More US Students Choose College Overseas

For VOA Learning English, this is the Education Report. Hunter Bliss, like more and more American students, left the United States to go to college. He told the BBC that the cost of education was one reason he went to Germany to get a degree in physics. As a student at the Technical University of Munich, in Germany, he pays around $6,000 dollars per year to cover his rent, insurance and other living expenses. To study at the University of South Carolina, his home university in the U.S., Hunter would have to pay more than $10,000 dollars per year, with scholarships.  Bliss convinced his mother that studying in Germany was a better option for him. "You have to pay for my college, mom - do you want to pay this much or this much?" More and more Americans go abroad for a college degree The Institute of International Education, or IIE, says that the number of U.S. students pursuing college degrees in Western Europe increased by about 5 percent from 2010 to 2012. In the 2011-2012 school year, there were 46,571 U.S. students enrolled in degree programs in 14 countries. Around 68 percent of U.S. students pursue degrees in English-speaking countries. The top destination countries were the U.K. and Canada. France and Germany were third and fourth, respectively. Germany, in particular, has attracted many more American students in recent years, like Hunter Bliss. From 2010 to 2012, the number of American students enrolling in German universities increased by almost 10 percent, says the IIE. In 2012, there were more than 4,000 American students pursuing undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees in Germany. Why do Americans go abroad? The IIE says American students choose to study in another country for two main reasons. First, international experience is becoming more important in the modern job market. Second, the cost of higher education has continued to rise in the United States. Rising tuition costs make education abroad – particularly in countries that charge no tuition – attractive to American students, says the IIE. What are the costs of studying in Europe? Many American students choose Germany because of the low cost of education there. German public universities do not charge tuition fees. And many universities in Germany offer courses in English, too. Casey Detrow, a New Yorker who is getting a degree in American Studies at Humboldt University, in Berlin, told NPR that she chose to go to school in Berlin because it was free. She said: "I really cannot even compare that to what I would be getting in the United States. When you are talking free versus $50,000, I feel like there is no contest. I can't justify going back." Other students have made similar statements. Michael Ferrante, a college student, told Bloomberg that "it was infinitely cheaper to study in Berlin." Ferrante said he paid $500 for two semesters at Humboldt and Freie Universität in Berlin. For two semesters at Johns Hopkins, a university in the United States, he spent roughly $27,000 dollars with financial assistance. Why does Germany continue to give free education to foreign students? Jeffrey Peck, the Dean of the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences at Baruch College, City University of New York, told the BBC about some of the differences between Germany and the United States. "College education in the US is seen as a privilege and expected to cost money and in Germany it is seen as an extension of a free high school education where one expects it to be provided," he said. The German government has been eager to encourage students to come to Germany for another reason. Like many countries in Western Europe, Germany has a demographic problem. In other words, the population is becoming older, and fewer young people are entering college and the job market. The German government, says the Migration Policy Institute, wants to attract young students to help Germany's economic competitiveness. The hope is to attract skilled foreign students who will stay in Germany. For now, the state government in Berlin says it has no plans to introduce fees for international students. Steffen Krach, the Secretary of Science, said: "We will not introduce tuition fees for international students. We don't want the entry to college to be dependent on your social status." Sebastian Fohrbeck of the German Academic Exchange Council told the BBC that the system is working. He says that 50% of foreign students stay in Germany. He also said: "Even if people don't pay tuition fees, if only 40 percent stay for five years and pay taxes, we recover the cost for the tuition." I'm John Russell.   This story uses information from the BBC, NPR, Bloomberg and the Institute for International Education. John Russell adapted this story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   rent – n. money that you pay in return for being able to use property and especially to live in an apartment or house that belongs to someone else scholarship – n. an amount of money that is given by a school or another organization to a student to help pay for the student's education pursue – v. to try to get or do (something) over a period of time fees – n. an amount of money that must be paid justify – v. to provide or be a good reason for (something) privilege – n. a right or benefit that is given to some people and not to others status – n. the position or rank of someone or something when compared to others in a society, organization or group  

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Survey: US H-1B Visa Policies Too Restrictive

