teacher Luke, for helping me learn English better and easier. Your videos are very helpful, especially for beginners like me. Please try to make more similar videos. Thanks a lot🥰🥰

[@Akrij666]

Hello Luke, I’ve been listening your podcast over month now and my english is getting better each day. I wish you all the best - you deserve it! Just keep doing what you’ve been doing. You’ve got the power to make other people feel happy! Thanks a lot.

[@maxiivgg]

Yes, I don't know why, but I'm felling like you.

[@rosalindasoler3958]

Hola, estoy aprendiendo el ingles americano, confirmame si ese acepto es britanico? ó no importa?

[@yoosefi12]

One of those lovely, relaxing and perfect episodes, you would listen to more than once ❤

[@deborahqin3900]

read it with you, really can get the great of how this short story delivered. The loneliness, hopelessness in marriage is expressed unmistakably without even a single word to say it

[@microetattoopormairaadabo7716]

I am not used to listen british english! But I just loved to hear your class, your english. And I am very happy that I understood everything! Thankyou Maíra from Brazil 🇧🇷

[@gracielalilianazara4333]

Thanks, teacher Luke. The story itself is plenty of adjectives, adverbs and phrases to describe personality, feelings and human condition despite it is sad too because of the husband reaction. Very useful, indeed! Have a nice week!

[@user-pq6ic1fm8q]

As for the end of this story it is obviously clear that this couple has been suffering for many years(((nothing will change till the moment one of them will split up such a sad marriage...unfortunately it's a reality,and while they are together they don't have a chance to be satisfied ,calm and happy.....

[@gracielalilianazara4333]

Who knows? It was only a moment of their lives....I do not like watching people while they are sitting at a restaurant having dinner at all. It Is their private lives. I wish them love AND peace!

[@user-mx8de4zg9j]

You are a unmistakably great teacher

[@abdulmajiidahmed2058]

Thank you, teacher Luke. The lesson that i learnt from this emotional story is to know the person you're with. I mean, their behaviours before they beat you with their arrogant.

[@aidasokhansanj6533]

Excellent as always ✨ With your brilliant accent and wonderful explanations 👉we visualized all the characters and scenes !!! 👉you are an amazing English teacher ✨📚💯🎧🎤🎼👏

[@barbaragala1015]

Thank you Luke for another episode. I love listening to you, it means a lot to me. I repeat your comments, this is how I learn phrases and words😊 Cool ! Barbara

[@shivin90s]

Dear Luke , you are reading stories to us the way you speak as a native . This is what people want . Read with stories. When you read I can imitate your text along with you .Millions out there expecting you to read out with text .

[@oksanatym2984]

Luke, thanks a lot for this story and your deep rereading of it! This almost forgotten feeling of diving into lines and internal conversation with the writer!

[@leewu4961]

Teacher Luke! Thank you for your teaching intensive reading comprehension!!!!

[@aleksandrdanilov4889]

Hello, Luke! Thank you very much for your videos and podcasts! Episodes about real life thought-provoking stories like this are so compelling!

[@getpaceai]

Thank you for the great lesson, and for editing the video with text on the screen, Luke! For anyone getting ready for the IELTS writing test, this lesson has a lot of great descriptive vocabulary words for you to learn!

[@pathopewell1814]

These comments sum up the purpose of reading a passage of a story. As readers we all rewrite our own version of events as described by the characters. This for me personally is the beauty of reading.

[@elhamfonooni7346]

Thanks teacher Luke i hope that you know how much you have wonderful impact on all my learning English and make another joyful day god bless you

[@kamalahasanmoorthy2066]

"*God Bless Everyone Take Care All Long Lives 100 years and above all*"

[@joaovictorgaldino7423]

This video was suggested to me by KZbin and I am grateful for this. I'm trying to reach the fluency by myself, and the way you teach gave me courage to study again. A huge hug from Brazil.

[@user-rf6kt2er8e]

Great story and great speaker. Your videos are so clean and understand to me, thank you.

[@francescochiaromonte2654]

Hi Teacher Luke, I always really enjoy your episodes because they are so attractive as well as your way to analyse them. My heartiest congratulations and kudos on your amazing performances and your professional skills.

[@user-rd3zg5co9w]

Тhanks Luke!I decide to listen short stories for the first time.I like your explaining of words .

[@hiennguyen2992]

Be excited in the way you interpret the story! Thank you so much!

[@MHZ-gc2bw]

Yes Luke is a great teacher!

[@KonstantinEgorovSpb]

Awesome work! It made me think it could be turned into a nice class activity) Sort of " finish-the-story" or "what-do-you-think-might-have-happened". Thanks a lot, Luke!

