A Horseman in the Sky by Ambrose Bierce (Pre-Intermediate)

Pre-Intermediate

story

 Once upon a time, in the magical land of Virginia, there lived a brave young man named Carter Druse. Carter came from a wealthy family who lived in a grand house nestled in the beautiful mountains. But the land was divided because a great war had begun, and Carter had to make a difficult choice.

One sunny autumn afternoon, Carter was lying hidden in a patch of laurel bushes by the side of a road. He was on a very important mission: he had to keep watch over the valley below, where many soldiers from his kingdom were resting. His job was to make sure no enemy scouts discovered their secret camp.

 As Carter lay there, he started to feel very sleepy. He knew that falling asleep was dangerous, but he couldn't help it. Soon, he was fast asleep, with his rifle resting loosely in his hand.

Suddenly, as if by magic, Carter woke up. He didn't know what had awakened him, but he knew he had to be alert. He carefully peeked through the bushes and saw an incredible sight. There, on a high cliff, was a magnificent horseman! The horse and rider were perfectly still, like a statue made of stone, silhouetted against the clear blue sky.

 Carter's heart pounded as he watched the horseman. He knew that if the horseman saw the hidden soldiers, their plan would be ruined. Carter slowly raised his rifle and aimed at the rider. Just as he was about to pull the trigger, the horseman turned his head and seemed to look right at him.

For a moment, Carter was filled with fear and hesitation. "Is it so terrible to kill an enemy in war?" he wondered. His hands trembled, and he almost dropped his rifle. He took a deep breath and remembered his father's words, "Whatever may occur, do what you conceive to be your duty."

Determined, Carter steadied his aim. He knew he couldn't let the horseman escape with their secret. But then, he noticed something strange. Down in the valley, he saw a line of soldiers and horses moving toward the stream to get water. Carter realized that the horseman might not have seen the hidden soldiers after all.

 Carter decided to aim at the horse instead of the rider. He thought, "If I shoot the horse, the rider will fall, and our secret will be safe." With a calm and steady hand, he took aim and fired.

The sound of the gunshot echoed through the valley. The horse reared up and then disappeared over the edge of the cliff. Carter held his breath, hoping he had done the right thing.

Meanwhile, down at the base of the cliff, another soldier from Carter's kingdom was exploring. This soldier looked up and saw an astonishing sight: a man on a horse seemed to be flying down from the sky! The soldier was so shocked that he fell to the ground, but when he looked again, the horseman had vanished.

Later, Carter's sergeant crawled up to him and whispered, "Did you fire?"

"Yes," Carter replied softly.

"At what?" asked the sergeant.

"A horse. It was standing on that rock over there, but now it's gone," Carter explained.

The sergeant's face turned pale. "Was there anyone on the horse?"

Carter nodded. "Yes, my father."

 The sergeant stood up, stunned. "Good heavens," he muttered as he walked away.

Carter remained at his post, his heart heavy but his duty fulfilled. He knew he had made a difficult choice, but he had done what he believed was right to protect his kingdom.

And so, the story of Carter Druse and the horseman in the sky became a legend, reminding everyone of the bravery and sacrifices made during the great war.

The End.

 

 

Words and Idioms

Study it with Flashcard

https://quizlet.com/kr/922303070/a-horseman-in-the-sky-by-ambrose-bierce-flash-cards/?i=3en6ue&x=1qqt

 

laurel (noun) - a type of evergreen tree or bush with shiny pointed leaves

thicket (noun) - a dense group of bushes or trees

conceive (verb) - form or devise (a plan or idea) in the mind

impassive (adjective) - not feeling or showing emotion

foliage (noun) - plant leaves, collectively

precipice (noun) - a very steep rock face or cliff

majestic (adjective) - having or showing impressive beauty or dignity

azure (adjective) - bright blue in color like a cloudless sky

stratagem (noun) - a plan or scheme, especially one used to outwit an opponent or achieve an end

silhouette (noun) - the dark shape and outline of someone or something visible against a lighter background

steed (noun) - a horse being ridden or available for riding

carbine (noun) - a light, short-barreled gun

illumination (noun) - lighting or light

pulse (noun) - a rhythmical throbbing of the arteries as blood is propelled through them

vigilant (adjective) - keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties

trepidation (noun) - a feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen

resolute (adjective) - admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering

jeopardized (verb) - put (someone or something) into a situation in which there is a danger of loss, harm, or failure

renewed (adjective) - resumed after an interruption

exhaled (verb) - breathed out

once upon a time - used at the beginning of a story to indicate that it happened a long time ago