A survey of American business leaders finds many of them believe the non-immigrant H-1B visa program should be reformed. These visas let American companies employ for up to six years people from other countries who have special skills that American workers do not. Matthew Slaughter leads the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. He directed the survey, which asked 400 executives their opinions about the program. The survey showed that companies that need to hire people with special skills from other countries believe the process is too costly. Slaughter said 82 percent of those asked “said hiring a foreign worker costs as much as or more than hiring a comparably-skilled U.S. worker.” Some Americans believe H-1B visa holders are trying to take their jobs. But Rosario Marin, the former Treasurer of the United States, disagrees. She is now the co-chair of the American Competitiveness Alliance. She said the high technology industry needs foreign workers because it cannot find Americans with the same level of skill. “Almost 80 percent (of) full-time graduate students in electrical engineering in the United States are international students,” she said. “In computer science, foreign nationals make up more than 70 percent of graduate students.” Application process Workers cannot apply for an H-1B visa. The company that wants to employ them must do so. There were about 233,000 applications in the last year. But the law permits only 65,000 visas to be granted, plus 20,000 visas for those who hold masters degrees. When the number of applications is greater than the number of visas the law permits, a lottery system is put into effect. The New York Times newspaper reports that in 2014, about half of the applications were rejected because the yearly visa limit had been reached. In 2015, that number increased to two-thirds of applications. People who apply for the visa but do not receive one are not permitted to work in the United States. Marin said that could help companies outside the U.S. “Our economic rivals are recruiting them,” she said. She notes that businesses in other countries try to employ some of the workers whose applications have been rejected. Bjorn Billhardt is a business owner. He employs H-1B visa holders. He said not being able to employ people with special skills could hurt American businesses. “In (the) early stage of a company, it’s that critical employee that will make or break the company,” he said. Matthew Slaughter said about three quarters of the companies that need foreign workers say that if they have high-skilled positions that are not filled within a month, the company can be harmed. He said 71 percent of those asked said they would consider moving some of their operations to other countries if they find it too difficult to hire skilled workers in the United States.  Calls for reform In November, The New York Times noted that the goal of the program was to help businesses in the United States expand. This would help the economy, and create more jobs in the U.S. But the newspaper reported, “in recent years, many H-1B visas have gone to temporary immigrants who lacked special skills and displaced American workers from jobs.” Republican Senators Chuck Grassley and Jeff Sessions believe the program is being abused by employers. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump called for increasing the pay of H-1B visa holders. His campaign website says that would force companies to give jobs to unemployed Americans or immigrants in the United States rather than to workers from other countries. Senator Ted Cruz says on his website the government should stop H-1B visas for six months to permit an “investigation and audit of pervasive allegations of abuse of the program.” Cruz says “in recent months, more and more reports have become public of companies replacing American workers with cheaper foreign workers, contrary to the stated intent of the H-1B visa program.” In the past year, a committee of the U.S. Senate has held two official meetings to learn about the effect of the H-1B program on American workers. The New York Times reports a small number of large companies apply for the H-1B visas. This increases their chances of success, because of the lottery system. The newspaper reports that federal records show these companies have learned how to control the system. Slaughter and Marin say Congress should reform the H-1B visa program’s rules to help American businesses. I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise.   VOA's Andrianna Zhang reported this story from Washington. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter 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   lottery – n. a system used to decide who will get or be given something by choosing names or numbers by chance; a process in which a selection is made by chance, not on merit rival – n. a person or thing that tries to defeat or be more successful than another stage – n. a particular point or period in the growth or development of something critical – adj. extremely important make or break – adj. resulting in either definite success or definite failure (always used before a noun) pervasive – adj. existing in every part of something; spreading to all parts of something intent – n. the thing that you plan to do or achieve; an aim or purpose

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Amnesty International Reports Sharp Jump in Executions

More people were put to death last year than in any year since 1989, according to Amnesty International. The rights group reported that at least 1,634 people worldwide were executed in 2015. That represents an increase of 54 percent from the number in 2014. Amnesty called the number of those put to death, “profoundly disturbing.” The group said Iran, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were responsible for the increase in executions in 2015. Those countries were responsible for 89 percent of all reported executions. Iran executed at least 977 people last year, the group said. More than 320 executions were recorded in Pakistan, while at least 158 people were put to death in Saudi Arabia. Amnesty said most executions in Saudi Arabia were beheadings. In Iran, the majority of those put to death had been tried and found guilty of drug charges. The report failed to give the number of executions carried out in China. There, information about the death penalty is considered a state secret, so execution numbers are not reported. Belarus and Vietnam also did not provide information for the report. Belarus is the only country in Europe to use the death penalty. Amnesty said the United States carried out 28 executions last year, the lowest number since 1991. In 2015, the state of Pennsylvania ordered a ban on executions. The group said a total of 18 states have barred execution as a form of punishment. Amnesty International said the top five executioners in the world were China, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. A majority of the world’s countries – a total of 102 nations – have stopped using the death penalty. I’m Jim Dresbach.   VOANews.com reported this story. Jim Dresbach adapted the report for Learning English and VOANews.com. George Grow 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   profoundly – adj. extremely; greatly disturbing – n. worrying; causing concern beheading – n. the act of cutting off a person’s head death penalty – n. death as a punishment given by a court of law for very serious crimes

