English in a Minute: A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

Why would Anna and Jonathan be talking about the fashion choices of a wolf? Watch this week's English in a Minute to find out what it means if someone is "a wolf in sheep's clothing!"

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China Approves Law on Charities, NGOs

  China recently approved its first comprehensive law on charities and nonprofit organizations. The legislation makes it easier for charities to register and provides protections for people who donate. It also provides stronger government supervision of the organizations. Karla Simon is an American expert on civil society in China. She said there are two sides to the measure. "You have two sides. One is that charities come into being more easily. That's the charity side. And then they are permitted to register, and more of them are. It applies to a broad range of charities. But the other side is, how do we protect the people who give money.” Lawmakers approved the new law at the yearly meeting China’s National People’s Congress. The meeting ended Wednesday. Some people consider the law a government attempt to increase charitable giving. Donations stopped growing in 2011 when the media reported about the misuse of charity monies. The Britain-based Charities Aid Foundation recently rated charitable giving in 145 countries. It placed China second to the bottom. The legislation places a limit on yearly management fees. Charities are required to spend a certain amount of money they make. They can spend 70 percent of the amount given them that year, or  70 percent of the average income over the last three years. The law also provides tax reductions for people who donate. Chinese President Xi Jinping has pushed for greater control of civil society groups in China. The nation is considering a measure to place foreign nonprofit organizations under the jurisdiction of the police. The new charity law says that charities found to be threatening to national security will be punished. Officials might cancel their registrations, for example. Chinese police have arrested many human rights activists over the last four years reportedly for national security reasons. Patrick Poon is a China researcher for Amnesty International. “In China, what it means by endangering national security would be very broad, and subject to the authorities’ interpretation.” Supporters say the charity legislation is aimed at strengthening approved civil society groups. This would permit nonprofit groups to help the government deal with the needs of the poor as China’s economy slows. They say it will also permit China’s new middle and upper classes to more easily donate to approved charities. Anthony Spires is a civil society scholar at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He said implementation of the legislation will be important to its effect on Chinese society. “It’s going to come down to, whether or not it’s implemented at the local level. It’s going to come down to whether or not the Ministry of Civil Affairs officials at the local level adopt a broad definition of charity, or a very narrow, specific one." Spires said local officials probably will understand the law in a way that excludes organizations working on politically sensitive issues, such as women’s or gay rights. The Chinese government has said it wants to end poverty in China within four years and the new law is an attempt to reach that goal. I'm Mario Ritter. VOA’s Shannon Van Sant reported this story. Mario Ritter adapted for Learning English using additional material from Reuters. Caty Weaver was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   comprehensive – adj. charity – n. the organizations that help people in need range –n. a group of things that usually share a similarity management – n. the act or skill of controlling and making decisions about a business, department, sports team, etc. jurisdiction –n. an area to which certain laws or rules apply authority – n. people who have power to make decisions and enforce rules and laws interpretation – n. the act or result of explaining or interpreting something: the way something is explained or understood scholar – n. a person who has studied a subject for a long time and knows a lot about it : an intelligent and well-educated person who knows a particular subject very well implement –v. to put into action, to carry out gay – adj. people who are sexually attracted to members of the same sex

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Rare Rhino Birth in Kenya

  The first black rhino in more than 25 years was born in northern Kenya this month. It was born at the Sera Community Rhino Sanctuary. The birth comes when poaching has put the black rhino on a list of animals that face extinction. Only about 5,000 black rhinos remain. Female black rhinos usually have one baby at a time. At birth, baby rhinos, called calves, weigh between 40 to 64 kilograms, according to the San Diego Zoo. Conservationists in Kenya say they are pleased with the birth. But protecting the black rhinos is expensive. A sanctuary in east Africa estimates it costs between $10,000 and $15,000 to protect one rhino. The Sera sanctuary is becoming a popular home for rhinos. The first rhinos were moved to Sera in 2015. The baby rhino’s birth brought the population at the sanctuary to 11. Officials hope to bring 10 more rhinos to Sera this year. White rhinos and black rhinos live in the grasslands and floodplains of eastern and southern Africa, according to the National Geographic Society. I’m Jim Dresbach.   Jill Craig wrote this story for VOA News. Jim Dresbach adapted it for Learning English and VOANews.com. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   rhino – n. informal language use for rhinoceros poaching – v. to catch or kill an animal illegally extinction – n.  the state or situation that results when something such as a plant or animal species has died out completely sanctuary – n. a place where someone or something is protected or given shelter calves – v. a baby of a large animal like a rhino grasslands – n. land covered with grasses and other soft plants but not with bushes and trees floodplains – n. an area of low, flat land along a stream or river that may flood  

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What Is March Madness?

