Preview:
Improve your English listening and reading skills with this adapted version of O. Henry’s Hearts and Hands.
This A2-level story includes a clear, simple vocabulary, natural modern expressions, and an audio version for easy listening practice.
Perfect for self-study or classroom use — read the story, listen to the narration, and answer the comprehension questions to check your understanding.
Hearts and Hands
(adapted by GPT for A2 level)
Story
At the train station in Denver, many people got on the East train.
In one coach, there was a young woman. She was very pretty and wore nice clothes.
She looked calm and rich, like someone who travels a lot.
Two men came in next.
One looked friendly and handsome.
The other looked tired and angry, and his clothes were old.
The two men were handcuffedtogether.
The only free seat was in front of the young woman, so they sat there.
The woman looked at them, then suddenly smiled.
“Hey! Mr. Easton! Long time no see!” she said.
“Don’t you know your old friends from Washington?”
Easton looked surprised, then smiled back.
“Oh! Miss Fairchild!” he said.
“Sorry, I can’t shake your hand. My right hand is kind of busy right now.”
He lifted his right hand. She saw the metal handcuffs and turned pale.
Before she could speak, the rough man next to Easton said,
“Excuse me, miss. I see you know the marshal here.
Maybe you can ask him to say a good word for me when we get to prison.
I’m going to Leavenworth — seven years for making fake money.”
“Oh!” said Miss Fairchild, and her face turned pink again.
“So, Mr. Easton, you are a marshal now! How exciting!”
“Yes,” said Easton, smiling.
“I had to find some work. You know how money flies away.
And in Washington, it takes a lot to keep up with people.
A marshal’s job isn’t so bad.”
“The ambassador doesn’t visit anymore,” said Miss Fairchild softly.
“You don’t need to worry about that.
It’s great that you do something real now — riding, helping people, catching bad guys.
It’s so brave!”
Her eyes looked again at the handcuffs, but the other man said quickly,
“Don’t worry, miss. Marshals always handcuff themselves to the prisoner, so he can’t run away.
Mr. Easton knows his job.”
“Will you come back to Washington soon?” she asked.
“Not soon,” said Easton. “My fun days are over, I think.”
“I like the West,” said Miss Fairchild.
“It’s quiet here. Mother and I were in Denver for the summer.
She went home last week because Father is a bit sick.
But I could stay here. I think I could be happy.
Money isn’t everything, you know.”
“Mr. Marshal,” said the rough man suddenly,
“can we go now? I need a smoke, and I’m dying for a drink.
You’ve talked enough.”
Easton laughed.
“I can’t say no to that. Goodbye, Miss Fairchild. Duty calls.”
He smiled and shook her hand with his left one
“It’s too bad you’re not going East,” she said.
“I guess you must go on to Leavenworth.”
“Yes,” said Easton, “I must go to Leavenworth.”
The two men walked to the smoking car.
Two passengers sitting nearby looked at each other.
“That marshal seems like a good guy,” said one.
“Yes,” said the other, “but he’s quite young for that job.”
“Young?” the first man said.
“Didn’t you see? Marshals never handcuff the prisoner to their right hand!”
Glossary Word Meaning Example coach train car We sat in the first coach.hand cuff metal rings to hold a prisoner/
The police put handcuffs on the man. marshala kind of police officer in the U.S.The marshal caught the thief. prison a place where criminals stay. He went to prison for five years.fake money money that is not real. He made fake money at home. pale white face (because of fear or surprise) She turned pale when she saw the snake.smoke to use a cigarette He went outside to smoke.duty calls(idiom) you must do your job Sorry, I have to go — duty calls!long time no see(idiom) we haven’t met for a long time Hey, Tom! Long time no see!money flies away(idiom) money is easy to spend I got paid yesterday, but money flies away! Comprehension Questions
Where does the story happen?
Who does the young woman meet on the train?
Why can’t Mr. Easton shake her hand?
What does the other man say about Mr. Easton?What job does Miss Fairchild think Easton has?
What is the truth about who is the real prisoner?
What shows the real truth at the end of the story?
How does Miss Fairchild feel about the West?
Moral / Lesson
People often believe what they want to believe, not what is true.
Miss Fairchild wanted to see Easton as a hero, not a criminal — so she never questioned what she saw.
The real marshal — the rough, quiet man — was kind enough to protect Easton’s pride in front of her.
It shows that kindness and quick thinking can save someone’s dignity — even when the truth is sad.
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Keywords:
O. Henry, short story A2, English listening, learn English through stories, adapted English story, ESL reading, A2 vocabulary, English audio story, graded reader A2, Hearts and Hands O. Henry simplified