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Express Your 'Self'

Hello! From VOA Learning English, this is Words and Their Stories. Have you ever talked to someone who only wants to talk about themselves? It’s “me, me, me” or “I, I, I” all day long! This kind of talk can be a real “turn off” to the people listening. But at times, perhaps we are all guilty of being selfish or self-absorbed. For those days, here are some self-centered expressions you can use. Today our program is all about you! Let’s start with the word “self.” “Self” can be added to many words to make new words. If you are self-conscious, you are aware of yourself in a bad way. You carefully plot your every move. People who are self-conscious can seem nervous around others and perhaps not very self-confident. However, self-awareness is a good thing. Self-awareness means you recognize both your good points and bad points. A person who is self-aware understands that what they say and do affects the people around them. The difference between being self-aware and self-conscious may seem minor. But there is a big difference. Self-employed people are people who work for themselves. They are their own bosses. But people who are self-serving only think of their own needs. However, if you are self-employed, being a self-serving business person is a good thing. No one is there to help you. You must look after yourself. Self-preservation is also good thing. You have to depend on yourself to survive. However, self-pity is not a good thing to have. Nobody likes to be around people who always feel sorry for themselves. You don’t have to be filled with self-pity to annoy other people around you. If you are unable to make a decision, people could say to you, “suit yourself.” This expression is a response when you don’t really care what someone does. It means to do as you please. In other words, have it your way! Let’s listen to an example: “I don’t think I’m going to the party tonight.” “But you just said you were going and that you would give me ride!” “Okay, I’ll go.” “Look, suit yourself. Don’t go because of me. But make up your mind!”   Some expressions using the word “self” can sound strange. Take, for example, the saying to be beside yourself. To many people, this might sound like you are having an out-of-body experience. But to be beside yourself means to be affected by a strong, usually negative emotion, like anger or sadness. Here are a few examples: “When her mother died, she was beside herself with grief.” “He was so upset that he was beside himself.”   Another unusual-sounding expression is to be full of yourself. This means that you think so highly of yourself that you are full; there is no room for anyone else. If you are full of yourself, you might think that you are the greatest thing since sliced bread -- a common expression in American English. If you are full of yourself, you may need to get over yourself. “To get over yourself” may sound like a difficult physical exercise. But it only means that you need to think of someone other than yourself. If you are way too caught up in your own life or think you are better than everyone else, others might say to you, “Get over yourself.” Now, getting out of your own way is different. This means that the thing or barrier keeping you from getting what you want is you! If you are the reason you are not achieving your goals a friend could say to you, “You have to get out of your own way!” People who experience hard times can become a shadow of their former self. This means they have less influence or strength than they once did. For example, imagine a man who has a loving wife, a high-paying job and helps out in his community. Then his wife leaves him. She blames herself for the separation. But this doesn’t help. The man turns to alcohol to escape his marriage problems. Then he loses his job, his home, his friends. When you see how low he has fallen, you could say he is a shadow of his former self. But enough about him. Let’s get back to you. Practice using some of these “self” expressions to express yourself. I’m Anna Matteo.   Anna Matteo wrote this article for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. The song at the end is “Express Yourself” sung by Madonna.   