These days, you may hear people in the United States talking about March Madness. But what does that mean? Does the month of March make people angry? No, of course not! March Madness refers to a college basketball tournament. The competition takes place every March. And the madness it creates is excitement! Sometimes mad is defined as angry. But here is another definition of the word:  “marked by intense and unpredictable activity.” The three-week long college basketball tournament is exactly that. It involves 64 men’s team and 64 women’s teams from colleges and universities around the country. Another reason for the madness is that people bet a lot of money on the games. In 2015, the American Gaming Association said about $9 billion is bet on the tournament. That is more than double the amount bet for the professional American football championship known as the Super Bowl. All that money is enough to drive someone crazy! The National Collegiate Athletic Association, or NCAA, puts on the basketball tournament. The competition is made up of three divisions. The men’s Division I tournament is the most popular. It features players who sometimes move on to professional careers in the National Basketball Association, or NBA, and other leagues around the world. Some of the players who became famous in the NCAA tournament and now have major professional careers are Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat. Retired NBA legends Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing and Michael Jordan all played in the NCAA tournament. Even tournament players who do not “go pro,” sometimes become folk heroes for the fans that support their teams. Paul Jesperson of the University of Northern Iowa is an example. He will be famous in his state forever as a result of his game winning score in the tournament just a few days ago. Jesperson threw the ball from half-court with less than a second left in play. The crowd went wild when the ball went in the basket. NCAA experts choose the teams to play in the tournament each year. When a team loses a game, it leaves the tournament. The tournament goes from 64 teams to 32, 16 and 4. The last two rounds are referred to as the Sweet Sixteen and the Final Four. This year, the championship game will be played on April 4. Some of the recent men’s tournament champions are Duke University from North Carolina, the University of Connecticut, and the University of Louisville, in Kentucky. The tournament has been going on since 1939, but did not become a “madness” until 1979. That is when Michigan State University defeated Indiana State University. Two important players faced each other in competition: Michigan’s Magic Johnson and Indiana’s Larry Bird. Both went on to the NBA and great fame as two of the greatest basketball players ever. The university with the most tournament championships is the University of California, Los Angeles, or UCLA. The Bruins, as the team is known, has won 11 times. After this weekend’s games, the tournament will be down to the Final Four. Some of the well-known teams still playing are Pennsylvania’s Villanova University, the University of Kansas and the University of Oregon. One of the most interesting stories in this year’s tournament came from Yale University, a school better known for academics than athletics. Yale qualified for the tournament by winning the Ivy League for the first time since 1962. The league also includes Harvard University and Princeton University. The games are usually exciting, adding to the madness. Even the players are big fans. Daniel Ochefu plays for Villanova. His family is from Nigeria and he lived there for a couple years when he was a teenager. He says great things happen in March. “I know I was up late watching the Northern Iowa half-court buzzer-beater and the St. Joe's game. You know, it's March. Great things happen. We just don't want to miss them. So the TV's right there. We're laying in bed and just turn the TV on, and something great could happen.” Of course, when great things happen, that is when the madness ends. I’m Caty Weaver.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. Do you follow the NCAA basketball tournaments? Who are you rooting for? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ____________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   madness – n. behavior or thinking that is very foolish or dangerous tournament – n. a sports competition or series of contests that involves many players or teams and that usually continues for at least several days mania – n. extreme enthusiasm for something that is usually shared by many people crazy, drive crazy – adj. wild and uncontrolled, used in the phrase drive/make (someone) crazy to describe annoying or bothering someone very much wander – v. to move around or go to different places usually without having a particular purpose or direction bet – n. to risk losing something (such as money) if your guess about what will happen is wrong folk hero – n. a person who is greatly admired by many people of a particular kind or in a particular place sweet sixteen– n. a party celebrating a person’s 16th birthday buzzer-beater– n. a shot or goal made before the end of a period or game in a sporting event  

