Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and do the exercises.
Preparation
Sam squinted against the sun at the distant dust trail raked up by the car on its way up to the Big House. The horses kicked and flicked their tails at flies, not caring about their owner's first visit in ten months. Sam waited. Mr Carter didn't come out here unless he had to, which was just fine by Sam. The more he kept out of his boss's way, the longer he'd have a job.
Carter came by later while Sam was chopping wood. Carter lifted his hat as if he were waiting for an appointment with the town priest, and then removed it completely as if he were talking to his mother. He pulled out a pile of paper from his back pocket and held it out.
'Don't pick up your mail often, do you?'
Sam took it without a glance and dropped the envelopes onto the bench.
'Never,' he replied and waited for Carter to say why he was here. The fact it was Carter's house was no explanation and they both knew it. Carter twisted his hat round and round, licking his lips and clearing his throat.
'Nice work fixing those fences,' he said finally.
'I'll be back to the beginning soon,' Sam said. It wasn't a complaint. A fence that took a year to repair meant another year's work to the man who did it well.
'Don't you ever want to take a holiday?'
'And go where?' A holiday meant being back out in the real world, a place even people like Carter travelled to escape from. Sam's escape was his reality and he wasn't going back.
Mr Carter wiped the sweat from the back of his neck. The damp patches on his shirt drew together like shapes in an atlas. His skin was already turning ruddy in the June sun. Otherwise he had the indoor tan of a man that made money while other people did the work.
'I've brought my son with me on this trip. He's had some trouble at school.' Mr Carter's eyes flicked up, blinked rapidly and then shifted back to the hat occupying his hands. 'Not much trouble out here for a young boy.' He attempted a laugh but it came out like a dog's bark.
The two men looked towards the northern end of the property. It stretched as far as the eye could see. Even the fences were barely visible from where they stood. However bored and rebellious a teenage boy might get, it wasn't possible to escape on foot. Sam looked at the biggest of the horses, kicking at the ground with its heavy hooves. Could the boy ride? he wondered. There was a whole load of trouble a good rider could get into out here, miles away from anyone. But maybe there was even more trouble for someone who knew nothing about horses and wanted to get away from his father.
Hi could I have the title of this short story and the author, please? Where can I find the whole story? Thanks!!
Hello sjginger,
The name of the short story is Over the Edge and the author's name is Nicola Prentis.
Best wishes,
Kirk
LearnEnglish team
In my opinion, the reason why Mr. Carter brings his son to his farm is that him wanting his son to learn to take responsibilities and develop a sense of discipline. We can clearly see that Sam is a man who does not escape from his reality and is quite hardworking. Ultimately, Mr. Carter's intention is his son getting away from trouble and considering Sam as his role model.
As my view point Mr Carter was nervous about his ‘son had trouble at school . He brought his so to the farm the intending of he would like his son to calm and humble.In conclusion I knew although Mr.Carter was rich he was feeling about his son of father ‘’s responsibly.
Why do you think Mr Carter has brought his son to the farm?
Mr Cater brought his son to the form as he has problems at the school. Mr. Cater explains to his son that the school problems are very light if you see Sam's problems because he does not do any holidays and makes a continuous effort. Mr. Cater wants his son will learn practical life examples from Sam and start struggling in his school for a better life.
According to this text, this rich man the only thing that he wants; is getting out of his responsabilities as a father.
Well, we can image that Mr Carter’s conduct is a way to help his son.
Living and working in a farm it’s not a quiet and simple job, in fact it’s based on a physical work: you must get up early in the morning and go to bed not very late, possibly your life is based on the sun cycle.
For these reasons, Mr Carter could consider the best solution for helping his son, that him stays at the farm and learns how working from Sam.
Mr Carter brought he's son to help him to calm down and keep him away of what influence him in the bad way.
Carter knows his son and how he acts to draw another person's attention, so he thought his son might get out of trouble if he does not have anyone to impress with his boy's mischief.He hopes.
"Why do you think Mr Carter has brought his son to the farm?"
I think it is because he wants to keep him away from trouble. I expect the boy to feel his father is too controlling when he needs freedom. That's why he rebels and makes trouble at school. But the father doesn't understand, and he thinks that keeping him away from people will do good for him.