a) Writing and acting out a dialogue
• Brainstorm possible ideas for how the story
might continue. Write them on the board.
• Allow Ss some time to write their dialogues.
• Ss pair up to read out their dialogues to the
class.
Suggested Answer Key
The Miller: Hans, my good friend. How was
the winter?
Hans: Ah, Hugh, it’s so good to see you. Winter
was freezing cold and I had to burn chairs to
keep warm.
The Miller: Never mind! Hardship is good for the
soul and too much furniture only gathers dust.
Hans: Some days I didn’t even have enough to
eat. And look - all I have today are these two
raw potatoes.
The Miller: Excellent! Just what I need to go
with the roast chicken my wife’s cooking for
lunch. Do you mind if I borrow them?
Hans: Er, no, but...
The Miller: We’re having a party tonight and
everyone in the village is invited. There’s
going to be food, drink and dancing. I’d invite
you but I know you only have those dirty rags
to wear. And it’d be very noisy.
Hans: Well, I wouldn’t mind ...
The Miller: Never mind. I’ll call round next
week and if you buy me lunch, I’ll tell you
about the party. Bye!
b) Listening to the next section
of the story
• Play the recording to the class. Ss say how it
compares to their versions.
(Ss’ own answers)
TAPESCRIPT
Miller: Good morning, little Hans.
Hans: Good morning.
Miller: And how have you been all winter?
Hans: Well, really, it is very good of you to ask, very
good indeed. I am afraid I had rather a hard time of it,
but now the spring has come, and I am quite happy, and
all my flowers are doing well.
Miller: We often talked of you during the winter, Hans,
and wondered how you were getting on.
Hans: That was kind of you. I was half afraid you had
forgotten me.
Miller: Hans, I am surprised at you. Friendship never
forgets. How lovely your primroses are looking, by the
way!
Hans: They are certainly very lovely, and it is a most
lucky thing for me that I have so many. I am going to
bring them into the market and sell them to the
Burgomaster’s daughter, and buy back my wheelbarrow
with the money.
Miller: Buy back your wheelbarrow? You don’t mean to
say you have sold it? What a very stupid thing to do!
