The Sniper by Liam O'Flaherty (Pre-Intermediate)

Pre-Intermediate

story

Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Dublin, the long June twilight faded into night. Dublin lay wrapped in a blanket of soft darkness, except for the gentle light of the moon that peeked through fluffy clouds. This moonlight sprinkled a delicate glow over the streets and the shimmering waters of the Liffey River. The kingdom was in the midst of a great conflict, where the mighty Republicans and the brave Free Staters were engaged in a civil war.

On a rooftop near the grand O'Connell Bridge, a young Republican soldier named Liam lay watching the kingdom below. He was not just any soldier; he was a guardian, tasked with protecting his people. Beside him lay his trusty rifle, and over his shoulders was a pair of field glasses. Liam had the face of a thoughtful student, but his eyes gleamed with determination, the eyes of someone who had seen many adventures.

Liam was very hungry as he had not eaten since morning. He quickly finished his sandwich and took a small sip from his flask. Feeling a bit better, he thought about having a smoke from his cigarette. It was risky because the flash of light might be seen by lurking enemies. But Liam decided to take the chance.

As he lit his cigarette, a bullet from an enemy's rifle flattened itself against the parapet of the roof, making a loud noise. Liam quickly put out his cigarette and crawled away to the left, swearing softly under his breath.

Carefully, Liam peered over the edge of the roof and saw a flash from the opposite side of the street. He rolled over to a chimney stack and slowly raised himself behind it, his eyes just above the parapet. He couldn’t see anything clearly—only the dim outline of the opposite rooftop.

Suddenly, an armored car appeared, slowly moving across the bridge and up the street. It stopped, and an old woman in a tattered shawl started talking to the soldier inside the car. She was pointing towards Liam’s rooftop. She was an informer!

The turret of the car opened, and a soldier's head appeared. Liam quickly aimed his rifle and fired. The soldier fell, and the old woman screamed and ran, but Liam fired again, and she fell into the gutter.

Just then, a shot rang out from the opposite roof, and Liam’s rifle clattered to the roof. He realized he was hit. His arm felt dead, and he muttered, "I'm hit." He quickly tended to his wound using his field dressing kit, though it caused him great pain.

He lay still, planning his next move. He knew he must escape before morning. His enemy on the opposite roof blocked his way. He had only a small revolver to defend himself. Then he thought of a clever plan.

Liam took off his cap and placed it on the end of his rifle. He slowly pushed the rifle upward until the cap was visible. Almost immediately, a bullet pierced the cap. Liam let the rifle and cap fall to the street, then hung his hand lifelessly over the edge of the roof. After a moment, he let his hand fall, too.

Crawling quickly, he peered over the parapet and saw his enemy standing before a row of chimney pots, thinking Liam was dead. Liam smiled and aimed his revolver. It was a hard shot, but he took a deep breath and fired. When the smoke cleared, he saw his enemy had been hit and was falling from the roof.

Liam watched his enemy fall and shuddered. The battle frenzy left him, replaced by sadness. Weakened by his wound and the long day, he cursed the war and himself. He looked at his smoking revolver and threw it to the roof, where it went off with a loud bang. The noise startled him back to his senses. He laughed shakily and took another sip from his flask, feeling reckless.

He decided to leave the roof and find his commander to report. The streets were quiet, so he climbed down through a skylight to the house below.

Once on the street, Liam felt curious about the enemy he had defeated. He wondered if he knew him, maybe even from his own company before the war. He decided to take a risk and see who it was. He darted across the street and threw himself down beside the fallen enemy. When he turned over the body, he looked into the face of his own brother.

Tears filled Liam’s eyes as he realized the terrible truth. In the kingdom of Dublin, even in the midst of war, family bonds were the most powerful connection of all.

This story teaches us about the tragic consequences of war and the enduring strength of family. Despite the conflicts that may arise, the love and bond between family members remain the most important and powerful forces in our lives. Let us cherish peace and strive to protect and nurture the connections that bind us together.

 

Words and Idioms

Study it with Flashcard

https://quizlet.com/kr/926703558/the-sniper-by-liam-oflaherty-flash-cards/?i=3en6ue&x=1qqt

 

twilight (n) - the soft glowing light from the sky when the sun is below the horizon

fade into (phr v) - to gradually become less visible or disappear

wrapped in (phr v) - covered or surrounded by

blanket of darkness (idiom) - a large area covered by darkness

peek through (phr v) - to appear slightly from behind something

fluffy (adj) - light and soft in texture

sprinkle (v) - to scatter or pour small drops or particles of a substance over an object or surface

delicate (adj) - very fine in texture or structure; of intricate workmanship or quality

shimmering (adj) - shining with a soft, slightly wavering light

in the midst of (phr) - in the middle of

conflict (n) - a serious disagreement or argument, typically a protracted one

mighty (adj) - possessing great and impressive power or strength

engaged in (phr v) - involved in

rooftop (n) - the outer surface of a building’s roof

guardian (n) - a defender, protector, or keeper

tasked with (phr v) - given the responsibility of

trusty (adj) - able to be relied on; dependable

field glasses (n) - binoculars used in the field for seeing distant objects

gleam (v) - shine brightly, especially with reflected light

determination (n) - firmness of purpose; resoluteness

sip (n) - a small mouthful of liquid

flask (n) - a small container for liquids, typically used for carrying alcohol

lurking (adj) - remaining hidden so as to wait in ambush

flatten itself (phr v) - to become flat or to cause something to become flat

parapet (n) - a low protective wall along the edge of a roof, bridge, or balcony

swear softly (phr v) - to utter offensive words quietly

peer over (phr v) - to look carefully or with difficulty

outline (n) - a line or set of lines enclosing or indicating the shape of an object in a sketch or diagram

