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Reading and Listening Practice || The Boy Who Never Gave Up || Graded Reader || Learn English | Read & Learn English | YouTubeToText
YouTube Transcript: Reading and Listening Practice || The Boy Who Never Gave Up || Graded Reader || Learn English
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Video Summary
Summary
Core Theme
This content is a motivational story designed to help English language learners improve their reading and listening skills by following the journey of a determined boy from a small village who overcomes numerous challenges through hard work, perseverance, and a strong belief in his dreams.
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Hello and welcome. I'm very happy you
are here today. This video is made
especially for people who want to
improve their English skills. Whether
you are a beginner or at an intermediate
level, this story will help you practice
your reading and listening. You can
follow along with the words and hear how
they sound in natural English.
In this video, you will hear a simple
but powerful story about a boy who grows
up in a small village and faces many challenges.
challenges.
The story shows how he works hard, never
gives up, and learns important lessons
about success and life. As you listen
and read, you will learn new words,
understand sentence structures, and
improve your English speaking and
listening skills. Listening to stories
is a great way to learn English. It
helps you hear the correct pronunciation
and rhythm of the language.
Reading at the same time helps your eyes
get used to English words and phrases.
You can pause the video any time to
practice speaking or to check a word you
don't know. You can also listen again to
hear how sentences flow naturally.
This video is perfect for anyone who
wants to build confidence in English. It
will also teach you important life
lessons that can motivate and inspire
you every day. So get comfortable, open
your heart and mind and enjoy the story.
Remember, learning English is a journey
and every step you take is important.
Let's begin together and enjoy this
reading and listening practice.
Thank you for choosing to spend your
time learning English with me today. I
hope you find this story helpful and inspiring.
inspiring.
Chapter 1. A simple life in a small village.
village.
In a quiet village surrounded by green
hills and rice fields, there lived a boy
named Zaw. His home was small, made of
wood and bamboo with a roof that
sometimes leaked when it rained. He
lived with his parents and his younger sister.
sister.
They didn't have much, but they had each
other. His father worked as a farmer and
his mother sold vegetables in the local market.
market.
Every morning they woke up before the
sun rose, ready to begin another hard day.
day.
Zah was only 12 years old, but he
already knew how tough life could be. He
wore old clothes and broken shoes, and
he carried his school books in a plastic
bag because his family couldn't afford a backpack.
backpack.
He didn't complain. He knew his parents
were doing their best, and he wanted to
make them proud.
Every day after school, Zah helped his
father in the fields. He carried water,
pulled weeds, and sometimes helped plant
rice. His hands were small, but they
worked hard. At night, after dinner, he
studied by candle light because they
didn't always have electricity.
Some days he was tired. Some days he
felt like giving up. But deep in his
heart, he held a dream. Zah dreamed of a
better life. He wanted to be a teacher
one day. He wanted to help other
children learn, especially those who
lived in villages like his.
He believed education could change
everything. It could lift his family out
of poverty. It could help his sister go
to school. It could make their lives
easier. But most of all, it gave him
hope. At school, Zaw was quiet but
curious. He asked many questions, even
when other students laughed at him. He
didn't mind. He loved learning. His
favorite subject was English. He
practiced speaking even when he was
alone. He would say sentences in front
of the mirror, trying to sound like the
people he heard on the radio.
He believed that if he learned English
well, more doors would open for him. But
life in the village was not easy.
Sometimes the rains didn't come and the
crops failed. There were days when they
had very little food. Zah had to walk 5
km to school, and when it rained, the
path turned into deep mud. Still, he
never missed a day.
He wrapped his books in a plastic bag
and kept going. His classmates sometimes
made fun of him. They laughed at his
clothes and his dreams.
"You think you'll become a teacher?"
They said, "Look at you. You don't even
have shoes."
But Zah stayed silent. He remembered
what his father once told him. "People
may laugh at you, but never laugh at
yourself. Believe in your dream even
when no one else does.
Zah listened to that advice every day.
At night, when the world was quiet, he
opened his books and studied. He
memorized words. He practiced reading.
He wrote in a small notebook even when
the pages were full. He didn't know how,
but he believed something good would
happen if he just kept going. His mother
noticed how hard he worked. One evening,
she brought him a small gift, an old
English book she found in the market.
"It's not much," she said, "but I know
you'll use it well." Zah smiled with joy.
joy.
He opened the book and began reading
immediately. It became his treasure. He
read it every night again and again
until he knew every word. Zah didn't
have a computer or the internet. He
didn't have a tutor or a language
center. But he had something many people
forget. Strong determination.
He knew that if he wanted to change his
life, he had to start with himself. He
had to wake up early, study hard, work
harder, and never give up.
Each day in the village looked the same.
School, farm work, study. But Z believed
these simple days were building
something great. He believed that one
day all the hard work would make sense.