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VOA English Newscast: 2200 UTC March 25, 2016

  From Washington, this is VOA News. I’m David Byrd reporting. U.S. forces have killed Hajji Iman, an Islamic State finance minister also responsible for the terrorist group's external affairs. U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced Iman's death Friday. “We are systematically eliminating ISIL's cabinet.  Indeed the U.S. military killed several key ISIL terrorist this week, including we believe Hajii Iman.” Carter would not say whether Iman was killed in Iraq or Syria, nor would he say whether the Islamic State leader was killed in a raid or an airstrike. Carter also announced that Abu Sara, an Islamic State leader charged with paying fighters in Iraq, was targeted by U.S. forces this week. Belgian prosecutors say three people have been detained in a counterterrorism operation in Brussels prompted by Thursday’s arrest of a Frenchman in the Paris area suspected of plotting a new attack. The Belgian prosecutor's office confirmed in a statement that Friday's arrests were conducted in three districts of the capital. Meanwhile U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with Beligum's Prime Minister Charles Michel and assured him of U.S. support in the wake of the attacks. “Our mission to defeat and destroy Daesh is not going to be accomplished overnight, it’s going to take some time and patience and persistence. It will require resources and commitment and cooperation across may cultures and beliefs and the recognition that this is in fact truly a global challenge.” Kerry also laid a wreath at the Brussels airport, one of the two sites rocked by bombings that left more than 30 people dead. This is VOA News. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Newscast Eliminate –v. to remove Prosecutors –n. a lawyer for the government who accuses someone of a crime Prompt –v. to cause something to happen Conduct –v. to lead, to carry out Wake –n. the after-effect, what is left after some event Persistence –n. continuing to do something despite barriers Challenge –n. a difficult thing to accomplish

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Playing Games and Learning About Economics

“Today, what we have planned for you guys is money markets, and then playing a game called Mr. Big Shots. So, we’ll start off today’s class….” Just outside Washington, D.C., children with an interest in economics now have a place to learn about it. They can join a club called Edunomics. The group meets once a week at Farmwell Station Middle School in Ashburn, Virginia. Edunomics was the idea of two high school students who once studied at the middle school. Sahith Malyala and Sahil Yedulla visit Farmwell Station once a week to teach economics to interested students. The high school seniors began studying economics in high school. The two say they work with the children not for credit, but to give back to the local community. Sahil Yedulla says they decided to give children a chance to explore a subject they enjoy. “I got a message from Sahith, he was like, 'Hey you want to start an economics club?' I was like, 'You know what, why not?'” Sahith Malyala says there were many reasons for launching the club last year. He says middle schoolers have plenty of chances to learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Educators use the name STEM when talking about the four subjects. “They have a lot of STEM-related opportunities, but we wanted to do economics because we’re both interested in that. And there wasn’t that many economic-related organizations or clubs out there." Neighbors and childhood friends took their idea for Edunomics to David Stephenson, who teaches at the Farmwell Station Middle School. “I’m deeply touched. I usually get visitors to come back and see me and say ‘hi.’ I have never had students come back and say this is what I want to do. I thought it was a fantastic idea.” Stephenson helped  the high schoolers find a space to hold the weekly classes. Yedulla says he also showed them how to be good teachers. “Mr. Stephenson’s help cannot be put in words. He helped us so much with this club. I remember like, after the first lesson, he was like, 'maybe just try to slow down a little bit, just like ease into it.'” Malyala says simplifying economics, financing and business, and making it fun is the secret to getting younger students interested. “Each week, we would have like a 5- to 10-minute lecture on a new topic. Then after that, we would really hit hard on making sure they understood it through an interactive game.” These games help demonstrate the real world uses of the economic theories. Club member Anika Kumar finds studying economics fun and useful. “If you want to start your business, then you need to know all about economics and money .” David Stephenson says Edunomics has been profitable for everyone involved. Older students learn to become leaders and bring change to others’ lives. Middle schoolers are more open when high schoolers teach them. Next year, the high schoolers will be attending college. But David Stephenson says the club will continue, giving other students a chance to teach and learn. I’m Dorothy Gundy.   Faiza Elmasry reported on this story for VOANews.com. George Grow adapted this story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   senior – n. a student in the final year or high school or college fantastic – adj. extremely good or great lesson – n. a single class lecture – n. a talk or speech to a group of people interactive – adj. requiring people to talk with each other or do things together We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.

