Tiny Devices for Studying the Brain From the Inside

In the future, very small wireless devices could be placed inside human brains to study and stimulate brain cells. That is the goal of researchers at the University of California, Berkeley. University researchers have created extremely small sensors, called neural dust, to study brain cells. The word neural describes something related to the body’s nervous system. The researchers hope these sensors will treat conditions of the brain such as epilepsy. The sensors also could improve the brain’s control of the devices used to replace missing or injured parts of the body, called prosthetics. In 2003, Jan Scheuermann permanently lost the ability to move her arms and legs because of a disease called spinocerebellar degeneration. But she was able to feed herself using a robotic hand controlled by her thoughts in 2012. Doctors connected a sensor to her brain using wires. The sensor received the commands from her brain and sent them to the robotic device. Tiny wireless devices could be safer Wires, however, can cause inflammation in the brain. University of California engineers hope to replace the technology Scheuermann used in 2012 with neural dust sensors. These sensors are smaller than a single piece of rice and use no wires. Instead, the wireless sensors change high-frequency sound waves, transmitted by a device outside the body, into electricity. The electricity powers the sensors that then can identify changes in the muscles or nerves to which they are attached. Finally the sensors send this information back to the device that first sent the sound waves. Researchers attached neural dust sensors to nerves and muscles in the legs of rats and studied the signals the sensors produced. The scientists hope to place neural dust directly into the brain in the future. They want to study brain function and hope the sensors will make it possible for people to use robotic prosthetics without being connected to a computer through wires. Michael Maharbiz is one of the University of California researchers working on the technology. He says these new kinds of prosthetics could take many forms and serve many different functions. He also says neural dust could operate in a similar way to devices called Fitbits. Fitbits are worn on a person’s arm. They monitor physical activity as well as body functions such as heart rate. Maharbiz says neural dust could act like a Fitbit inside the body that monitors nerve, muscle and organ activity as it is taking place. However, the sensors must be made even smaller to use in the brain. Scientists now are working to create neural dust that is thinner than a piece of human hair. I’m Pete Musto.   Deborah Block reported on this story for VOA News. Pete Musto adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. What new technologies do you think humanity with invent in the near future? How do you think these new technologies will change the world? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story stimulate – v. to make something more active sensor – n. a device that can sense light, heat, sound, motion and provide information about it Inflammation – n. swelling of tissue high-frequency – adj. waves that occur very quickly function – n. a purpose or activity done by someone or something monitor – v. to observe, to watch or record

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Taiwan Asks Google to Make Images of Disputed Island Unclear

Taiwan has asked Google to blur, or make unclear, satellite images showing a disputed landform in the South China Sea. The images appear to show military installations on Itu Aba, which the Taiwanese call Taiping Island. The latest images on the map application Google Earth show four Y-shaped structures forming a half circle on Itu Aba. The structures did not appear on earlier Google Map images. Itu Aba is one of many islands, reefs, and other landforms in the disputed Spratly Islands chain in the South China Sea. Taiwan’s Coast Guard directly administers Itu Aba, but it is also claimed by China, Vietnam and the Philippines. Taiwan’s defense ministry confirmed it had contacted Google after local media published the images. “Under the pre-condition of protecting military secrets and security, we have requested Google blur images of important military facilities,” a defense ministry spokesman said. A Google spokesperson told VOA on Thursday it takes security concerns “very seriously” and is “always willing to discuss them with public agencies and officials.” But Google added that discussions with governments in the past have never led to images being blurred. Google’s parent company is Alphabet, Inc. Defense and coast guard officials said details about the structures are secret. “It is inconvenient for us to ­reveal any military facilities we are installing on Taiping Island and what their purposes are,” Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan told The South China Morning Post. Taiwan says it operates a small military airport on Itu Aba. There is also a 10-bed hospital, a lighthouse and $129 million worth of solar panels. Defense experts in Taiwan said the new images appear to be related to defense activities. Dustin Wang is a scholar and former government advisor who has regularly visited Itu Aba. He told Reuters news service he thinks the structures would be used for military purposes. “But I cannot tell if it is for defending, attacking or monitoring,” he said. China claims much of the South China Sea, an important seaway through which more than $5 trillion of trade moves each year. Taiwan and four ASEAN members - Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei – also have claims in the sea. China’s activities in the South China Sea have increased tensions with its neighbors and the United States and Japan. China has reclaimed land on several disputed reefs through dredging, and built air fields and port facilities. In July, an international court ruled against China in a case brought by the Philippines. The court rejected China's historical claims to large areas of the South China Sea. Both China and Taiwan, which China considers a rebel province, rejected the ruling. I’m Caty Weaver.   Bryan Lynn wrote this report for VOA Learning English. His report was based on stories from Reuters and The South China Morning Post newspaper. Mario Ritter was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   blur – v. to make an image unclear installation – n. a military or industrial complex chain – n. a series or group of things connected in some way facility – n. something (such as a building or large piece of equipment) that is built for a specific purpose​ reveal – v. to make (something) known​ monitor – v. to watch, observe, listen to, or check (something) for a special purpose over a period of time​ inconvenient – adj. not easy; causing trouble or problems dredging – v. to dig out and clear material from a body of water We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