He didn't know when, and he didn't know
how, but he knew why. He wanted a better
life for his family, his sister, and
himself. And so the boy in the small
village continued his journey. Quietly,
slowly, but with a heart full of fire.
Chapter 2. The first big failure.
Zah was working harder than ever. Every
morning he woke up before sunrise to
help his father in the field. Then he
rushed to school, sat in the front row,
and listened carefully to every word the
teacher said.
After school, he studied alone using his
old English book, his small notebook,
and his big dreams.
He felt proud of his progress. His
handwriting had improved. His grammar
was getting better. He could read
English stories and understand more than
before. He even started helping his
sister with her schoolwork.
Deep inside, he thought, "Maybe I really
can become a teacher one day." At the
end of the school year, there was a big
English exam.
This exam was important. If Zaw passed,
he would move to the next level and get
a scholarship to attend a better school
in the town. That school had computers,
real English teachers, and even a library.
library.
It was a dream.
Zah studied harder than ever for the
exam. He stayed up late every night. He
practiced speaking aloud, repeated new
words, and wrote short essays. He had
never worked so hard for anything before.
before.
His mother said, "We believe in you, Zaw."
Zaw."
His father smiled with quiet hope.
Everyone in the family was excited.
Finally, the day of the exam arrived.
Zaw woke up early, dressed in his
cleanest clothes, and walked to school
with a heart full of nervous energy. In
the exam room, he tried to stay calm. He
read each question carefully and
answered the best he could. Some parts
were easy, others were harder than he
expected, but he gave it everything he
had. When the exam was over, Zah felt
proud. He believed he had done well. He
walked home with a smile, already
imagining what the town school would be
like. He could see himself learning in
big classrooms, speaking English with
confidence, and someday returning to the
village as a teacher.
But one week later, everything changed.
The exam results were posted on the
school wall. Students gathered around
pointing and shouting. Zah pushed
through the crowd searching for his
name. He looked once, then twice. His
name was not on the list. He had failed.
His heart sank. For a moment, he
couldn't believe it. He checked again,
hoping he had missed it. But the truth
was there, clear and painful. He had not
passed. The scholarship was gone. The
dream school was no longer possible.
Everything he had worked for was gone in
a single moment.
Zah walked home slowly, carrying a heavy
weight in his heart. His mother looked
at his face and understood. His father
said nothing, but the sadness in the
room was deep.
That night, Z didn't open his books. He
didn't light the candle. He just lay in
bed staring at the ceiling.
Maybe I'm not smart enough, he thought.
Maybe the others were right. Maybe I was
just dreaming too big.
The next morning, he didn't want to go
to school. He felt ashamed. He imagined
the other students laughing at him. He
imagined his teacher feeling
disappointed. But when he saw his little
sister getting ready, tying her books
with a string, something changed inside
him. She looked at him and asked, "Will
you still help me with my homework
today?" Zah looked into her eyes. They
were full of trust and love. In that
moment, he realized something important.
His dream wasn't just about himself. It
was about his family, about hope, about
showing others that failure doesn't mean
the end. It just means you have to try again.
again.
That night, he picked up his book again.
He lit the candle. He opened his
notebook and he started studying. He
didn't know when the next chance would
come. But he promised himself one thing.
He would not quit. Failure had knocked
him down, but it had also woken him up.
It had shown him how much his dream
meant. And from that day on, Zaw's heart
became even stronger.
He whispered to himself, "I failed
once." "That's true, but I will rise
again. I will try harder. I will not
stop until I succeed."
Chapter 3. working harder than everyone
else. The failure hurt Zaw deeply, but
he didn't let it break him. Instead, it
woke up something powerful inside him.
He had tasted disappointment, and now he
wanted success even more. He made a
silent promise to himself. From now on,
I will work harder than anyone else. I
will give everything I have.
Zah began every day before the sun rose.
While the village still slept, he was
already out in the fields with his
father. They walked through the morning
mist, their feet wet with dew, carrying
tools and buckets. Zah helped plant
seeds, carry water, and cut weeds. Even
though the work was hard and the sun was
hot, he didn't complain.
He knew his father worked this hard
every day just to feed the family. Z
wanted to be strong like him. After the
farmwork, Zaw quickly washed, changed
clothes, and grabbed his books. He had
only a short time to eat before he had
to walk 5 km to school. The road was
rough, and during the rainy season, it
turned into deep mud. But he kept
walking even when his shoes got stuck or
his clothes got dirty. He didn't care.
He had a goal in his heart and nothing
would stop him. At school, Zah sat in
the front row. He listened carefully to
every word the teacher said. He took
notes, asked questions, and stayed focused.
focused.
While some students passed notes or
laughed at jokes, Zaw kept his eyes on
the blackboard. He didn't have expensive
books or a smartphone to look up words,
but he used everything he had, his mind,
his ears, his heart. After school, while
others played football or rested, Zaw
went straight home to help his mother.
