A Christmas full of Happiness Learn English through story level 2

chapter 1

christmas

it is night

and the fields near the village

are white with snow

the village is quiet

but not everybody is sleeping

eyes are watching the roads and the

fields near the village

because this is czechoslovakia

and the year is 1957.

across the fields

only half a kilometer away

is the austrian border

but the people of czechoslovakia

are not free to go to austria

the border guards watch day and night

and they carry guns

in a house in the village

a man and a woman are talking

the woman holds a six-month-old baby boy

in her arms

she is excited

but she is afraid too

tell me again

she says

did he get to austria all right last

night

yes he did

the man says

nobody saw him

nobody heard him

but last night was easy

because the sky was dark

tonight

it’s more difficult

look at that moon

but it’s christmas night

the woman says

and the guards are drinking in the guard

house yes

that’s true

says the man

but sometimes they come out and drive up

and down the road for a time

so you must be careful

and you must run fast

very fast

he looks at his watch

it’s time to go

the woman puts on a white coat

and a white hat

the baby wears a white coat too

and the woman carries him on her back

good

the man says

white is best when there’s snow

nobody can see you

now

are you ready

let’s go

they leave the house

and walk quickly out of the village

after a time they stop

and the man says

very quietly

okay

you see those trees

turn right there

and go 50 meters

when you come to the road

go across it quickly

and run down the hill through the trees

then you come to the river

turn left

and go 500 meters

the trees finish there

and you can walk through the river

easily

across two more fields and you’re in

austria

our friends are waiting for you in the

second field

go now

goodbye

and good luck

the woman begins to run

the baby on her back is sleeping

but now

he opens his eyes

and begins to cry

the woman is afraid

and runs more slowly

but the baby’s crying is loud in the

night

at the trees

the woman turns right

and soon she is at the road

she does not see the black car under the

trees

but the men in the car

see her

suddenly there is a noise in the night

the noise of guns

then it is quiet again

the woman’s body lies in the snow on the

road

now the only sound

is the crying of the baby

chapter 2

england

hey

jan

look at this

carol

said she had a letter in her hand

and took it across to her husband at the

breakfast table

it’s from the oxford orchestra

she said

they’re giving concerts in the czech

republic this christmas

they’re doing three concerts in prague

and they’re asking me to go

because they need a harpist

shall we go to prague for christmas

i can play with the orchestra

and you can come with us

when are the concerts

ask jan

i always have a lot of work in the weeks

before christmas

i must finish writing my new book then

jan taught czech at oxford university

and wrote books about languages

he was born in czechoslovakia

but came to england with his father when

he was very young

he met carol when she was one of his

students at university

the first concert

is on december the 20th

carol answered

are you free then

no

i’m sorry carol

jan said

but i can’t come before december the

24th

well

it doesn’t matter

you can come for the second concert

it’s on december the 25th

but what about my father

said jan

we can’t go away and leave him at

christmas time

he loves a family christmas with us

you know that

joseph flack

was 68 years old

and his eyes were bad

he couldn’t see very well

so he lived with carol and jan

joseph can come with us

carol said

he often talks about prague at christmas

he says it’s the most beautiful time of

the year there

because of all the snow on the old

buildings

i know

said jan

but he only talks about prague

he never wants to go there

every time we ask him to come with us

he says no

i don’t know why

but i think it’s because of my mother

when he thinks about prague

he remembers her

you know

sometimes he cries when he looks at his

photo of her

after all these years

just then the door opened

and jan’s father came slowly into the

room

good morning

he said

and sat down at the table

is there any coffee

it’s cold now

said carol

shall i make you some more

thank you my dear

he answered

you’re very good to me

carol went out for some coffee

jan looked at his father carefully

i must ask him now

he thought

while carol is out of the room

you’re very quiet young

said the old man

is something wrong

no

no

said yarn quickly

nothing’s wrong

it’s just

i want to ask you a question

but

it’s difficult

jan stopped