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Goodbye, Summer. Hello, Autumn. Or Is It Fall?

Now the VOA Learning English program, Words and Their Stories. This is the program that explores the origin and uses of popular words and expressions in American English. Today, we are going to talk about “autumn.” In half of the world, summer has come to an end. Swimming pools have closed. Children are back in school. The days grow shorter, and the weather cooler. In many parts of the United States, trees appear on fire as their leaves turn brilliant shades of gold, orange and red. From the Pacific Northwest to New England to the Mid-Atlantic and Appalachian states -- the autumn leaf-changing scenery is breath-taking. Autumn is also called “fall.” This is probably because it is the time when trees lose their leaves and they fall to the ground. During fall, children around the United States love to gather leaves into large piles and jump into them. But why do we have two names for one season? In the English language, calling the season “autumn” first began in the 12th century. But the word was not commonly used until about the 16th​ century. This is about the same time that people began using the word “fall” to mean autumn. However, even earlier, the season was called “harvest.” In the early days of the United States, autumn was a time for preparing for the winter months by collecting and preserving food. People gathered corn, nuts and berries. They also dried and salted meats to feed them through the long, cold winter. In modern times, refrigeration, grocery stores and pizza delivery help us survive through winter. But in autumn we still need to prepare. If you have a fireplace or a wood stove in your home, you will collect, chop or buy firewood. You may also need to prepare your home by fixing or weather-proofing doors and windows. If you have a car, you make sure the tires and fluids are also ready for the cold winter months. These preparations are called winterizing. Actually, many people winterize their wardrobes, too. They put away their lightweight summer clothes and flip flops, and bring out their coats, sweaters and boots. To prepare for the winter months, some animals gather food. The squirrel is well known for its skill in this activity. Squirrels gather and store seeds and nuts in their nests. They search the ground for fallen nuts. They pick nuts from tree limbs, sometimes throwing them down to the ground below. This hoarding helps them survive the winter. And it gives us a common expression. To squirrel something away means to save it for future use. Things you squirrel away become your stash. We often use this expression when talking about money and food. But any resource you may need later can be squirreled away. For example, a child might squirrel away chocolate, hiding their stash from brothers and sisters. This guarantees the child can satisfy their sweet tooth at any time. Unlike squirrels, you can squirrel things away during any time of the year. Also, unlike squirrels -- who are furry flurries of activity during the autumn -- many people slow down during this time. The expression autumn years refers to the later years of a person’s life, especially after a person has stopped working. For example, “She worked hard her entire life. She saved her money and invested it wisely. So, she was able to enjoy her autumn years in comfort. She was finally able to travel around the world.” This time of life can also be called “twilight years.” Regardless of your age, autumn can be a sad time for gardeners. People who spent the entire summer cultivating their gardens may feel sad to see the empty garden beds of autumn. The poem “September Tomatoes” is for those people. (("September Tomatoes” by Karina Borowicz)) The whiskey stink of rot has settled in the garden, and a burst of fruit flies rises when I touch the dying tomato plants.   Still, the claws of tiny yellow blossoms flail in the air as I pull the vines up by the roots and toss them in the compost.   It feels cruel. Something in me isn’t ready to let go of summer so easily. To destroy what I’ve carefully cultivated all these months. Those pale flowers might still have time to fruit.   My great-grandmother sang with the girls of her village as they pulled the flax. Songs so old and so tied to the season that the very sound seemed to turn the weather. As summer ends, so does this episode of Words and Their Stories. And like summer, we will return, not in a year, but rather next week! I’m Anna Matteo.   Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. Paula Cole sang “Autumn Leaves” at the end. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Stories   brilliant – adj. (of light or color) very bright and radiant. scenery – n. view of natural features (such as mountains, hills or valleys) that is pleasing to look at preserve – v. to prevent (food) from decaying winterize – v. to make (something) able to resist the effects of winter weather wardrobe – n. a collection of clothes that a person owns or wears flip flops – n.  a type of loose rubber sandal hoard – v. to collect and hide a large amount of (something valuable) stash – n. an amount of something that is stored or hidden sweet tooth – n. a liking for sweet foods furry – adj. covered with fur flurry – n. a brief period of excitement or activity cultivate – v. to prepare and use (soil) for growing plants whiskey – n. a strong alcoholic drink made from a grain (such as rye, corn, or barley) claw – n. a body part of an animal (such as a lobster or crab) that is used for gripping and holding things : Note: in the poem, the plants are given “claws,” an animal feature, to show they are hanging on. blossom – n. a flower especially of a fruit tree compost – n. a decayed mixture of plants (such as leaves and grass) that is used to improve the soil in a garden cruel – adj. causing or helping to cause suffering flax – n. a plant that has blue flowers and that is grown for its fiber and its seed  