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US Military Dog Awarded Top Honor for Bravery

A British animal charity has given its top award for bravery to a U.S. military service dog. Lucca, a German shepherd, completed six years of active service with the United States military in Iraq and Afghanistan. The U.S. Marines say Lucca protected many American and allied troops. She reportedly saved thousands of lives by identifying explosives with her nose. The 12-year-old dog and her handler, Marine Gunnery Sergeant Christopher Willingham, traveled to London this week. There, they received the British People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) Dickin Medal for bravery in battle.     “Her uncanny bravery in the face of adversity, both on and off the battlefield, proved to be an invaluable asset,” said PDSA Director General Jan McLoughlin. Lucca is now retired from the military. But her final mission was an important one. In March 2012, Lucca discovered a 14-kilogram roadside bomb in Afghanistan. She continued the search and a second bomb exploded. Her left front paw was destroyed. She suffered burns to her chest. Her leg had to be removed. But she did make a full recovery. Her move from her duties as a military dog to just a dog of leisure has been uneventful. “She enjoys just being a dog,” Willingham said. He added that Lucca just enjoys taking life easy and laying on a couch. I’m Jim Dresbach.   Henry Ridgwell wrote this report for VOANews.com. Jim Dresbach adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow 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   charity – n. an organization that helps people in need handler – n. a person who trains or controls an animal uncanny – adj. strange or unusual in a way that is surprising or difficult to understand adversity – n. a difficult situation or condition battlefield – n. a place where a battle is fought asset – n. a valuable person or thing mission – n. job or work; duty leisure – n.  time when you are not working; time when you can do whatever you want to do

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English in a Minute: Deer in the Headlights

Have you ever felt like a "deer in the headlights?" Find out what this surprising expression means in this week's English in a Minute!

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Pope Urges Church to Welcome Divorced, Remarried Catholics

Pope Francis has called on the Roman Catholic Church to welcome divorced and remarried Catholics without making changes to the church’s teachings. The Vatican released a 256-page document from the pope on Friday. The document, called “The Joy of Love,” discusses family life for the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics. Pope Francis is urging local clergy to accept divorced Catholics and those who re-marry in civil ceremonies on a case-by-case basis. He said that the church’s teachings on marriage should not be the final word. The document said, “a pastor cannot feel that it is enough simply to apply moral laws to those living in ‘irregular’ situations, as if they were stones to be thrown at people’s lives. This would bespeak the closed heart of one used to hiding behind the Church’s teachings.” Gay Catholics, however, said the pope had failed them. The document welcomed gays in the Roman Catholic church but repeated its opposition to same-sex marriage. "He has ignored submissions and appeals by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Catholics," said Peter Tatchell, a British gay rights advocate. "Gentler words do not assuage Vatican opposition to gay equality." Last October, the Pope met with 270 Catholic bishops to discuss family issues and church teachings on homosexuality, marriage and divorce. The new document was a sign of Francis' call for the church to be more forgiving with “imperfect” Catholics. The biggest issue at the synod meeting last year was whether the church should offer Communion to divorced and remarried Catholics. Church teaching says that a remarried person must receive an annulment of an earlier marriage to take part in Communion. In an annulment, Catholic clergy rule that the earlier marriage was invalid, in violation of church law. Conservatives oppose any change to the church’s teaching. Liberals want to look at each marriage on a case-by-case basis. They support creating a path that could lead them to take part in major religious ceremonies. Francis changed church law last year to make it easier to get an annulment. On Friday, he said the opposition from conservatives was in conflict with Jesus' message of mercy. "In thinking that everything is black and white, we sometimes close off the way of grace and of growth and discourage paths of sanctification which give glory to God," he said. "Let us remember that a small step in the midst of great human limitations can be more pleasing to God than a life which appears outwardly in order but moves through the day without confronting great difficulties." The Rev. James Bretzke, a Boston College theologian, said the document will help clergy to welcome divorced and civilly remarried Catholics back to the church. He said, "Pope Francis does not outlaw that, whereas John Paul II specifically outlawed (it).” Mark Brumley has published the writings of retired Pope Benedict XVI. He said Francis' attention to morality "doesn't mean this is a free pass to do whatever you want." He said the document tries to navigate the difficult path of supporting church teaching while letting the civilly remarried to participate in the life of the church. "It's a very tricky thing," Brumley said. I’m Mario Ritter.   Hai Do wrote this story for Learning English. The information was based on reports from VOANews.com and the Associated Press. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   divorce – v. to legally end a marriage case-by-case - adj. considering each case individually apply - v. use submission - n. something that is submitted gentle - adj. kind and quiet imperfect - adj. having mistakes or problems synod - n. a formal meeting of church leaders grace - n. a state of being pleasing to god navigate - v. to find the way to get to a place  

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Mossack Fonseca: Law Firm Behind 'Panama Papers'