his father smiled

difficult

why is it difficult

are you afraid of an old man

of course not

said jan

but i am afraid of your answer

you see

carol wants to go very much

she loves playing her harp

but it’s christmas time and

stop

said joseph

what are you talking about

where does carol want to go at christmas

to prague

said jan

and i would like to go with her

we want you to come too

ah

said the old man

to prague

i understand now

the room was suddenly very quiet

jan drank his cold coffee

and waited

the old man took something out of his

pocket

it was a photograph of his dead wife

jan’s mother

he spoke very quietly

not to yarn

but to the photograph in his hand

perhaps now

before i die

just once

i can go back again

carol came back with some hot coffee

she looked at joseph

then at yarn

he’s thinking about prague

yarn said quietly

carol put the coffee on the table

and sat down

the hands on the clock slowly moved

through two long minutes

then the old man put the photograph back

in his pocket

all right

he said

let’s all go to prague for christmas

it’s beautiful there when it snows

i remember it so well

so very well

chapter three

the accident

the first rehearsal began at nine

o’clock

and finished at two o’clock

what a long morning

everyone said

i’m sorry

said the conductor

but we have very little time

the first concert is tomorrow night

and a lot of important people are coming

so we must play well

now

please go and eat

this afternoon is free

so you can go and look at this beautiful

city

tomorrow morning we begin again

at nine o’clock

please don’t be late

carol left the rehearsal room with alan

one of the first violinists

what are you going to do this afternoon

carol alan asked

i’m going to get a quick sandwich

and then i’m going shopping

carol said

my husband jan and his father are

arriving on sunday

monday is christmas day

and i haven’t got any presents for them

i must find something this afternoon

our only free afternoon

see you tomorrow then

said alan

and

good luck with the shopping

thanks

carol said

there are some wonderful shops in the

stare mesto

the old town

so i’m going down there

carol went into a lot of shops that

afternoon

in the end

she got a book for jan

and a picture for his father

when she left the old town

it was nearly dark

it was very cold

so she walked quickly through the

streets

back to her hotel

there were christmas trees in all the

shop windows

and the city looked beautiful

there was a lot of noise too

people

cars

taxis

buses

everybody’s doing their christmas

shopping

carol thought

suddenly

she saw a man across the street

it was yarn

why was he in prague so soon

yeah

she shouted across the street

but jan didn’t hear her he walked on

carol shouted again

very loudly

yarn

yarn

it’s me carol

a lot of people stopped this time

they all looked at her

the man stopped too

he turned

and looked at carol for a minute

but he didn’t smile

and he didn’t speak

it was a very long minute for carol

her husband’s eyes were cold

and carol began to feel afraid

then he moved

and began to walk away from carol

down a little street

carol did not understand it

but she knew one thing

she did not want to lose him

perhaps he didn’t see me very well

it’s so dark now

he’s going

where is he going

jan

come back

are you ill

she ran across the street

there was a sudden noise

and somebody shouted

two seconds later

carol lay in the snow

she ran right in front of me

the bus driver said later

i couldn’t stop

there was no time

carol’s face was white

and her eyes were closed

soon an ambulance came

and took her body away

was she alive

or dead

at nine o’clock the next morning

the conductor was ready to begin the

rehearsal

he opened his music

and the orchestra started to play

suddenly

his hand stopped moving

and the music stopped at once

harpist

the conductor shouted angrily

what’s the matter with you

are you sleeping

you begin to play here

excuse me mr rinaldi

said someone at the back of the room

the harpist is not here

everyone turned and looked at the harp

at the back of the orchestra

it was true

there was nobody in the harpist’s chair

well

where is she

asked the conductor

there was no answer

we can’t wait for her he said

we must have this rehearsal without her

where is alan

he can speak some check

alan stood up

can you go to the hotel

and look for her there

the conductor asked

then come back here at once

with or without her

alan left

half an hour later

he was back

she’s not at the hotel

he said

i spoke to two or three people in the

hotel

and they say that carol wasn’t there at

breakfast this morning

and they think

that she didn’t sleep in her room last

night