magical land - an enchanted or mythical place

make a difficult choice - to decide between two or more challenging options

lying hidden - staying out of sight

keep watch - to observe carefully to ensure safety or prevent trouble

felt very sleepy - was extremely tired and ready to fall asleep

as if by magic - in a way that seems miraculous or supernatural

clear blue sky - clouds and bright blue

filled with fear - experiencing a great amount of fear

take a deep breath - to inhale deeply, often to calm oneself

do what you conceive to be your duty - to perform what you believe is your responsibility

with a calm and steady hand - in a controlled and unshaken manner

held his breath - stopped breathing temporarily, often due to anticipation or anxiety

shaken to his core - deeply disturbed or affected

hearts heavy - feeling deeply sorrowful or troubled

a difficult choice - a challenging decision

sacrifices made - the act of giving up something valued for the sake of others

the sound of the gunshot - the noise made when a gun is fired

over the edge - beyond the limit or point of no return

remained at his post - stayed in his position of duty

 

Questions

1. What was Carter Druse's mission in the story?

 

a) To find food for the soldiers

b) To keep watch over the valley and prevent enemy scouts from discovering the camp

c) To deliver a message to the king

d) To build a shelter for the soldiers

 

2. Where was Carter Druse hiding while on his mission?

 

a) Behind a rock

b) In a tree

c) In a patch of laurel bushes by the side of a road

d) In a cave

 

3. What did Carter see on the high cliff that surprised him?

 

a) A large bird

b) A magnificent horseman

c) A campfire

d) A group of soldiers

 

4. Why did Carter hesitate to shoot the horseman at first?

 

a) He was afraid of missing

b) He thought the horseman was a friend

c) He wondered if it was terrible to kill an enemy in war

d) He had no bullets in his rifle

 

5. What does the horseman symbolize for Carter in the story?

 

a) A friend from home

b) An obstacle to his mission

c) A figure of authority

d) A reminder of his duty and sacrifice

 

6. What is the main theme of the story?

 

a) The importance of family

b) The beauty of nature

c) The struggle between duty and personal feelings

d) The excitement of adventure

 

 

Short Writing Topics

1. Write a diary entry as if you were Carter Druse, describing the day you saw the horseman on the cliff. Include your feelings and thoughts about the difficult decision you had to make.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Imagine you are the sergeant who talked to Carter after he fired his rifle. Write a letter to your commander explaining what happened and how you felt about it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Describe a time when you had to make a difficult choice. What was the choice, what did you decide to do, and how did you feel about your decision afterward?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answer Keys

1. b) To keep watch over the valley and prevent enemy scouts from discovering the camp

2. c) In a patch of laurel bushes by the side of a road

3. b) A magnificent horseman

4. c) He wondered if it was terrible to kill an enemy in war

5. d) A reminder of his duty and sacrifice

6. c) The struggle between duty and personal feelings

 

Sample Writing Answers

1. Diary Entry by Carter Druse:

Today was a day like no other. As I lay hidden in the laurel bushes, I struggled to stay awake. Suddenly, I saw a magnificent horseman on the cliff. My heart pounded as I aimed my rifle at him. Just as I was about to pull the trigger, he turned and looked directly at me. Fear and hesitation gripped me. I remembered Father's words: "Do what you conceive to be your duty." With a steady hand, I aimed at the horse instead. The shot echoed, and the horse and rider fell over the cliff. The sergeant later asked me who it was. I had to admit it was my father. My heart is heavy, but I did what I believed was right to protect my kingdom.

 

2. Letter from the Sergeant:

Dear Commander,

I am writing to inform you about an incident that occurred today. Private Carter Druse, while on watch, fired his rifle at a horseman standing on a distant rock. When I approached him to confirm the shot, he explained that the horseman had fallen over the cliff. What shocked me most was when Druse revealed that the rider was his own father. The weight of his duty overcame his personal feelings, and he made an incredibly difficult choice. This incident has left us all deeply moved, but it also underscores the incredible sacrifices our soldiers are making. Druse's actions remind us of the heavy burden of duty we all bear.

 

3. Personal Difficult Choice:

A difficult choice I had to make was whether to move to a new city with my family or stay in my hometown with my friends. My parents had an excellent job opportunity, but it meant leaving behind everything familiar. After much thought, I decided to move with my family. I knew it was the best decision for our future, even though it meant starting over in a new place. Initially, I felt sad and anxious about leaving my friends. However, I soon realized that this change brought new opportunities and experiences. Looking back, I believe I made the right choice and grew stronger because of it.

 

 

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