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Report Says Americans Less Happy

The United States has experienced a decline in happiness during the past ten years although it remains among the world’s happiest countries. That finding comes from a Gallup Poll and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network survey. The World Happiness Report found that Americans showed “significant decreases” in happiness from 2005-2007 and again from 2013-2015. The U.S. ranked as the 13th happiest country in the 2016 poll. The report showed that 45 nations showed a decline in happiness during the past 10 years. Burundi was at the lowest spot in the rankings of more than 150 nations. The happiest country in the world was Denmark, according to the report. The top 10 countries also included Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia and Sweden. Mexico was ranked 21st and Britain was 23rd. France was in the 32nd position, and Japan was ranked 53rd. Greece had the largest drop in the survey. Researchers blamed the drop on the debt crisis and high employment in the country. In 2014, the Pew Research Center compiled a life satisfaction poll. In that survey, a top conclusion was that richer countries were happier than poor countries. The Pew research said Asians and Africans are the most optimistic people about their futures. Money was a big factor driving happiness, but it was not the most important according to the Pew organization. The majority of those asked thought good health, quality education for their children and safety from crime were more important than wealth. I’m Jim Dresbach.   Jim Dresbach wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. What makes you happy? Is your country a happy place? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   poll – n. an activity in which several or many people are asked a question or a series of questions in order to get information about what most people think about something compile – v. to put together in a publication or collection survey – n. an activity in which many people are asked a question or a series of questions in order to gather information about what most people do or think about something factor – n. something that helps produce or influence a result

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Irish Comedian Calls Trump 'Bad Boyfriend'

This is What’s Trending Today… An Irish entertainer compared U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump to a terrible boyfriend in a viral Facebook video. The video, created by Clisare, has received more than 1.8 million views and 28,000 shares on Facebook. Clisare called the video, “Dear America.” She talks to “America” from the point of view of “Ireland,” a concerned friend who does not like America’s choice in boyfriends. Clisare begins her video by saying, “I’ve just been chatting with all of the other countries, and we just really think that Donald is not right for you. We’d hoped that you’d come to this conclusion by yourself, but it’s looking like it needs to be said.” She tells America that if “you are going to make it official with Donald, you can’t hang around with Britain anymore.” Earlier this year, lawmakers in the United Kingdom debated whether Trump should be barred from entering their country after more than 570,000 people signed an online petition calling for his ban. Clisare also says, “I know you think it’s really romantic that he wants to build a wall around you to protect you, but that’s...borderline psycho behavior.” Donald Trump himself has said he would build a large wall at the U.S.-Mexico border if he is elected president. She even tells the U.S. she had a chat with Germany. “Germany is worried about you. God knows Germany knows a bad relationship when they see it … now.” She referred to the German chancellor Adolf Hitler, who was responsible for the death of millions in World War II. This is not the first time Clisare has gone viral. Earlier this month, a Facebook video of Clisare explaining Irish pronunciation received more than 3 million views in just three days. And that’s What’s Trending Today.   I’m Dan Friedell. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   petition - n. a written document that people sign to show that they want a person or organization to do or change something romantic - adj. thinking about love and doing and saying things to show that you love someone psycho - (informal) adj. mentally ill and often dangerous or violent

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March 25, 2016

A look at the best news photos from around the world.

