My old friend. (Recorded.)

English as a Second Language Listening, speaking, pronunciation and accent
1

They’re cutting down my tree today,
They say he’s far too tall.
I just can’t bear to watch them,
Can’t bear to see him fall.

For he’s been my friend
Such a long long time now,
And I’ve sheltered in his shade,
On a sunny day and when skies were grey
I’ve never felt afraid.

They tell me that he’s dangerous
And will surely one day fall,
So they’re cutting down this friend of mine,
So strong and straight and tall.

They’re cutting off his branches,
He waves to me, “Goodbye”,
The people walk into their homes,
I hear a grown-up cry.

Branches where birds built their homes,
And sang the hours away,
Where they would sit and wake me,
On a glorious Summer’s day.

The axe is falling, sharp and true,
It’s done this work before.
It pays no heed to his cries of pain,
As he falls…to the floor.

Kitos.

2

very nice short story :slight_smile:
please respond to my voice message and rate my pronoun-cation … do i speak fluently?

3

Hello Kitosdad,

What do you mean by tree here? What does your tree symbolize?

Why do you say “The people walk into their homes, I hear a grown-up cry.”?

4

Good morning Mohammad. The tree is simply that … a tree. It has stood here in our garden for many years and is now about fifty feet tall. Although it is growing straight up it is considered to be something of a danger to other people, although I see no problem with such a lovely tree.
I wrote this poem during the last summer, so it is really no longer relevant. The tree is still there, untouched, and the the remainder of the story is pure imagination of mine. The grown-up crying would be me in the event that it was ever cut down in my lifetime.

5

Such a lovely and adorable Grandpa! The stories and poems of yours about little children, nature, seasons, pets…illustrate this well. ^^
This poem is one of them. ^^ a nice one ^^

6

They’re cutting down my tree today,
They say he’s far too tall.
I just can’t bear to watch them,
Can’t bear to see him fall.

For he’s been my friend
Such a long long time now,
And I’ve sheltered in his shade,
On a sunny day and when skies were grey
I’ve never felt afraid.

They tell me that he’s dangerous
And will surely one day fall,
So they’re cutting down this friend of mine,
So strong and straight and tall.

They’re cutting off his branches,
He waves to me, “Goodbye”,
The people walk into their homes,
I hear a grown-up cry.

Branches where birds built their homes,
And sang the hours away,
Where they would sit and wake me,
On a glorious Summer’s day.

The axe is falling, sharp and true,
It’s done this work before.
It pays no heed to his cries of pain,
As he falls…to the floor.

7

Thanks Richard. Of all the stories I have written whilst being here of the Forum, my favourite has to be “The Captain.” Although only a short story it captures my feelings every time I recall it. Two people, true soul-mates. What could be better!

8

hello Mr.kitosdad
u did ignore my comment :frowning: … i think that i did something wrong but i don’t know what is it because u did ignore my essay when i wrote it wrong … so what is the problem here ?
please can anyone tell me … is there any instruction that i can read before i post in listening section ? :frowning:

9

There is no problem SC, Are you sure you posted the message correctly?

Sometimes you overlook the fact that we are in different parts of the world, therefore your essay could be posted when I am in bed, and should someone else reply to it before I do, then I consider it to have been attended to.

10

Please listen to my recording and respond with a voice message too. Many thanks.