For nearly 40 years, a law firm in Panama helped drug dealers, criminals, corrupt politicians, sports stars and billionaires avoid paying taxes. A group of investigative journalists said the Mossack Fonseca law firm has helped people from more than 200 countries and territories hide their money. Those named include 12 current and former world leaders. Among them are the prime ministers of Iceland and Pakistan, the president of Ukraine and the King of Saudi Arabia. Others are family members of Chinese leaders, associates of the Russian president, Mexican drug gang leaders, people linked to terrorist groups and Iran and North Korea, and FIFA officials. The Mossack Fonseca law firm was created in Panama in 1986 when Jurgen Mossack -- who was born in Germany in 1948 -- and Ramon Fonseca -- who was born in Panama in 1952 -- combined their two law firms. Mossack Fonseca is a global company that provides legal services and helps rich people and companies manage their money. It creates and operates companies in Switzerland, Britain, Hong Kong, the British Virgin Islands and Malta. It also operates in the American states of Nevada and Wyoming. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, or ICIJ, said the firm is one of the largest providers of these services. The journalists group reported that the firm “has more than 500 employees and collaborators in more than 40 offices around the world, including three in Switzerland and eight in China.” The ICIJ said the firm earned more than $42 million in 2013. After the release of the leaked documents known as the “Panama Papers,” Mossack Fonseca said it acted responsibly and obeyed international laws. In a statement, the firm said “the companies we incorporate are not being used for tax evasion, money-laundering, terrorist financing or other illicit purposes.” But the firm said “we regret any misuse of our services and actively take steps to prevent it.” The firm told The Washington Post newspaper that it follows “both the letter and spirit” of financial laws, which it notes are different throughout the world. It said that in almost 40 years of operation it has never been charged with criminal acts. Ramon Fonseca told the French news agency AFP that the leaking of the information is “a crime, a felony. Privacy is a fundamental human right that is being eroded more and more in the modern world. Each person has a right to privacy, whether they are a king or a beggar.” In an hour-long interview on the WhatsApp messaging service, Mr. Fonseca said “at the end of this storm the sky will be blue again and people will find that the only crime is the hacking” of the firm’s documents, The New York Times newspaper reported. The newspaper also reported that in an email to Mr. Fonseca and others in the firm, Mr. Mossack blamed the firm’s employees in London for not investigating the backgrounds of people the firm helped. He said they were “not doing their due diligence thoroughly, (or maybe none at all).” The ICIJ is a non-profit group based in Washington, DC. More than a year ago, the ICIJ was given 11.5 million documents taken from the law firm. The group did not tell who gave it the documents or why. It worked with the German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung and more than 100 other news organizations -- including VOA Zimbabwe -- to create the reports. Putting money in banks in other countries is not always illegal. But the ICIJ says “the documents show that banks, law firms and other(s)…have often failed to follow legal requirements that they make sure their clients are not involved in criminal” acts, illegal tax avoidance or political corruption. Michael Hudson is a senior editor at ICIJ. He told VOA “this is really the shadow side of our global economy -- the money that flows around mostly unchecked, undetected. You can’t say in every single case that someone is doing something wrong, or that they’re hiding improper practices. But it certainly raises lots of questions about transparency when you have politicians, and especially top leaders of countries, moving their holdings offshore and using offshore entities to obscure what they’re doing.” I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise.   Christopher Jones-Cruise wrote this story for VOA Learning English based on information from VOA News, The New York Times and the ICIJ. Hai Do 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   money-laundering – v. to put (money that you got by doing something illegal) into a business or bank account in order to hide where it really came from illicit – adj. not allowed by law; unlawful or illegal erode – v. to gradually destroy (something) or to be gradually destroyed by natural forces (such as water, wind or ice); often used figuratively, as in this article due diligence – n. research and analysis of a company or organization done in preparation for a business transaction (as a corporate merger or purchase of securities) firm - n. a business organization or office gang - n. a group of criminals; a group of young people whose members do illegal things together manage - v. to direct; to supervise collaborator - n. a person who works jointly on an activity or project incorporate - v. to include something as part of something else; to set up a business beggar - n. someone who asks others for money or help interview - n. a meeting at which information is gathered background - n. information required to fully understand a problem or situation unchecked - v. unstopped transparency - n. the quality of state of being open or honest  

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#ResignCameron Rises after 'Panama Papers'