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Iran Says Missile Launch Was Not Violation

Iran has defended its recent launch of ballistic missiles in a letter written to the United Nations. Iran launched two missiles March 9. The rockets hit targets off of Iran's coast into the Sea of Oman, state media and Iran's news agency reported. The United States and France criticized the launches. U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231 bans Iran from testing ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Gholamali Khoshroo, Iran’s United Nations ambassador, wrote to the U.N. on March 23 that Iran did not violate the resolution. Khoshroo said there is no basis for raising the issue with the U.N. Security Council in the letter. Council members met March 14 at the request of the U.S. to discuss the missile launch. Samantha Power, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, called the launches “dangerous, destabilizing and provocative” and “undermine the prospect for peace” in the Middle East. Iran continues to insist its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes, according to multiple media organizations. Some members of the U.S. Congress have asked for more sanctions against Iran. “Iran is developing a nuclear program, so that they can put it on top of a ballistic missile …,” Republican Senator Cory Gardner of Colorado told VOA just days after the launch. I’m Jim Dresbach.   Margaret Besheer wrote this story for VOA News. Jim Dresbach adapted this story for Learning English and VOANews.com. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   ballistic missile – n. a weapon that is shot through the sky over a great distance and then falls to the ground and explodes warhead – n. the part of a missile that contains the explosive resolution  – n. a formal statement that expresses the feelings, wishes, or decision of a group destabilizing  – v. to cause something to be unable to continue existing or working in the usual or desired way provocative – adj. causing discussion, thought, argument

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'The Exact Science of Matrimony' by O.Henry