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Suicides Leave Lasting Effects on Friends, Family

September is suicide prevention month in the United States. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers suicide a worldwide problem. WHO reports that 800,000 people take their own lives each year. On average, a person commits suicide every 40 seconds, it said. WHO officials say suicides have long-lasting effects on the family members and friends left behind. People not only feel very sad about the death, but feel guilt for not taking action they think might have prevented the suicide. A Woman Who Lost Her Father and Son to Suicide Dorothy Paugh was nine years old when her father shot himself to death. “I count that day as the last day of my childhood,” Paugh said. “Because from that moment on, I had no sense of security. I had no sense that the world was a safe place.” She made her comments as she stood near her father’s burial place at Arlington National Cemetery, just outside of Washington D.C. It is where American war veterans are buried. Her father served in the U.S. military during World War II. Dorothy Paugh’s life was shaken again -- 50 years after her dad’s suicide. Her son Peter bought a gun for protection. Peter would go on to take his life at the age of 25. Paugh looks at a photograph of her son. “This is my favorite picture of Peter because he has a hint of a smile,” she said. Paugh said it is important that people not see those who take their own lives as cowards. “Because my father was brave,” she said. “He fought in World War II….I think he just got overwhelmed.” Veterans Trying to Stop Suicides Seven hundred fifty U.S. military veterans rode bicycles 110 miles from Arlington, Virginia to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. They wanted to bring attention to the continuing problem of suicides. One of the riders was retired Army Sergeant Norberto Roman of Puerto Rico. “Our mission is to stop the suicides,” he said. Suicide is a very personal to Roman. “I tried to commit suicide myself in Iraq and I went through eight years of hell, through PTSD treatment and I’m blessed to be here today,” he said. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is known by the letters PTSD. The National Institute of Mental Health describes it as a condition suffered by individuals who experienced a shocking, frightening or dangerous event. More Action is Needed The World Health Organization said in its recent report that more action can be taken to reduce suicides. Many people who commit suicide do so by swallowing poison, using a gun or taking an overdose of drugs, WHO officials said. They added that people should try harder to keep those things away from individuals who might use them to hurt themselves or others. It would also be helpful to reduce the stigma of suicide, WHO said. A stigma is when people have a poor or bad opinion about something, often for no good reason. The stigma makes people afraid to ask for help when they are thinking of taking their own lives, the WHO report said. Paugh, who lost her father and son to suicide, now works to inform people about the problem. She urges them to take action if they have reason to think a friend or relative is considering suicide. “If we think someone may be troubled, ask them outright if they are having thoughts of suicide,” Paugh said. It is not an easy discussion, but it is much better “than a funeral,” she added. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 15-29 years old, according to the World Health Organization. I’m Bruce Alpert.   Carol Pearson reported this story for VOANews.com. Bruce Alpert adapted the story and did additional reporting for Learning English. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in this Story   commit -- v. to say you will do something moment -- n. a particular time hint -- n. a very small amount of something coward -- n. someone who is too afraid to do what is right or expected overwhelmed -- v. to affect someone very strongly bicycle -- n. a 2-wheeled vehicle that a person rides by pushing on foot pedals mission -- n. a task or job that someone is given to do  