i don’t like this

said the conductor

carol is never late for rehearsals

and she knows that these concerts are

important for us

i think we must tell the police

shall i do it now

alan asked

yes

said the conductor

please go now

chapter four

nobody understands carol

carol slowly opened her eyes

her head hurt

she closed her eyes again

a man said something

what was it

carol

she heard

carol

can you hear me

i can hear you

carol said

but i don’t want to open my eyes

my head hurts

who are you

it’s me

giorgio rinaldi

the conductor of the orchestra

mr inaudible

carol opened her eyes again

her head didn’t hurt so much this time

what are you doing in my bedroom

she asked angrily

what’s happening

this isn’t your bedroom

said mr rinaldi

it’s a hospital in prague

you had an accident yesterday

can you remember anything about it

suddenly carol remembered everything

the old town

the christmas trees in the shop windows

christmas presents

yarn

yawn

she sat up

yan

where’s yarn she asked mr rinaldi

please mrs flack

said a woman quietly

don’t get excited

lie down again

carol turned her head

it hurt again

near the door of the room

she saw a woman in a white coat

a doctor

but i must see yarn

carol said

where is he

i must find him

i cut

oh dear

she put her hand to her head

who’s yarn

the doctor asked mr rinaldi quietly

her husband

he answered

he took carol’s hand

listen

your husband is coming

we told him about the accident

he’s on a plane from london now

on a plane

why he’s here in prague

i saw him in the street

near the old town

i called out to him

and he saw me

but he didn’t stop

he just walked away from me

please find him please

i must talk to him i must

the doctor moved nearer to the bed

jan is coming soon mrs black she said

please don’t get excited it’s not good

for you

now lie down again

and close your eyes

you must sleep

and i know you’re feeling very tired

carol lay down and closed her eyes

the doctor was right

she was tired

but why didn’t they listen

why didn’t they understand

jan was in prague

and she must find him

talk to him

the doctor looked at mr renaldi

and spoke very quietly

let’s leave her now please

she needs to sleep

you can come back later

mr rinaldi and the doctor left the room

they closed the door quietly

and then looked at carol through the

window in the door

she’s going to be all right

said the doctor

she just needs to sleep for a time

there’s nothing wrong with her

yes there is

said mr rinaldi

she thinks her husband is in prague

but i spoke to him on the telephone

three hours ago

and he was in oxford

i’m afraid she’s ill

very ill

listen

said the doctor

she had a bad hit on the head in the

accident

but she didn’t break anything

and her head is all right

we looked at it very carefully

she’s going to be okay

after a good sleep

but

all this talk about yarn her husband

said mr renaldi

what about that

yes

she’s confused about that it’s true

but she remembers her name

she knows you

and she understands that she’s in

hospital

all this is very good

now

what about you mr renaldi

it’s a difficult time for you too

because of your concerts

i understand that

but please go away now

eat something

have a sleep

then come back later this afternoon

you can’t do anything now

all right

said mr rinaldi

but he was not happy

poor carol

he thought

and my poor orchestra

how can i find another harpist before

tonight’s concert

chapter five

some visitors for carol

two hours later

a tall man arrived at the hospital

he asked to see the woman in yesterday’s

street accident

he didn’t know her name

the doctor came downstairs

who are you

she asked the man

my name

is parvel

i saw the accident

and i called the ambulance

is the woman all right

i just wanted to know that

i was afraid she was dead

the doctor smiled

would you like to see her

she’s much better now

yes please

answered pavel

then come with me

they went upstairs in the lift

and walked along to carol’s room

at the door they stopped

and looked in through the window

she’s sleeping

said the doctor

but she looks well said pavel

yesterday she looked so white

i was afraid for her

just then

carol opened her eyes

and saw a man through the window in her

door

she sat up

yarn

she shouted

jan

oh dear

the doctor said

not again

she hit her head in the accident

and she’s confused about some things

she thinks that you

are her husband from england

shall i go

asked pavel

perhaps it’s better

yes

answered the doctor

she went into carol’s room

and closed the door

parvel walked slowly back to the lift

then

the lift door opened

and a man ran out with some beautiful

red flowers in his arms

he looked at the numbers of the rooms