  Our story today is called “The Exact Science of Matrimony.”  It was written by O. Henry.  Here is Barbara Klein with the story.   Jeff Peters and Andy Tucker could never be trusted.  One day, the two men decided to open a marriage business to make some quick and easy money.  The first thing they did was to write an advertisement to be published in newspapers.  Their advertisement read like this: “A charming widow, beautiful and home-loving, would like to remarry.  She is only thirty-two years old.  She has three thousand dollars in cash and owns valuable property in the country.  She would like a poor man with a loving heart.  No objection to an older man or to one who is not good-looking.  But he needs to be faithful and true, can take care of property and invest money with good judgment.  Give address, with details about yourself.  Signed: Lonely, care of Peters and Tucker, agents, Cairo, Illinois.” When they finished writing the ad, Jeff Peters said to Andy Tucker: “So far, so good.  And now, where is the lady?” Andy gave Jeff an unhappy look.  “What does a marriage advertisement have to do with a lady?” he asked. “Now listen,” Jeff answered.  “You know my rule, Andy.  In all illegal activities, we must obey the law, in every detail.  Something offered for sale must exist.  It must be seen.  You must be able to produce it.  That is how I have kept out of trouble with the police.  Now, for this business to work, we must be able to produce a charming widow, with or without the beauty, as advertised.” “Well,” said Andy, after thinking it over, “it might be better, if the United States Post Office should decide to investigate our marriage agency.  But where can you hope to find a widow who would waste her time on a marriage proposal that has no marriage in it?” Jeff said that he knew just such a woman. “An old friend of mine, Zeke Trotter,” he said, “used to work in a tent show.  He made his wife a widow by drinking too much of the wrong kind of alcohol.  I used to stop at their house often.  I think we can get her to work with us.” Missus Zeke Trotter lived in a small town not far away.  Jeff Peters went out to see her.  She was not beautiful and not so young.  But she seemed all right to Jeff. “Is this an honest deal you are putting on, Mister Peters?” she asked when he told her what he wanted. “Missus Trotter,” said Jeff, “three thousand men will seek to marry you to get your money and property.  What are they prepared to give in exchange?  Nothing!  Nothing but the bones of a lazy, dishonest, good-for-nothing fortune-seeker.  We will teach them something.  This will be a great moral campaign.  Does that satisfy you?” “It does, Mister Peters,” she said.  “But what will my duties be?  Do I have to personally reject these three thousand good-for-nothings you speak of?  Or can I throw them out in bunches?” Jeff explained that her job would be easy.  She would live in a quiet hotel and have no work to do.  He and Andy would take care of all letters and the business end of the plot.  But he warned her that some of the men might come to see her in person.  Then, she would have to meet them face-to-face and reject them.  She would be paid twenty-five dollars a week and hotel costs. “Give me five minutes to get ready,” Missus Trotter said.  “Then you can start paying me.” So Jeff took her to the city and put her in a hotel far enough from Jeff and Andy’s place to cause no suspicion. Jeff Peters and Andy Tucker were now ready to catch a few fish on the hook.  They placed their advertisement in newspapers across the country.  They put two thousand dollars in a bank in Missus Trotter’s name.  They gave her the bank book to show if anyone questioned the honesty of their marriage agency.  They were sure that Missus Trotter could be trusted and that it was safe to leave the money in her name. Their ad in the newspapers started a flood of letters – more than one hundred a day.  Jeff and Andy worked twelve hours a day answering them.  Most of the men wrote that they had lost their jobs.  The world misunderstood them.  But they were full of love and other good qualities. ​Jeff and Andy answered every letter with high praise for the writer.  They asked the men to send a photograph and more details.  And they told them to include two dollars to cover the cost of giving the second letter to the charming widow. Almost all the men sent in the two dollars requested.  It seemed to be an easy business.  Still, Andy and Jeff often spoke about the trouble of cutting open envelopes and taking the money out. A few of the men came in person.  Jeff and Andy sent them to Missus Trotter and she did the rest.  Soon, Jeff and Andy were receiving about two hundred dollars a day.  One day, a federal postal inspector came by.  But Jeff satisfied him that they were not breaking the law. After about three months, Jeff and Andy had collected more than five thousand dollars, and they decided it was time to stop.  Some people were beginning to question their honesty.  And, Missus Trotter seemed to have grown tired of her job.  Too many men had come to see her and she did not like that. Jeff went to Missus Trotter’s hotel to pay her what she was owed, and to say goodbye.  He also wanted her to repay the two thousand dollars that was put into her bank account. When Jeff walked into the room she was crying, like a child who did not want to go to school. “Now, now,” he said. “What’s it all about?  Somebody hurt you?  Are you getting homesick?” “No, Mister Peters,” she said.  “I’ll tell you.  You were always a good friend of my husband Zeke.  Mister Peters, I am in love.  I just love a man so hard I can’t bear not to get him.  He’s just the kind I’ve always had in mind.” “Then take him,” said Jeff.  “Does he feel the same way about you?” “He does,” Missus Trotter answered.  “But there is a problem.  He is one of the men who have been coming to see me in answer to your advertisement.  And he will not marry me unless I give him the two thousand dollars.  His name is William Wilkinson.” Jeff felt sorry for her.  He said he would be glad to let her give the two thousand dollars to Mister Wilkinson, so that she could be happy.  But he said he had to talk to his partner about it. Jeff returned to his hotel and discussed it with Andy. “I was expecting something like this,” Andy said.  “You can’t trust a woman to stick with you in any plan that involves her emotions.” Jeff said it was a sad thing to think that they were the cause of the breaking of a woman’s heart.  Andy agreed with him. “I’ll tell you what I am willing to do,” said Andy.  “Jeff, you have always been a man of a soft and generous heart.  Perhaps I have been too hard and worldly and suspicious.  For once, I will meet you half-way.  Go to Missus Trotter.  Tell her to take the two thousand dollars out of the bank and give it to this Wilkinson fellow and be happy.” Jeff shook Andy’s hand for a long time.  Then he went back to Missus Trotter.  She cried as hard for joy as she had done for sorrow. Two days later, Jeff and Andy prepared to leave town. “Wouldn’t you like to go meet Missus Trotter once before we leave?” Jeff asked Andy.  “She’d like to express her thanks to you.” “Why, I guess not,” Andy said.  “I think we should hurry and catch the train.” Jeff was putting all the money they had received in a belt he tied around his body.  Then Andy took a large amount of money out of his pocket and asked Jeff to put it together with the other money. “What’s this?” Jeff asked. “It’s Missus Trotter’s two thousand dollars,” said Andy. “How do you come to have it?” Jeff asked. “Missus Trotter gave it to me,” Andy answered. “I have been calling on her three nights a week for more than a month.” “Then you are William Wilkinson?” Jeff asked. “I was,” Andy said. This story was adapted by Shelley Gollust and produced by Lawan Davis.  _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   publish – v. to have something you wrote included in a book, magazine, or newspaper investigate – v. to try to get information about (someone who may have done something illegal) reject – v. to refuse to love, care for, or give attention to (someone) federal – adj. of or relating to the central government​ inspector – n. a person whose job is to inspect something partner – n. one of two or more people, businesses, etc., that work together or do business together

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