Learning English

Mariam
Hello, I'm Mariam. Today I've got a story set in England in the 1800s – it's about a young woman who's not afraid to speak her mind and who discovers that romance is not as simple as seems!

This woman is called Emma – she lives in a small village right in the middle of the English countryside. She's pretty, smart and a strong and independent woman in her own right. When she's not out socialising, she looks after her elderly father. She thinks life is OK but would like a bit more excitement and fun. She enjoys her carefree lifestyle and has vowed never to settle down and get married so instead she decides to make friends with a younger woman called Harriet and help her find a husband.  

So she sets out to make Harriet a 'gentleman's wife' and to teach her about the right type of man to marry. She tells her to set her sights on the town's clergyman, Mr Elton. But it turns out Mr Elton is in love with Emma – or at least her money. So her plan has failed.

Then the handsome Frank Churchill arrives and Emma, herself, starts to fall in love with him. She flirts with him and he does seem to be interested in Emma. But a good friend of hers, Mr Knightley, gives her some advice, telling her that it is not right to behave like that and also that Frank is not to be trusted. She then decides that perhaps Frank could be the perfect man for Harriet.

Well, love can be a tricky thing, especially when someone is trying to control it! Join me again in part two to find out if Emma – and Harriet – finally find true love. See you then.