armored car (n) - a military vehicle equipped with armor plating

informer (n) - a person who informs on another person to the authorities

turret (n) - a small tower on top of a larger tower or at the corner of a building or wall, typically of a castle

gutter (n) - a shallow trough fixed beneath the edge of a roof for carrying off rainwater

clatter (v) - to make a continuous rattling sound as of hard objects falling or striking each other

realize (v) - become fully aware of something as a fact; understand clearly

mutter (v) - say something in a low or barely audible voice, especially in dissatisfaction or irritation

tend to (phr v) - to care for or look after someone or something

pierce (v) - to go into or through something, making a hole

row of chimney pots (phr) - a line of vertical pipes on a chimney, often used to improve draft

hard shot (phr) - a difficult attempt to hit a target

shudder (v) - to tremble convulsively, typically as a result of fear or revulsion

frenzy (n) - a state or period of uncontrolled excitement or wild behavior

startle (v) - to cause a person or animal to feel sudden shock or alarm

shakily (adv) - in a manner that is trembling or unsteady

reckless (adj) - without thinking or caring about the consequences of an action

defeated (adj) - having been beaten in a battle or other contest

dart across (phr v) - to move quickly and suddenly across a space

Questions

1. What is the setting of the story?

a) The kingdom of London

b) The kingdom of Paris

c) The kingdom of Dublin

d) The kingdom of Berlin

 

2. What role does Liam play in the story?

a) A simple villager

b) A guardian and soldier

c) A wandering traveler

d) A market merchant

 

3. Why does Liam decide to light a cigarette despite the risk?

a) He wants to signal to his comrades

b) He believes the enemy is too far to notice

c) He is feeling reckless and needs comfort

d) He wants to celebrate a small victory

 

4. What is Liam’s reaction after realizing he has killed his enemy?

a) He feels triumphant and proud

b) He is indifferent and calm

c) He shudders and feels sadness

d) He immediately seeks another enemy to fight

 

5. What does the moonlight symbolize in the story?

a) The harsh reality of war

b) A beacon of hope amidst darkness

c) The uncertainty of life

d) The power of the enemy

 

6. What lesson does the story ultimately convey about war and family bonds?

a) War strengthens the resolve of soldiers

b) War creates opportunities for personal gain

c) Family bonds remain powerful even in the face of war's tragedy

d) War can be easily justified for the sake of victory

 

Short Writing Topics

 

1. Describe Liam’s internal conflict and how it shapes his actions throughout the story.

2. Discuss the significance of the setting (the kingdom of Dublin) in contributing to the story’s atmosphere and themes.

3. Reflect on the story's ending and its impact. How does the revelation about Liam's enemy alter the message of the story?

Answer Keys

1. c) The kingdom of Dublin

2. b) A guardian and soldier

3. c) He is feeling reckless and needs comfort

4. c) He shudders and feels sadness

5. b) A beacon of hope amidst darkness

6. c) Family bonds remain powerful even in the face of war's tragedy

 

Sample Writing

 

1. Liam’s internal conflict revolves around his duty as a soldier and his inherent humanity. Initially, he is driven by a sense of duty and determination, evident in his readiness to risk his life by lighting a cigarette despite the dangers. This internal conflict is further highlighted when he kills the enemy soldier and the old woman, actions taken out of necessity rather than malice. The climax of his conflict occurs when he discovers that the enemy sniper is his own brother. This revelation shatters him, transforming his earlier sense of duty into profound sorrow and regret. Liam’s internal struggle underscores the brutal reality of war, where even the strongest bonds can be tragically severed, shaping his actions and reactions throughout the narrative.

 

2. The setting of the kingdom of Dublin plays a crucial role in establishing the story’s atmosphere and themes. The long June twilight and the moonlight casting a delicate glow create a haunting and surreal backdrop, emphasizing the contrast between the beauty of the city and the harshness of war. Dublin, as a city enveloped in darkness and conflict, symbolizes the larger turmoil within the kingdom and the personal struggles of its inhabitants. The historical and cultural context of Dublin enriches the narrative, adding depth to the civil war between the Republicans and the Free Staters. This setting not only grounds the story in a specific place and time but also enhances the themes of conflict, duty, and the tragic consequences of war.

 

3. The story’s ending, where Liam discovers that the enemy sniper he has killed is his own brother, profoundly alters the message of the story. This revelation transforms the narrative from a simple tale of wartime duty into a poignant exploration of the personal costs of conflict. It underscores the futility and tragedy of war, highlighting how it can sever the most intimate and sacred bonds. The ending evokes a sense of deep sorrow and remorse, shifting the reader’s focus from the external battles to the internal emotional struggles faced by those involved. This twist emphasizes the theme that, despite the divisions and violence, the fundamental connections between individuals, particularly family, remain powerful and enduring.

 

 

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