Teaching & Learning English
The Nerdy Gator Kid The myth of the tulpa comes From Tibetan Buddhism. It is a being or object made purely by strong thoughts and meditation. Stories say people who practice meditation can make tulpas so real that others can see and even touch them. Later, Western people who studied magic became interested in this idea, so they created … Read more
British folklore tells of the Black Dog, it is a big, ghostly black dog with glowing eyes. It shows up at crossroads, bridges, or lonely roads. What’s strange is that seeing it can mean different things: in some places, it’s a sign that someone might die, but in others, it’s a protective spirit that warns … Read more
In Hawaii, there’s a myth about the Night Marchers. They’re the spirits of ancient warriors who march along roads and beaches at night. Local people say you should never look at them or block their path. Instead, lie face down on the ground and pretend to be dead until they pass by, because the Night … Read more
Loki is a Norse god who can transform into people and animals. Loki’s weirdest moment occurred when he made a bet with a giant who had been employed to build a protective wall for the gods. The giant was offered the goddess Freya if he could complete the wall on time. However, the giant used … Read more
Betty Botter bought some butter, but she said this butter’s bitter. If I put it in my batter, it will make my batter bitter. But a bit of better butter will make my batter better. So ’twas better Betty Botter bought a bit of better butter How much caramel can a canny cannonball cram in … Read more
The lights were bright, the questions hard, Four teams were playing in the yard Of Jeopardy! with buzzers tight, All trying hard to get things right. But points went down, not up, it’s true, The scores were negative and blue. One team sank to minus five-hundred deep, A score that made the viewers weep. Another … Read more
The 67th Move The air in the maximum-security prison, known colloquially as “The Stone Maw,” was perpetually thick, a stew of damp concrete, stale sweat, and the acrid, lemony sting of industrial-grade disinfectant that never quite masked the deeper, more organic odors of despair. It clung to the skin, a second, grimy uniform. High above, … Read more
1. The First Morning The backpack bulges, much too large, A new, stiff shoe untied. A wave that builds, a looming charge, With parents at your side. The doorway is a giant’s mouth, The hallway, a long mile. You navigate your way due south, And try hard not to smile. Until you see, upon the … Read more
When morning tiptoes, soft and gray, And night begins to flee, The silent dewdrops learn to play Upon the waking tree. The sun, a painter, dips his brush In gold and rose and flame, To color forth the thrush’s thrush And whisper every name— The name of every leaf unfurled, Of every blade of grass, … Read more