and then went quickly into carol’s room

he didn’t see pavel

but an older man came slowly out of the

lift next

he saw pavel

and stopped suddenly

pavel stopped too

i’m sorry

said the old man

my eyes aren’t very good

i

thought you see

you look

yes

i know

said pavel

i saw your friend

he’s not my friend

he’s my son

please tell me

what is your name

pavel brichter

the old man looked very afraid

his face went white

and his mouth opened and closed

but he said nothing

now pavel was afraid

you don’t look very well he said

would you like to sit down

and shall i call a doctor

there’s a doctor in this room here

please said the old man

my son

is in that room

please take me to him

pavel took the old man’s arm

in carol’s room yarn put the red flowers

on the bed

and took his wife’s hands

oh my love

are you all right

he said

i can’t understand it

why did you run in front of a bus

how did it happen

carol didn’t answer his questions

yarn

she looked up into his face

you are young

tell me that you’re yan

of course i’m yarn

what are you talking about

the doctor came up to the bed

wait a minute

she said

you told me that your name was

britta

are you mrs black’s husband

or not

just then

carol looked behind yarn

she saw parvel with yarn’s father

through the window of her door

her eyes got bigger and bigger

who

is that she said

yarn and the doctor turned and saw

parvel

my god

said yarn

i don’t know

the doctor looked back at yarn’s face

two men

but only one face

she said quietly

then yarn’s father opened the door of

carol’s room

and the two men came in

yarn stood up

he looked at his father

who is this man

he asked

his name

is pavel brichter

answered his

father please

bring me a chair and some water

i need to sit down

before i can answer your question

yarn got a chair for his father and the

doctor gave him some water

then

she left the room quietly

chapter six

who is pavel

the old man drank some water and looked

up

pavel he said

i must ask you to look at this photo

he put his hand in his pocket

and took out a photograph

of a young woman

do you know this woman

yes

said pavel

that’s a photo of my mother

lenka

she died when i was very young

but my grandmother had many photos of

her

and we often looked at them

did you live with your grandmother

when you were young

yes i did

but

how do you know all this

because

said joseph

lenka

was my wife

dad

what he’s saying

said jan

joseph looked at jan

my boy

don’t be angry with me

i didn’t tell you

many things about your mother

perhaps i was wrong

but i wanted to forget

not to forget your mother

only to forget that terrible night

in 1957

jan

this man parvel

is your twin brother

you can see that it’s true

look at your faces

marvel looked at tian

so

i have a brother

he said

my grandmother never told me that

jan smiled

and

my father

our father

never told me

about a twin brother

he turned to joseph

tad

why didn’t you tell me

it’s a long story

said the old man

it begins many years ago

when a young man went to prague

university

he was there for seven years

and in his last year

he met a beautiful young woman

his eyes turned to the photo

she was so beautiful

of course

the young man fell in love with her

and they got married in 1956

but things were difficult in prague then

people were not happy

and they were not free

lenka and i

and a lot of our friends

wanted to change things

but it was dangerous work

the russians knew about us

and they watched us all the time

then

you two boys were born on a wonderful

day in june

1957

but you went away

pavel said angrily

your wife died

and you left the country

you went away to england

and began a new life

you didn’t write

you didn’t telephone

you weren’t interested in me

your son

joseph’s face was very sad

he said

i thought you were dead

look

i must show you something

from behind the photo of his wife

he took out a letter

and gave it to pavel

the letter was old and yellow

pavel opened it

and began to read

the letter was in check

and it was his grandmother’s writing

i write to tell you joseph that your

wife is dead

on christmas night

the guards shot her

on the road at the border

she carried pavel your baby son

and my grandson

on her back

and the guards shot him too

your wife

and your son are dead

your

friends

came and told me yesterday

you have yarn

and a new life in england

and what do i have

nothing

you took one grandson away from me

and now my daughter

and little parvel are dead

because of you

don’t write to me

and don’t come back to prague

i never want to see you

or hear from you again

stannis lava

slowly

pavel put the letter down

i understand now

he said quietly

what a terrible letter

