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.

Classical History

The Last Gladiator

The people of Rome suddenly turned their back on centuries of ‘sport’ - all because of one harmless old man.

Length: 57 words

Lives of the Saints

Cuthbert and the Miracle of the Wind

The young monk taught some hard-hearted pagans a lesson they’d never forget.

Length: 52 words

Lives of the Saints

Cuthbert and the Otters

An inquisitive monk spied on a guest’s night-time walks.

Length: 55 words

Lives of the Saints

The Keeper of the Gate

A widow cast her precious icon into the sea rather than see it dishonoured by government agents, but that wasn’t the end of the story.

Length: 53 words

Lives of the Saints

The Sacred Snakes of Kefalonia

Once a year, regular as clockwork, the little snakes slither into the convent for a Feast of the Virgin Mary.

Length: 59 words

Lives of the Saints

The Miracle of Piso Livadi

Three fishermen let their tongues run away with them, and were left counting the cost.

Length: 103 words