A few years later, on my way to college, my plane put down in Seattle. I had about half an hour or so between planes. Without thinking, I dialed my hometown operator and said, "Information, please."
I laughed. "So it's really still you," I said, "I wonder if you have any idea how much you meant to me during that time." I told her how often I had thought of her over the years and I asked if I could call her again. "Please do," she said, "Just ask for Sally."
grateful
As I grew into my teens, the memories of those childhood conversations never really left me. I appreciated now how patient, understanding, and kind she was to have spent her time on a little boy.
Information, please
Listening to the story Answering the questions Background Structure analysis Language points and vocabulary
Listen to the story and answer the questions below:
Miraculously, I heard the small, clear voice I knew so well, "Information." I hadn't planned on this but I heard myself saying, “Could you please tell me how to spell ‘grateful’?” There was a long pause. Then came the soft-spoken answer, "I guess your finger must have healed by now."
1) what is the job of the woman in the story? 2) why did the boy call the woman for the very first time? 3) why did the boy call the woman again when he grew up as a college student?
grateful
Circumstance V
Circumstance VI
The two repeated words: 1.How do you spell "grateful"? (could you tell me how to spell 'grateful'?) 2....there are other worlds to sing in.
Even the smallest kindness can leave a lifelong impression. No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." The best portion of a good man's life are his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love. The little kindnesses, the little acts of gentleness, compassion, and love that we extend to others in the course of each day are somehow the most important things we do.
“Information” in this story means the public service offered by the government in the USA When you need to know, When you want to know, You have right to know, Ask "information"
How many times did the boy call the operator in this story? Are there any words repeated?
Circumstance I
Circumstance II
Circumstance III
Circumstance IV
Why does the story touch us? What is the point of the writer by telling us such a story?
"Never underestimate the impression you may make on others" and remember how much difference one person can make in someone's life. In such a busy and cold world a telephone operator took time out to comfort a lonely child by helping him treat his injuries, assisting him with his homework, and offering him advice.
“Then chip off a little piece of ice and hold it to your finger.” After that, I called “Information, please” for everything. I asked her for help with my geography or with my math.
Quickly, I unhooked the receiver and held it to my ear. “Information, Please,” I said into the mouthpiece . After a click or two, a small clear voice spoke into my ear. “Information.” “I hurt my finger…” I wept loudly. The tears came readily enough, now that I had an audience.
She must have sensed my deep concern, for she said quietly, "Paul, always remember that there are other worlds to sing in." Somehow I felt better.
Another day I was on the telephone, “How do you spell ‘grateful’? " All this took place in a small town in the Pacific Northwest. When I was 9, we moved to Boston.
“Isn’t your mother home?” “Nobody’s home but me,” I cried. “Are you bleeding?” “No, I hit my finger with the hammer and it hurts hurts.” “Can you open your icebox?” she asked. I said I could.
When my pet canary died. I told "Information Please" the sad story. She tried to soothe me. But, I was not consoled. I asked her, "Why is it that birds should sing so beautifully and bring joy to all families, only to end up as a heap of feathers on the bottom of a cage?"
why did the boy call the woman again when he grew up as a college student? He couldn’t forget her kindness.
"Information, Please" by Paul Villiard was first published in 1966 in Reader's Digest, a magazine known for offering heartwarming stories in each issue.
My first Personal experience with this person came one day while my mother was out. Amusing myself at the tool bench, I hit my finger with a hammer. The pain was terrible, but there was no one home to give me any sympathy. I walked around the house sucking my pounding finger, finally arriving at the telephone.