3. Uk Elections ♫

Next month the people of the United Kingdom will be voting in a general election, and shortly the seemingly interminable political speeches and debates on radio and television will be under away.

If the Labour Party succeeds in its attempt to increase the slender majority of seats in the House of Commons that it won at the last election, it will be introducing radical new measures, including widespread nationalization of private industry, in an effort to rescue Britain from threatening economic problems.

The Conservatives, the main opposition party, will be hoping to convince the nation of the need for encouraging private enterprise; they have hopes, if the people unite under a Conservative government, of overcoming such evils as inflation, food shortages, fuel crises and a possible world-wide slump.

The Liberal party will be trying to persuade the voters that Britain can achieve economic stability and industrial prosperity only under Liberal leadership.

Meanwhile the Scottish and Welsh Nationalists may be urging the citizens of Scotland and Wales to vote for their complete independence from England and the parliament at Westminster.

4. Bedtime story ♫

Mike: Are you ready, David?

Right: The Lost Coin.

One afternoon just before Christmas an old gentleman was wandering through the city centre. The gaily-illuminated shops were packed with good things and crowded with cheerful shoppers. The children were gazing in wonder at all the toys on display in the windows, and the old man was surveying the happy scene indulgently.

Suddenly in the middle of the throng he spotted a dirty little boy sitting on the pavement, weeping bitterly. When the kind old man asked him why he was crying, the little boy told him that he had lost a ten penny piece that his uncle had given him. Thrusting his hand into his pocket, the old man pulled out a handful of coins. He picked out a shiny, new ten penny piece and handed it to the child.

“Thank you very much,” said the little boy, and, drying his eyes, he cheered up at once.

An hour or so later the old man was making his way back home by the same route. To his astonishment he saw the same dirty little boy in precisely the same spot, crying just as bitterly as before. He went up to the boy and asked him if he had lost the ten pence he had given him as well. The little boy told him that actually he had not lost the second coin, but he still could not find his first ten pence.

“If I could find my own ten pence,” he said tearfully, “I’d have twenty pence now.”

Did you like that? ...

Janet, he’s asleep!

5. A Picnic ♫

Tim: Exeter 78563.

Mary: Tim? This is Mary. I hope I haven’t woken you up.

Tim: Actually I got up ten minutes ago, but it’s only a quarter to nine. Why are you calling me so early on a Sunday morning?

Mary: Because the sun’s shining and there isn’t a cloud in the sky, and Alan and I are going for a picnic. Do you want to come?

Tim: It’s true we haven’t seen the sun lately, but I expect it’ll rain again soon.

Mary: No, it won’t.

Tim: Well I’ve got some work to do, but I suppose I could put it off till tomorrow. Where are you thinking of going?

Mary: Well, there’s lovely spot by the river on the road to Tiverton. There’s a big bend in the road just before you get to Stoke. You leave your car and walk across a field to the left. There are some tall elm trees by the river, and that’s where we’ll be. It’s very easy to find the place.

Tim: Yes, I think I know where you mean. I’ll come, and I might even go for a swim. Are you taking any food or drink? It’s a pity you didn’t mention it yesterday; I don’t think there’s any beer in the house.

Mary: Don’t worry. We’ve got some bottles of beer and lemonade and there’s half a chicken in the fridge.

Tim: Right then. See you there in about an hour.