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.

Greek and Roman Myths

Damon and Pythias

A tale of two friends with complete confidence in each other, and loyal to the death.

Length: 46 words

Greek and Roman Myths

The Gordian Knot

Alexander fulfilled the letter of a prophecy and he did become ruler of the world, but it wasn’t quite fair.

Length: 60 words

Greek and Roman Myths

The Midas Touch

An ancient Greek myth about the dangers of easy wealth.

Length: 60 words

William Shakespeare

‘There is a Tide in the Affairs of Men’

Brutus tells Cassius to act while everything is going his way, or be left with nothing but regrets.

Length: 56 words

Angevin & Plantagenet Era

King Henry II

The great-grandson of William the Conqueror, whose knights assassinated Thomas Becket and whose family harried him to an early grave.

Length: 58 words

Extracts from Literature

The Caucus Race

Alice experiences for herself the very definition of a pointless exercise.

Length: 105 words