[@aigulzhakupova3064]

Great delivery, thank you so much!

[@marjetapeterlin]

This is a masterpiece of a short story and what it makes it really sad is your wonderful explanation of line to lline.There are things I would not think of myself but completely agree with you. I really sympafised with the woman and felt sorry for her.Catherine Brush has an exquisite sense of observation catchi g the hidden meanings in people ' s behaviours. Thank you for this story and your comments.

[@svitlanaradzevych1153]

The story really touched my heart. It’s about English couple in an enough old time, but such things may happen and happens everywhere. But thank you, Luke, for the nice lesson!

[@azucenagranowski683]

I love your stories and more importantly the way you explain them to us. Thank you

[@MHZ-gc2bw]

Your are so right!

[@Rita-bw3wh]

Hi Luke, a short, good story. A snapshot of the feelings in a relationship. Well explained by you and good for reading and practising speaking.Thanks for that.

[@ibraheemal-ibraheem9204]

You are amazing Mr. Luke's

[@user-tp1hq3qt5s]

Thank you you are great teacher

[@wilczycawrazliwa163]

As always good job Luke. Your podcasts really help me in English. I listen to you every day and I feel the diffference in understanding and speaking skills. Thank you very much for your work. 😊

[@olgafainchtein581]

I really enjoyed it, not only as a lesson, but as literary experience. It makes may day. Thank you.

[@lukwagomathias9578]

Quite informative story. Polished my English. Thanks 🙏

[@ilyesferhati8582]

your stories have given me the ability to gain more vocabulary. I become more fluent. I appreciate your dedication. keep going 💪

[@tahleeltoufique96]

I love the way you tell story is just amazing!!

[@user-qh8vn2hu1f]

Luke, thank you very much. What a great idea to read, retell and explain interesting stories like this one.

[@maryamrezaei3813]

Hi thank you so so much l love your padcast and your explain 🙏🙏🙏

[@sisimin2529]

Thanks so much for sharing the best way to explain vocab & meaning 🙏Really amazing learning experience

[@alexeikoreshkov5751]

Thank you for really sensitive story.

[@doinabanu9860]

I think this moment 47:28 at the restaurant concentrates the whole life as a wife of that woman. It was a life made up of numerous disappointments and delicate fillings that only met rudeness and indifference . In my opinion this is the motif of her fainted prettiness, the life with a self-satisfied and gross man. I imagine her eyes being often brimmed with tears. Thank you so much for reading and explaining this short story.

[@anzgabriel]

Such a sensitive and rich performance Luke. Thanks a lot!

[@amanbenson1329]

A very sad story explained beautifully line by line.

[@ruthpatriciarodriguez3620]

Thank you for you effort to explain the use of many words

[@ygkenglishpedagogy7588]

Excellent analysis of the theme and the vocab

[@carolaxis]

I love it ! I love the story, the way your read it, and the analyse. It's all perfect. At the same time it was a pretty nice way to reinforce my English. The story is really touching. I want to know a bit more about this author. I often do the same when I go to a restaurant, I can't avoid imagining other's lives. And for the woman who cried so lonely so sad...oh what a sad and beautiful story. Thanks a lot.

[@zeinabrezaee3911]

Thanks Luke. Thanks for all you do. And, Happy Ramadan 🎉🎉🎉

[@user-gd5pj1ux2t]

Thanks so much for the story and the best explanation ever. ❤ so much useful information and phrases to use!

[@EnglishStoryShared]

Thanks a lot, Luke, for your captivating podcast. I thoroughly enjoy every episode you release. 0:00: 🎉 A short story about a birthday party with a twist. 5:52: 💔 A heartbreaking story of a couple at a birthday party, revealing their strained relationship through subtle interactions. 10:59: 💔 Heartbreak and hidden unhappiness in a seemingly glamorous marriage. 17:06: 👫 Insight into a couple's relationship dynamics based on unmistakable behavior indicating marriage. 21:25: 💔 Fading beauty and sadness in a relationship affecting a woman's appearance. 26:58: 🎂 Embarrassment over a simple birthday cake reflects the husband's arrogance and lack of appreciation. 32:21: 📖 Revelation of the wife needing help discreetly, husband's embarrassment highlighted through language use. 37:37: 💔 Difficulty facing a distressing situation, leading to avoiding eye contact and waiting in discomfort. 43:14: 🎩 A woman in a carefree and happy mood cries under the big brim of her hat at a party.

[@florianomazini1464]

Luke, You’re a amazing teacher. Thank you.

[@hassantaal7623]

An excellent critical analysis of today's well-built story!!! Congratulations Mr Luke.