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September 23, 2016

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

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The Relaxing Waters of Hot Springs National Park

  Sometimes a visit to a national park means hiking rugged trails and climbing high mountains. Other times it means crawling through caves or rafting down a wild river. But this week we want to take it easier. So we head south to the state of Arkansas. It is home to a national park that is perfect for resting and renewing a tired body. Visitors treat themselves to one of its natural thermal baths. Humans have been enjoying the warm waters for thousands of years. Welcome to Hot Springs National Park! Most national parks are far from cities and industry. But Hot Springs is different. It covers more than 2,200 hectares in and around the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Congress approved special protection of the area in 1832. Known unofficially as “America’s Spa,” it became a national park in 1921. The park’s geothermal springs and other resources have long been used for therapeutic bathing. The average temperature of the hot springs is 61 degrees Celsius. The thermal mineral waters reportedly help ease many health problems, including arthritis and rheumatism. The springs emerge along the western edge of Hot Springs Mountain. Scientists say the hot springs are made of rainwater that fell in the Hot Springs area thousands of years ago. The rainwater slowly dripped down to the earth’s crust. When water rises back up to the surface quickly, and does not have a chance to cool, hot springs form. Hot Springs National Park's earliest bathhouses were simple structures. They were made of canvas and lumber. They were built right over some of the natural springs. Later, businessmen built more complex wooden structures. But, those structures were frequently damaged by fires and from exposure to water and steam. Beginning in the early 1900s, stone, stucco and brick structures replaced the wooden bathhouse buildings. These large -- and much more elaborate -- structures still stand today along what is known as Bathhouse Row. These bathhouses were built along the eastern bank of Hot Springs Creek. The hot water from the hillside springs flows down a system of wooden troughs and into the buildings. Each spring was said to help cure different kinds of conditions. Some of the early names referred to their chemical properties. Others were named after the part of the body that its waters could best help. There once was a spring called Kidney, and another named Liver. Eight bathhouse buildings line Bathhouse Row today. They are very large. Many of them are three levels. But most of them no longer offer therapeutic water treatments. Instead, they house park shops and the visitor’s center. But one has remained open for more than 100 years. The Buckstaff Bathhouse has operated continuously since 1912. It is one of the best preserved bathhouses within Hot Springs National Park. Visitors today can enjoy traditional thermal mineral baths. The baths are different temperatures and have different properties. Another bathhouse offers a more modern spa experience. Quapaw Baths and Spa also sits along Bathhouse Row. It was renovated and reopened in 2007, on Hot Springs’ 175th anniversary. When you are done with your relaxing bath, there is still more to enjoy at Hot Springs National Park. Visitors can hike along the more than 43 kilometers of trails in the park. You will find unusual rock formations and views of the surrounding rolling hills. The landscape also provides evidence of the area’s hot spring history. On the Tufa Terrace Trail, you will see the huge deposits of tufa, created by the flowing springs over thousands of years. Tufa is a kind of rock shaped by water. But you do not have to hike to see the sights. There are beautiful mountain roads to drive, as well. However you explore Hot Springs National Park, you can't help but relax. I'm Caty Weaver.  And I'm Ashley Thompson.    Ashley Thompson wrote this report with materials from the National Park Service. Caty Weaver was the editor.  ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   rheumatism - n. a disease that causes stiffness and pain in the muscles and swelling and pain in the joints emerge - v. to rise or appear from a hidden or unknown place or condition lumber - n. ​wooden boards or logs that have been sawed and cut for use​ exposure - n. ​the fact or condition of being affected by something or experiencing something​ elaborate - adj. made or done with great care or with much detail creek - n. ​a small stream trough - n. ​a long, shallow container​

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In Northern Mali, Youth Feel Left Out of Progress

