Hi everyone, this is Jesse, your story writer, and you’re listening to the Being a Cloud podcast. More teachers are waking up to the power of stories to teach languages, and on this show, I share the stories I’ve made with my italki students for you to enjoy. Are you an ESL student? Do you want to make a story? Book a lesson with me and let’s create one together. In this story, an orange named Orangutan gets an unexpected text message from his girlfriend. This is part 1 of 3. ~~~ Orangutan the Orange Rain is pouring heavily onto a small town somewhere in Russia. It’s 8:15 in the morning on a cold Monday. Inside of a small, community-run gym, there is an angry-looking orange lifting some weights. It’s early, so no other members are in the gym. Not all the lights are turned on. The fourteen-year-old orange is alone lifting some dumbbells. 8 – 9 – 10 – Rest… He takes in huge breathes to recover. He seems very driven to push his body to its limits. Again… 1 – 2 – 3… After completing his 5th set, the orange walks over to the bench press. He lays down on the bench, grabs the steel bar and lifts the 50kg weights. He’s very strong for such a young piece of fruit. Then, his mobile phone makes a sound. The orange completes his set, then grabs his phone from his bag. Two new messages have arrived. He opens the first one and scans the text. Hi, Orangutan, my dear, it’s me. I’m sorry to say, but our relationship is over. Please don’t visit me or call me anymore. You’re very strong and handsome, but you’re not polite or considerate. While I do care for you, sometimes I don’t feel safe around you… The message stops there. It continues in the second message. But Orangutan feels so insulted and hurt by the message. He instantly deletes both of the messages, without reading the second. ~~~ Wanting more? Then create your own story. Book a class with me on italki.