Minis
Mini Copy Book

Each post in this section is a short précis (summary) of a passage in The Copy Book. All of them are in modern English. They are intended for students of English as a Foreign Language at Elementary Level.

Character and Conduct

Not Worth a Shilling

Jack Curran’s career as a defender of victims of political prejudice got off to a stuttering start.

Length: 60 words

Lives of the Saints

Cuthbert and Sheriff John

The Sheriff of Northumberland allows wealth and power to go to his head — and his digestion.

Length: 60 words

Stuart Era

The Best Laid Plans

Louis XIV picked up the reins of power in France vowing to to drive the national economy in the common interest, not his own.

Length: 115 words

Bible Stories Retold

The Story of Ruth

Naomi lost her husband and two sons in Moab, and returned to Bethlehem with only one comfort in her bitterness, her daughter-in-law Ruth.

Length: 174 words

Character and Conduct

An Unpopular Popular Reform

Statesmen promise to make the country a better place, but they never mention the one thing that would do some good.

Length: 58 words

Character and Conduct

Inordinate Saving

Samuel Smiles warned that taking care of the pennies should not come before taking care of living.

Length: 56 words