The West African nation of Mali has experienced major changes since 2012. The changes have included a military overthrow of the government, a presidential election and a foreign military operation against Islamist rebels in the country’s north. A peace agreement designed to end the conflict in Mali was reached in 2015. But many young people there feel left out of the promised benefits of peace. Protest and violence Recently, demonstrations took place in northern cities such as Gao and Timbuktu. Protesters held signs saying “trop c’est trop” -- the French expression for “enough is enough.” That saying has become the slogan of their movement. In July, government security forces shot at protesters, killing three and wounding more than 30. The detention of popular radio personality Mohamed Youssouf Bathily led to more protests. He was arrested for condemning corruption in the government. Adboulaye Coulibaly Fama took part in the protests. He said that the demonstrations showed the deep dissatisfaction of young people in Mali. “There are many incidents lately which are a sign of a widespread malaise that characterizes the Malian population,” he said. “He [Bathily] should not have been arrested in the first place. His release…shows a weak government - a government which cannot take responsibility - a government Malian people cannot trust.” Similarly, a young man from Gao criticized Mali’s president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. He told VOA Afrique it is a failure of the government that the city of Kidal is still not under their control. “The state does not want to take responsibility. I really think these three years have been wasted,” the young man added. Observers believe that the main concerns in Mali are linked to governance and dissatisfaction with the peace agreement. Kamissa Camara is an expert on politics in West and Central Africa. She works for the Washington-based National Endowment for Democracy. Camara said that the young people in Mali’s North believe they were important during the crisis of 2012, but largely ignored during the peace process. “They were protecting communities from the rebels, from the jihadists,” she said. “And because they played such a huge role in stabilizing northern Mali, when the government of Mali signed a peace agreement with the rebels, the youth thought or felt that they were being put aside. They were sidelined by the agreement when they should have also been part of the peace benefits.” There is widespread anger among the youth that the former rebels were promised assistance for disarming and rejoining society. The former rebels received job training and stipends through an internationally-funded process, but non-fighters were largely left out of this process. Kamissa Camara said the young people are also angry about former rebels being named to leadership positions in Gao. “The rebels, the people who picked up the arms and raped women in northern Mali defeated the Malian army - killed Malian soldiers - are the ones being rewarded when they, the youth, played a positive role in stabilizing northern Mali and didn’t get the result and didn’t get rewarded for that,” she said. Years of violence in the north have damaged an already weak economy. The World Bank says youth employment is only at 10.5% in Mali. “What the youth are looking for is to be reintegrated into the civil service, for example, and to actually get jobs the same way these rebels are being rewarded right now,” Camara said. Youth joining militant groups The dissatisfaction among the youth in Mali’s north has led some to join militant groups. The militants offer them pay and a sense of community. The Al-Qaida-linked group Ansar Dine and the Movement for Unity and Jihad and in West Africa (MUJAO) have repeatedly launched attacks in the north since 2012. Lori-Anne Theroux-Benoni is a researcher with the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) based in Dakar, Senegal. She and a research team from ISS prepared a report called “Mali’s Young Jihadist." The report has testimony from 63 young Malians who are a part of extremist groups, including 19 who are in jail. Its aim was to examine the reasons young people join jihadist groups. The researchers identified 15 factors that lead to youth involvement. Some of the reasons are emotional, historical or political. In addition, some young people are forced to join. Theroux-Benoni said the popular belief is that youth often join extremist groups because of religion or money. But she says this is not true for many young people. “For some of the youth that we spoke with, the reason for joining was to protect cattle in the region of Mopti. For other young people, it was really the fact that the groups were actually providing security and rule of law,” she said. The report also found that there is a link between unemployment and extremism. But that link is not always so clear. One former extremist joined so he could pay for all the costs of getting married. Another said he joined because he was persuaded by jihadist propaganda videos. “It’s important not to think of the factors as factors that work on their own. Most of the factors actually interact with each other,” Theroux-Benoni said. I’m Patrick Merentie. And I'm Alice Bryant.   Salem Solomon reported this story for VOANews.com. Patrick Merentie adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. How about the youth in your country? Are they part of your country’s progress or are they struggling? Write to us in the Comments Section. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   benefit – n. a good or helpful result or effect slogan – n. a word or phrase that is easy to remember and is used by a group or business to attract attention malaise – n. a problem or condition that harms or weakens a group, society, etc. characterize – n. to describe the character or special qualities of (someone or something) stipend – n. a usually small amount of money that is paid regularly to someone stabilize – v. to stop quickly changing, increasing or getting worse testimony – n. something that someone says especially in court of law while formally promising to tell the truth factor – n. something that someone says especially in a court of law while formally promising to tell the truth