how could she do that to you

and to me

stanny’s lava loved her daughter very

much

joseph said sadly

she loved you too

and didn’t want to lose you

i see that now

but she never liked me

and after that letter

how could i go back to prague

you were dead

lenka was dead

he put his face in his hands

the room was very quiet

then pavel put his hand on his father’s

arm

stannis lava is dead now he said

you and i can begin again

he smiled

and learned to be father

and son

joseph’s face was wet with tears

he put his hand over pavel’s hand

and smiled back at him

but he could not speak

now there were tears in everybody’s eyes

after a minute or two

jan said

dad

i know it’s difficult for you

but

can you tell us about that christmas in

1957

how did it all happen i’d like to know

yes

said his father

you

and pavel

must know

he turned to pavel

but

what did stannislava tell you

very little

pavel said

she never wanted to talk about it

she told me that my mother died in

hospital

and you went away to england

that was all

i can understand that

said joseph

poorest on his lava

she lost her daughter

because of me

and she never liked our work for freedom

you see

she didn’t understand

she just wanted a quiet family life

christmas

1957

said yarn

yes

said

joseph in october and november of that

year

things got more and more dangerous for

lenka and me

our friends told us

leave before the russians get you

get away to austria

and then to england

we didn’t want to leave czechoslovakia

of course

it was our

home but we couldn’t stay

our friends helped us

and jan and i got across the border on

the day before christmas

december the

24th it was night

there was no moon

and we got to austria all right through

the fields and the snow

but the next night

december the 25th

said pavel

my grandmother told me the day

my mother died in a hospital bed in

prague she said

lenka

died in the snow

on the road at the border

joseph said

she was so near austria

so near us

with you pavel

on her back

the old man’s voice stopped

and again

he put his head in his hands

chapter 7

the music must come first

for some minutes

nobody in the room said anything

they looked at the old man in his chair

and they all thought about a snowy night

in 1957

then pavel turned to yarn

let’s forget

1957 for now

he said quietly

for me

this is a wonderful day

i have no family in prague

my grandmother died many years ago

but now

i have a brother

a father

he looked at carol in her bed and smiled

and

a sister

why did you come to the hospital to see

me

carol asked

you had an accident because of me

pavel said

i knew that

you called to me

and shouted

and then ran to me across the street

right in front of a bus

i didn’t understand why

but i wanted to know that you were all

right

young looked at carol too

and

are you all right my love

i’m sorry

i forgot about you

i’m feeling very well

carol said happily

now

i understand everything

so i feel much better

my husband is my husband again

and we have a new brother

oh

but there is one thing

she looked at her new brother

why is your name

pavel britta

and not parvel

the old man moved in his chair

her name was lenka

he said quietly

before she married me

yes

pavel said

he looked at carol

you see

my father didn’t want me

i thought

so i didn’t want my father’s name

and when i was older

i changed it

and took my mother’s name

he turned to his father

i was an angry young man then

but now

no

said joseph

don’t change it

it’s a very good name

and you are lenka’s son

suddenly the door opened

and mr rinaldi came in

carol

he said

the doctor says that you are better

is it true

you look wonderful

can you play in the concert tonight

you see

i can’t find another harpist

and without a harp the music

he saw everyone for the first time

and stopped

oh

i’m sorry

he said quickly

i see you have friends here

but you see

it’s important

it’s an important concert for my

orchestra and

he stopped again

why are you all laughing at me

jan stopped laughing first

mr rinaldi

he said

you are the right man for prague the

city of music

the music

must come first

carol

mr rinaldi began

carol turned to yarn

i feel very well now

and i’d like to play tonight

but i want all my family to come to the

concert

my husband my new brother

and their father

can you all come

please say yes

jan looked at his father

are you all right dad

or are you feeling tired now

shall we all go to mr rinaldi’s concert

free tickets of course for all carol’s

family

said mr rinaldi quickly

christmas music in prague again

joseph said slowly

and with my two

sons

wonderful

wonderful

he smiled happily at yarn and pavel

how can we say no

he asked

you