This is What’s Trending Today… People on social media are demanding that a second European leader resign this week. They are talking about British Prime Minister David Cameron, after his father was named in the newly-released “Panama Papers.” With more than 125,000 tweets, the hashtag #resigncameron trended worldwide on Twitter Thursday and Friday.​ Cameron’s father, Ian, was a stockbroker who died just after his son became prime minister. Ian Cameron was among the long list of people identified in the Panama Papers. Their names were among the 11 million documents leaked from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca. The documents provide details about over 200,000 offshore bank accounts. The papers show how rich people, public officials and their families hid their investments and avoided paying taxes. David Cameron said on Thursday that he profited from an offshore fund set up by his father. He denied any wrongdoing, however. "I want to be as clear as I can about the past, about the present, about the future because, frankly, I don't have anything to hide," Cameron told Britain’s ITV.   The prime minister said his family owned shares in Blairmore Holdings, a Bahamas-based company. The shares were worth about $42,000. He said he sold them in 2010, just months before becoming Britain’s leader. David Cameron also told ITV that he paid all the "normal" income taxes on the profits from the sale. But some people are not happy with his explanation. Many on social media demanded that Cameron step down as prime minister. They say he hid wealth to avoid paying British taxes.   The Panama Papers already forced Iceland’s Prime Minister, Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, to resign from office. The documents showed that his wife owns a company in the British Virgin Islands that has $4 million in claims against Iceland’s collapsed banks. On Monday of this week, thousands of protesters gathered outside Iceland’s Parliament to call for his resignation. Gunnlaugsson resigned the next day. And that’s What’s Trending Today. I'm Dan Friedell.   Ashley Thompson adapted this story for VOA Learning English from VOA News reports. George Grow was the editor. ____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   stockbroker - n. an individual whose job is to buy and sell shares of stock for other people offshore - adv. overseas; outside the country fund - n. investments that are used for a special purpose income - adj. money that is earned from work, investments and or businesses ​

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English @ the Movies: 'So Long'

Our English @ the Movies phrase is from the movie "The Secret Life of Pets." This is a funny cartoon movie about pets and what they do when their owners leave. The phrase is "so long." Does this have anything to do with measuring? Listen and find out.