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500 Million Yahoo Accounts Attacked

This is What’s Trending Today. The American company Yahoo says someone or a group of people may have stolen information from at least 500 million of its users in 2014. The company reported the security problem on Thursday. It said computer hackers took “certain user account information,” such as email addresses, telephone numbers, and dates of birth. On Friday, people used social media to talk about the theft. Computer experts say people who have a Yahoo account should change their passwords if they have not done so since 2014. The company said its investigation shows that the attack came from “what it believes is a state-sponsored actor” based outside the United States. Yahoo said the person or persons who copied the information received help from a foreign government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation says it is investigating the theft. One Twitter user commented on the news. She admitted she sometimes uses older equipment when sending information to others. “People laugh when I tell them I still have a fax machine,” Susan Polakoff Shaw wrote. “But you can’t hack a fax.”  A fax machine uses telephone lines to send printed pages from one connected machine to another. Another person on social media wrote a message to the hackers, asking if they could help him find his Yahoo password. “If you find mine, can you tell me? It’s been lost since I last cleared my cookies.”  Michael Gartenberg writes about modern technology. He wondered if news of the hack may have been a “clever way to get 500m users to log into their Yahoo! Mail accounts.”  The comments point out that many people no longer consider Yahoo an important internet company. In the late 1990s, so many people used Yahoo’s web search and email services that it was worth an estimated $125 billion. But its popularity has dropped. Earlier this year, Yahoo agreed to be sold to Verizon Communications for $4.8 billion. And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. Have you updated your Yahoo password? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story password – n. a secret series of numbers or letters that allows you to use a computer system hacker – n. a person who secretly gets access to a computer system in order to get information, cause damage, etc. : a person who hacks into a computer system fax – n. a system for sending and receiving printed materials (such as documents and drawings) and photographs using telephone lines cookies – n. a file that may be added to your computer when you visit a Web site and that contains information about you (such as an identification code or a record of the Web pages you have visited)

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'The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky' by Stephen Crane: Part One

