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.

Modern History

Cut From Other Cloth

While inspecting troops in Colchester for duty against Napoleon, the Duke of York came upon one man who gave new meaning to the word Veteran.

Length: 59 words

Classical History

‘Macedonia Is Too Small for Thee’

Plutarch tells us how Alexander the Great came to bond with Bucephalus, the mighty stallion that bore him to so many victories.

Length: 116 words

Helen Maria Williams

The Little Dog of Castiglione

Nothing seemed likely to stop Napoleon Bonaparte from conquering Europe, but one little fellow slowed him up a bit.

Length: 115 words

Poets and Poetry

Nature’s Harmony

William Wordsworth looks back on a life of disappointments and regrets, and finds in them reasons to be thankful.

Length: 54 words

Music and Musicians

Mozart’s Genius

An amateur composer once asked Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart how he thought of his lovely music and — for one performance only — the maestro told him.

Length: 114 words

Aesop of Samos

The Country Milkmaid

A pretty young milkmaid plans just a little bit too far ahead.

Length: 59 words