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The Cask of Amontillado

by Edgar Allan Poe Our story today is called "The Cask of Amontillado." It was written by Edgar Allan Poe.  Here is Larry West with the story. Storyteller:  Fortunato and I both were members of very old and important Italian families. We used to play together when we were children. Fortunato was bigger, richer and more handsome than I was. And he enjoyed making me look like a fool. He hurt my feelings a thousand times during the years of my childhood. I never showed my anger, however. So, he thought we were good friends. But I promised myself that one day I would punish Fortunato for his insults to me. Many years passed. Fortunato married a rich and beautiful woman who gave him sons. Deep in my heart I hated him, but I never said or did anything that showed him how I really felt. When I smiled at him, he thought it was because we were friends. He did not know it was the thought of his death that made me smile. Everyone in our town respected Fortunato. Some men were afraid of him because he was so rich and powerful. He had a weak spot, however. He thought he was an excellent judge of wine. I also was an expert on wine. I spent a lot of money buying rare and costly wines. I stored the wines in the dark rooms under my family's palace. Our palace was one of the oldest buildings in the town. The Montresor family had lived in it for hundreds of years. We had buried our dead in the rooms under the palace. These tombs were quiet, dark places that no one but myself ever visited. Late one evening during carnival season, I happened to meet Fortunato on the street. He was going home alone from a party. Fortunato was beautiful in his silk suit made of many colors: yellow, green, purple and red. On his head he wore an orange cap, covered with little silver bells. I could see he had been drinking too much wine. He threw his arms around me. He said he was glad to see me. I said I was glad to see him, too because I had a little problem.   "What is it?" he asked, putting his large hand on my shoulder. "My dear Fortunato," I said, "I'm afraid I have been very stupid. The man who sells me wine said he had a rare barrel of Amontillado wine. I believed him and I bought it from him. But now, I am not so sure that the wine is really Amontillado."   "What!" he said, "A cask of Amontillado at this time of year.  An entire barrel? Impossible!" "Yes, I was very stupid. I paid the wine man the full price he wanted without asking you to taste the wine first. But I couldn't find you and I was afraid he would sell the cask of Amontillado to someone else. So I bought it." "A cask of Amontillado!" Fortunato repeated. "Where is it?" I pretended I didn't hear his question. Instead I told him I was going to visit our friend Lucresi. "He will be able to tell me if the wine is really Amontillado," I said. Fortunato laughed in my face. "Lucresi cannot tell Amontillado from vinegar."   I smiled to myself and said "But some people say that he is as good a judge of wine as you are."   Fortunato grabbed my arm. "Take me to it," he said. "I'll taste the Amontillado for you."   "But my friend," I protested, "it is late. The wine is in my wine cellar, underneath the palace. Those rooms are very damp and cold and the walls drip with water."   "I don't care," he said. "I am the only person who can tell you if your wine man has cheated you. Lucresi cannot!" Fortunato turned, and still holding me by the arm, pulled me down the street to my home. The building was empty. My servants were enjoying carnival. I knew they would be gone all night. I took two large candles, lit them and gave one to Fortunato. I started down the dark, twisting stairway with Fortunato close behind me. At the bottom of the stairs, the damp air wrapped itself around our bodies.   "Where are we?" Fortunato asked. "I thought you said the cask of Amontillado was in your wine cellar." "It is," I said. "The wine cellar is just beyond these tombs where the dead of my family are kept. Surely, you are not afraid of walking through the tombs. He turned and looked into my eyes. "Tombs?" he said. He began to cough. The silver bells on his cap jingled. "My poor friend," I said, "how long have you had that cough?"   "It's nothing," he said, but he couldn't stop coughing.   "Come," I said firmly, "we will go back upstairs. Your health is important.You are rich, respected, admired, and loved. You have a wife and children. Many people would miss you if you died. We will go back before you get seriously ill. I can go to Lucresi for help with the wine." "No!" he cried. "This cough is nothing. It will not kill me. I won't die from a cough."   "That is true," I said, "but you must be careful." He took my arm and we began to walk through the cold, dark rooms. We went deeper and deeper into the cellar.   Finally, we arrived in a small room. Bones were pushed high against one wall. A doorway in another wall opened to an even smaller room, about one meter wide and two meters high. Its walls were solid rock. "Here we are," I said. "I hid the cask of Amontillado in there." I pointed to the smaller room. Fortunato lifted his candle and stepped into the tiny room. I immediately followed him. He stood stupidly staring at two iron handcuffs chained to a wall of the tiny room. I grabbed his arms and locked them into the metal handcuffs. It took only a moment. He was too surprised to fight me. I stepped outside the small room. "Where is the Amontillado?" he cried. "Ah yes," I said, "the cask of Amontillado." I leaned over and began pushing aside the pile of bones against the wall. Under the bones was a basket of stone blocks, some cement and a small shovel. I had hidden the materials there earlier. I began to fill the doorway of the tiny room with stones and cement. By the time I laid the first row of stones Fortunato was no longer drunk. I heard him moaning inside the tiny room for ten minutes. Then there was a long silence.   I finished the second and third rows of stone blocks. As I began the fourth row, I heard Fortunato begin to shake the chains that held him to the wall. He was trying to pull them out of the granite wall. I smiled to myself and stopped working so that I could better enjoy listening to the noise. After a few minutes, he stopped. I finished the fifth, the sixth and the seventh rows of stones. The wall I was building in the doorway was now almost up to my shoulders.   Suddenly, loud screams burst from the throat of the chained man. For a moment I worried. What if someone heard him? Then I placed my hand on the solid rock of the walls and felt safe. I looked into the tiny room, where he was still screaming. And I began to scream, too. My screams grew louder than his and he stopped. It was now almost midnight. I finished the eighth, the ninth and the tenth rows. All that was left was a stone for the last hole in the wall. I was about to push it in when I heard a low laugh from behind the stones.   The laugh made the hair on my head stand up. Then Fortunato spoke, in a sad voice that no longer sounded like him. He said, "Well, you have played a good joke on me. We will laugh about it soon over a glass of that Amontillado. But isn't it getting late. My wife and my friends will be waiting for us. Let us go." "Yes," I replied, "let us go." I waited for him to say something else. I heard only my own breathing. "Fortunato!" I called. No answer. I called again. "Fortunato!"  Still no answer. I hurried to put the last stone into the wall and put the cement around it. Then I pushed the pile of bones in front of the new wall I had built. That was fifty years ago. For half a century now, no one has touched those bones. "May he rest in peace!"

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