From VOA Learning English, this is American Stories! Our story is called "The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky." It was written by Stephen Crane. We will listen to the story in two parts. Today we will hear the first part of the story.  "The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky" The great train was rushing forward such steady dignity of motion that a glance from the window seemed simply to prove that the flatlands of Texas were pouring toward the east. A newly married pair had come on this train at San Antonio. The man’s face was reddened from many days in the wind and sun. His roughened hands were continually moving over his new black clothes in a most nervous manner. From time to time he looked down respectfully at his suit. He sat with a hand on each knee, like a man waiting in a shop for a haircut. The glances he gave to other passengers were few and quick. The bride was not pretty, nor was she very young. She wore a dress of blue with many buttons. She continually turned her head to regard some part or other of her dress. It made her feel strange. One could tell that she had cooked and that she expected to cook, dutifully. The searching glances of some of the passengers as she had entered the car had brought the blood rushing to her face. Her uncomfortable expression was strange to see upon this plain face, which was usually calm and almost emotionless. They were evidently very happy. “Ever been in a train like this before?” he asked, smiling with delight. “No,” she answered, “I never was. It’s fine, isn’t it?” “Great! After a while we’ll go forward to the dining car and get a big dinner. Finest meal in the world. Costs a dollar.” “Oh, it does?” cried the bride. “A dollar? Oh, that’s too much for us, isn’t it, Jack?” “Not on this trip, at least,” he answered bravely. “We’re going to enjoy ourselves.” Later he explained to her about the trains. “You see, it’s a thousand miles from one end of Texas to the other. The train runs straight across it, and only stops four times.” He had the pride of an owner. He pointed out to her the beauty of the car they were riding in. And in truth her eyes opened wider as she observed the rich, sea-green cloth covering the seats, the shining silver and glass, the wood that shone darkly like the surface of a pool of oil. To the minds of the pair, their surroundings repeated the glory of their wedding that morning in San Antonio. This was the spirit of their new life, and the man’s face in particular shone with a joy that made him appear foolish to certain passengers. In the minds of some, there was supposed to be something hugely funny in the pair’s situation. “We are due in Yellow Sky at 3:42,” he said, looking tenderly into her eyes. “Oh, are we?” she said, as if she had not been aware of it. To show surprise at her husband’s remark was part of her wifely duty. She took from a pocket a little silver watch. As she held it before her, and stared at it with a look of attention, the new husband’s face shone. “I bought it in San Antonio from a friend of mine,” he told her proudly. “It’s 17 minutes past 12,” she said, looking up at him with a happy expression which, nevertheless, showed a lack of experience in conversing with men. A passenger, observing her small nervousness, laughed to himself. At last they went to the dining car. The man serving their table happened to take pleasure in directing them through their meal. He viewed them with the manner of a fatherly guide, his face shining with kindness. But they did not understand his attentions. As they returned to their seats, they showed in their faces a sense of escape. It was evident that, as the distance from Yellow Sky grew shorter, the husband became more nervous. His red hands were even more noticeable. He was rather absent-minded and faraway when the bride leaned forward and spoke to him. As a matter of truth, Jack Potter was beginning to find his deed weighing upon him like a great stone. He, the town policeman of Yellow Sky, was a man known, liked, and feared in his community. He, an important person, had gone to San Antonio to meet a girl he believed he loved. And there he had actually married her without discussing any part of the matter with Yellow Sky. He was now bringing his bride to a sure-to-be-surprised town. Of course, people in Yellow Sky married as it pleased them. But Potter’s thoughts of his duty to his friends, or of their idea of his duty, made him feel he was sinful. He was guilty of a great and unusual crime. Face to face with this girl in San Antonio, he had leaped over all the social fences. At San Antonio he was like a man hidden in the dark. A knife to cut any friendly duty was easy to take in his hand in that distant city. But the hour of Yellow Sky, the hour of daylight, was approaching. He knew very well that his wedding was an important thing to the town. It could only be equaled by the burning of the new hotel. His friends could not forgive him, he felt. And now the train was hurrying him toward a scene of surprise, merriment, and blame. He glanced out of the window again. Yellow Sky had a kind of band, which played its horns and drums painfully, to the delight of the people. He laughed without heart as he thought of it. If the citizens could dream of his arrival with his bride, they would march the band at the station and accompany them, among cheers and laughter, to his house. He decided that he would use all methods of speed and cleverness in making the journey from the station to his house. Once safely at home, he would announce the news. Then he would not go among the citizens until they’d had time to master their emotions. The bride looked anxiously at him. “What’s worrying you, Jack?” He laughed. “I’m not worrying, girl. I’m only thinking of Yellow Sky.” She understood, and her face turned red again. They shared a sense of slight guilt that developed a finer tenderness. They looked at each other with eyes softly glowing. But Potter often laughed the same nervous laugh. The deep red color upon the bride’s face did not lessen. “We’re nearly there,” he said. As the train began to slow, they moved forward in the car. The long line of cars moved into the station of Yellow Sky. “The train has to get water here,” said Potter, from a tight throat and face, as one announcing death. Before the train stopped, his eye had searched the station, and he was glad and surprised to see there was no one there except the station master. “Come on, girl,” said Potter with a thick voice. As he helped her down, they each laughed in a strained manner. He took her bag and told his wife to hold his arm. As they hurried away he saw that the station master had turned and was running toward them, waving his arms. Potter laughed, and sighed as he laughed, when he realized the first effect of his wedding upon Yellow Sky. He grasped his wife’s arm firmly to his side and they hurried away. The California train was due at Yellow Sky in 21 minutes. There were six men in the Weary Gentleman Saloon. One was a salesman who talked a great deal and rapidly; three were Texans who did not care to talk at that time; and two were Mexican sheep farmers who did not usually talk in the saloon. The saloon-keeper’s dog lay in front of the door. His head was resting on his feet, and he glanced sleepily here and there with the ready watchfulness of a dog that is sometimes kicked. Across the sandy street were some bright green, grass spots, so wonderful in appearance next to burning sands in the hot sun. At the cooler side of the railroad station, a man without a coat sat in a chair leaned back against the building. He smoked his pipe. The waters of the Rio Grande river circled near the town, and beyond it could be seen great flatlands. Except for the busy salesman and his companions in the saloon, Yellow Sky was sleeping. The salesman leaned easily upon a table and told many tales with the confidence of a story teller who has found new listeners. He was interrupted by a young man who suddenly appeared in the open door. He cried, “Scratchy Wilson’s drunk, and has started to make trouble.” The two Mexicans at once put down their glasses and disappeared through the rear door of the saloon. The salesman, not understanding the importance of the warning, jokingly answered, “All right, old man. Suppose he has? Come in and have a drink anyhow.” But the information had made such an apparent impression upon everyone in the room that the salesman was forced to see its importance. All had become instantly serious. “Well,” he said, filled with mystery, “what is this?” His three companions started to tell him, but the young man at the door stopped them.” “It means, my friend,” he answered as he came into the saloon, “that for the next two hours this town won’t be very healthy.” The saloon-keeper went to the door and locked it. Reaching out of the window, he pulled in heavy wooden boards, which covered the windows and locked there. The salesman was looking from one to another. “What is this, anyhow?” he cried. “You don’t mean there is going to be a gun-fight?” Come back to American Stories next week for the second half of "The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky" by Stephen Crane.   Now it's your turn to use the words in this story. Do you enjoy movies about cowboys? Can you imagine a town like Yellow Sky? How do you think the people in Yellow Sky feel about Jack Potter? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. Teachers, view the lesson plan here.  Try the listening quiz to see how well you understand Part One of the story.  ​ ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   aware - adj. knowing that something (such as a situation, condition, or problem) exists bride - n. a woman who has just married or is about to be married dignity - n. the quality of being worthy of honor or respect grasp - v. to understand (something that is complicated or difficult) merriment - n. laughter and enjoyment saloon - n. a business where alcoholic drinks are served