[@tevfikmutlu]

You are great man Luke, happy Ramadan for all Muslims

[@misaigon8897]

It's great of the way you explain. Thanks so much

[@Ali49446]

Happy ramadan today for all muslims in world thanks so much mr luke handsome 🎉❤

[@shots33365]

❤

[@AhmedMohammed-yg3cf]

❤❤❤

[@gatinhomiadordamadrugada2348]

🌈👀🙈🙉🙊🤔????

[@user-nq4vm9zy6d]

❤❤❤❤

[@IlhamAmir-hr6cm]

❤❤❤

[@TV-xr9jv]

감사합니다 Thank you^^

[@shymaali7019]

Thank you for your time and efforts

[@Mohammed-rz7iu]

I enjoy your reading... thx a lot

[@s.g.6710]

I love these stories. Thanks for your great work.

[@kundalini1953]

Thank you for this brilliant English lesson. I love this format of teaching.

[@nadiaalroubi6657]

Thank you so much for your excellent efforts.I enjoy the lesson 🎉

[@lixie1078]

Thank you very much ! Very helpful !

[@emmasanchez1420]

This short story is perfect for me! Thank you teacher !!!

[@yvsnbs]

Its beautiful and fascinating how we all have memories of people in our past who shared these love songs with us, and now the most fascinating thing is that others will also come after and remember us for the same music when we are long gone...this melodies are very contagious

[@roksanakowalska737]

Thank you for your help! Best regards from Poland! 🖐️

[@kaylee6335]

Dear Luke, I like you saying and explaining story very much. Thanks. ❤

[@francoiseponteville]

I appreciate a lot your short scories and also the way you interpratate the story

[@user-jl9jl8ip5w]

Your podcast is so cool! Thanks a lot!

[@gilmarfernandes2825]

I`d like to thank you for your interpretation and comments! Ir really let the story clearer! Hello from Brazil!

[@ausoniamarinuzzi9599]

Thank you, Luke. Your pronunciation made me remember of the best boss I had when working in a British company here in Brazil, in the late seventies. And I missed those days.

[@teyibamusa991]

Thank you so much This is my first time here Very interesting story

[@Virpal-zz2dm]

Thanks for your histories!

[@muneraomer8663]

Thank you so much!

[@copinthearea]

You are the best, Thank you so much! I am from Brazil.

[@user-cm5ie1iu9p]

oh good

[@DanielSouza-jx2gl]

What a spectacular and enjoyable way to learn English by listening to stories. The content was very enriching, and the vocabulary tips made a lot of sense in some instances, helping me understand the depth of word placements like 'hotly embarrassed' more thoroughly.

[@sebastiannoejovich3747]

Hi Luke, thank you very much for your last episode. Your reading was impeccable as usual, and all the comments were pertinent. Listening to you explaining not only the meaning but also the valour of the phrase “fadingly pretty” it occurred to me that literature shows us a wider use of language and let us see not only its practical utility in terms of communication but also its beauty (its increasingly beauty). Thank you again and cheerful greetings from Argentina! Sebastián (the regretful ninja)

[@roseouvidor4722]

I love your stories, the way you tell them, and particularly the amount of content you teach us . Thank you so much. Rose/RJ/Brazil

[@user-cz8tb8ty7y]

It’s a really very good story. There are just a few sentences but the story is so thought provoking. I’m impressed

[@lucettekittaviny1315]

Thank you Luke ❤this story is very very interesting ❤i love it so much ❤ May God bless you ❤❤❤❤❤

[@odalistejerina8213]

I think it's a very sad history, it's shows how heartless peopel be without thinking about the other's fillings.. Thank u Luke for the great explanation the new words... Greetings from Vienna

[@MHZ-gc2bw]

Ich schreibe jetzt in Deutsch - da ich ebenso Österreicherin bin. Es ist eine traurige Story, definitiv. Es zeigt eigentlich, dass beiden die Gefühle des Partners zu wenig wichtig sind: auch die Ehefrau scheint zu ignorieren, dass ihr Mann solche Überraschungen ablehnt! PS: Zuerst hatte ich nur die Gefühle der Frau im Fokus, dann las ich weitere Kommentare und sehe beide Seiten! Lg nach Wien aus NÖ!

[@alberta1634]

Thank you, Luca!❤❤❤

[@madsam75]

Its ashamed that I don’t have a time to see and hear all your stories.. from time to time i come across your stories and I enjoy it and learned alot… thank you alot ..

[@sorayachouchane444]

Thank sir for this amazing story ,for your great explanation , for enriching my vocabulary and making me pronounce words correctly. You are a great teacher .

[@simpisod]

thank you ❤️ your videos are so helpful!