My Brother, The Gentleman - Kumpulan Audiobook Bahasa Inggris

The story of Sir Walter Raleigh, who spread his cloak on the ground to keep Queen Elizabeth from the hardship of crossing a muddy puddle, can qualify that nobleman for an award as a man of tact and good breeding. My brother Kenny, a bachelor with a keen interest in history, was impressed by that anecdote and thought he might demonstrate his excellent upbringing in a parallel situation. Accordingly, he decided to abandon his subway seat in favor of a woman standing nearby.

Although unaccustomed to such generous treatment, the young woman was pleased to accept Kenny’s kind offer. However, her jealous boyfriend swore an oath under his breath because he thought my brother was flirting with his girlfriend. I don’t have any data on the number of young men who get into similar trouble due to a gallant gesture, but it’s probably one in a thousand. Poor Kenny! He pointed to the now vacant seat.

Words to Learn This Week

You got it! Here are explanations and examples for those words, focusing on their meanings and nuances:

Abandon

To abandon means to leave someone or something behind, to give up or desert something. It can also refer to the act of giving up a plan or an idea.

She abandoned her car on the side of the road.
He abandoned his studies to pursue a career in music.
Abandoning something can be a result of necessity, a change of plans, or a loss of interest.

Keen

Keen means having or showing a strong interest in something, sharp or intense. It can also refer to a sharp edge or a sharp sense of smell.

She had a keen interest in history.
He had a keen sense of smell, able to detect even the faintest odors.
Keenness often suggests a strong interest, a sharp mind, or a heightened awareness.

Jealous

Jealous means feeling resentful or unhappy because someone else has something that you want, feeling envious or threatened by another person’s success or possessions.

He was jealous of his brother’s success.
She felt jealous of her friend’s new relationship.
Jealousy can be a negative emotion, leading to possessiveness, insecurity, or anger.

Tact

Tact means the ability to say or do the right thing in a difficult situation, sensitivity or diplomacy. It suggests a skillful way of handling people or delicate situations.

She handled the situation with tact, avoiding any offense.
He lacked tact, often saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.
Tact is often essential for smooth social interactions and successful communication.

Oath

An oath is a solemn promise or vow, a pledge made under a religious or legal sanction.

He swore an oath to tell the truth.
The king took an oath to protect his people.
Oaths often involve a commitment to honesty, loyalty, or a specific action.

Vacant

Vacant means empty or unoccupied, not being used or filled.

The apartment was vacant, waiting for a new tenant.
He had a vacant expression on his face, seemingly lost in thought.
Something that is vacant is often available, unused, or lacking content.

Hardship

Hardship means a difficult or unpleasant situation, a period of suffering or struggle.

He endured great hardship during the war.
The family faced economic hardship after the father lost his job.
Hardships can test resilience, strength, and the ability to overcome challenges.

My Brother The Gentleman

Regarding chivalry and good breeding, Sir Walter Raleigh’s act of spreading his cloak on the ground to keep Queen Elizabeth from getting her feet muddy exemplifies proper gentlemanly behavior. My brother Kenny, who has always been fascinated by history, was particularly struck by this story and decided that he wanted to emulate Raleigh’s gentlemanly conduct.

While traveling on the subway one day, Kenny spotted a young woman standing, looking tired and uncomfortable. Without hesitation, he offered her his seat, gesturing to the vacant one beside him. The young woman, who was not used to receiving such a kind gesture, gratefully accepted the offer.

However, things worsened when the woman’s boyfriend, standing a few feet away, noticed what had happened. He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy, convinced that Kenny was trying to flirt with his girlfriend. I can’t say how many young men find themselves in similar situations due to a gallant gesture, but I would venture to guess that it’s a relatively rare occurrence.

Unfortunately for Kenny, his good intentions were misconstrued, and he was forced to deal with an irate boyfriend. He tried to explain that he had simply been trying to be polite and chivalrous, but the damage had already been done. Despite this unfortunate incident, Kenny continues to be inspired by Sir Walter Raleigh’s example and remains determined to conduct himself with tact and good breeding.

Words in Use

The Nobleman’s Sacrifice

Lord William was a man of great breeding and excellent upbringing. He was always impeccably dressed and carried himself with the utmost dignity. But one rainy day, his noble facade was put to the test.

As he was walking down the street, he accidentally stepped into a muddy puddle and got his cloak dirty. He was unaccustomed to such a situation and didn’t know how to react.

Just then, he noticed a woman standing nearby, trying to avoid the rain. She was shivering and looked miserable. Lord William felt a pang of sympathy and decided to abandon his own comfort in favor of hers.

He approached the woman and offered her his cloak to keep her dry. She was impressed by his gallant gesture and thanked him profusely.

As they walked together towards the subway, Lord William couldn’t help but notice how beautiful the woman was. He found himself flirting with her, something he had never done before.

But as they reached the subway station, Lord William realized that there was only one seat available. He swore an oath under his breath and wondered what to do.

Without hesitation, he pointed to the now vacant seat and told the woman to take it. She was surprised by his selflessness and thanked him once again.

As the train pulled away, Lord William felt a sense of satisfaction. He had sacrificed his own comfort for the sake of someone else, and it had made him feel truly noble.

From that day on, Lord William made a conscious effort to be more aware of the needs of others. He learned that true nobility was not just about good breeding and excellent upbringing, but also about being kind and selfless accordingly.