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Virginia Bookstore Finds the Secret to Success

  A large bookstore in a small U.S. town has succeeded for many years by giving people a chance to buy a lot of books for a low price. The large and simple bookstore is in the small eastern town of Mount Crawford, Virginia. The Green Valley Book Fair is made up of two large storage buildings totaling 2,300 square meters. Some customers like Zoe Dellinger have been buying books at the store for many years. “I was coming here since I was in my early 20s. The thrill of finding a new book is very serendipitous here because you can’t come and say ‘I’m buying the new Nicholas Sparks book today.’ That’s not what this place is about -- this place is about finding wonderful treasures.” And those treasures are not costly. “I found a wonderful book that I wanted. It was very expensive at the time -- 25, 26 dollars was expensive for me to purchase a new book. I found the book here for five dollars. I was so excited, so that has kept me coming back just to see what treasures I'll find.” The Green Valley Book Fair has 500,000 new and old books about politics, religion, science, travel, cooking and many other subjects. Michele Branner is the manager of the store. “My parents actually started this bookstore about 46 years ago. My dad collected old books and then decided that he wanted to sell some of them. And it went so well it’s just kind of evolved to what it is today.” The bookstore is only open six times a year for three weeks. About 25,000 people visit during each period. The store sells about $2 million worth of books every year. “We buy our books at a fraction of retail and we can sell them for the prices that we do and keep our overhead low. That’s why we, we don’t have any fancy buildings or anything like that.” People have visited the store from many American states and from Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Russia. Tom Whitton is from the eastern city of Bristol, Connecticut.   “We have our whole family with us this time. So we said ‘Oh you gotta see this book fair,’ and so we brought 'em all here today. It meets every family’s need that likes to read.” I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise.   VOA Correspondent June Soh reported this story from Mount Crawford, Virginia. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report 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   thrill – n. a feeling of great excitement or happiness; a very exciting or enjoyable event or experience serendipitous – adj. luck that takes the form of finding valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for treasure – n. something that is very special, important or valuable expensive - adj. costing a lot of money​ evolve – v. to change or develop slowly often into a better, more complex or more advanced state; to develop by a process of evolution fraction – n. a small part or amount of something overhead - n.  costs for rent, heat, electricity, etc., that a business must pay and that are not related to what the business sells fancy – adj. not plain or ordinary

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English @ the Movies: 'More To You Than Meets The Eye'

Our English @ the Movies phrase today is "more to you than meets the eye." The movie is "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them--" from the author of Harry Potter. It involves a wizard having adventures in New York City. Watch to see what "more to you than meets the eye" means.

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