He carried water from the well,
collected firewood, and helped prepare dinner.
dinner.
His little sister followed him
everywhere, asking questions and
smiling. He always made time to teach
her a few English words just like a real teacher.
teacher.
In the evening after dinner, when the
house was quiet, Zah opened his books.
Sometimes the power was out, so he lit a
candle. He read slowly and carefully. He
wrote down new words in a notebook he
had covered in plastic to keep safe from
the rain. He repeated difficult
sentences again and again until he understood.
understood.
He didn't just study English. He also
worked hard on math, science, and
Burmese. But English was special to him.
It felt like a key. a key that could
open doors to the world, to new ideas,
to opportunities he couldn't yet imagine.
imagine.
Sometimes he was tired. Sometimes he
wanted to sleep early, but he pushed
himself to stay awake. He reminded
himself, "If I don't work now, I will
stay here forever. But if I try, maybe
my life will change." Weekends were not
for rest. While others relaxed, Zah
worked even harder. On Saturdays, he
went to the market with his mother to
help carry vegetables and sell them. On
Sundays, he visited the temple where he
asked the monks if he could borrow old
books. He read everything he could find,
even books with missing pages, even
books with words he didn't understand.
And when he didn't understand something,
he didn't give up. He asked his teacher
at school. He asked older students. He
repeated the lesson until it made sense.
He didn't feel embarrassed anymore. He
knew that asking questions was a sign of
strength, not weakness.
Over time, people began to notice. His
teacher said, "Zaw, you are improving
very fast." His classmates who once
laughed at him now asked him for help.
Even the village elders smiled when they
saw him reading under the tree or
walking to school with his plastic
wrapped books.
But Zah didn't let the praise change
him. He stayed humble. He knew he still
had a long way to go. He hadn't reached
his dream yet, not even close. But he
felt stronger now. His routine was not
just about studying or working. It was
about building discipline, growing his
mind, and preparing for the next big
chance. Every day was a small step
forward. And step by step, Zaw was
becoming something greater than even he realized.
realized.
Chapter 4. People laugh, but he keeps
going. Zah had changed. He was no longer
the quiet boy who sat at the back of the
class afraid to speak. Now he studied
hard, asked questions, and helped
others, but not everyone supported him.
Some people still laughed at his dreams.
At school, a few classmates made fun of
him. Look at Zaw with his broken sandals
and his old books. One boy said he
thinks he's going to be a teacher, maybe
even a rich man. Others laughed loudly.
Maybe he will fly to London next year,
they joked.
Zaw heard the laughter. He felt it in
his chest like a sharp pain. At first,
it made him sad. He wanted to explain
himself to say, "I'm not better than
you. I just want a better life." But he
stayed quiet. He had learned something
important. You don't have to answer
every voice. You just have to keep walking.
walking.
After class, when others went home to
play or sleep, Zaw went to the library.
It was small and dusty with only a few
English books, but to Z it was a
treasure chest. He sat in the corner
reading with care. His classmates saw
him and laughed again. Why waste your
time? They said, "English won't help you
in the village." But Zah didn't stop.
Even in the village, some adults didn't understand.
understand.
One man said, "Zaw is a good boy, but he
is dreaming too big. He should learn
farming, not English." Another woman
whispered, "He thinks he's smarter than
the rest of us.
Zah heard these things, but he
remembered his mother's words.
Don't worry about what others say. Worry
about what you believe.
So he kept going. He kept waking up
early to help his father in the fields.
He kept walking the long road to school,
rain, or shine. He kept reading by
candle light when there was no
electricity. He kept writing down new
words and repeating them until they
became part of him. Sometimes he felt
lonely. He wished someone would say,
"You can do it." But then he looked at
his little sister who still asked him
for help with her homework.
He looked at his father who smiled
proudly when Zah shared what he learned
in school.
And that was enough.
One day, a new teacher came to the
village school. She was young, kind, and
spoke English very well. During class,
she noticed Zah's hand always in the
air. After school, she called him and
asked, "Why do you work so hard, Zah?"
Zah looked down for a second, then said
quietly, "Because I want to change my
life. I want to help my family, and I
believe English is my way."
The teacher smiled. "That's a beautiful
reason," she said. "Keep going. You're
on the right path."
Her words felt like a light inside him.
For the first time, someone outside his
family had seen his effort and believed
in it.
Later, when Zah went back to the
library, he noticed something different.
One of the boys who used to laugh was
sitting nearby reading a book. Zaw
looked at him and the boy looked back
but said nothing. Maybe he was curious.
Maybe deep inside he also wanted to learn.
learn.
Zaw didn't say anything. He just smiled
and turned back to his book. Over time
the laughter became less. Some
classmates still joked, but others
started respecting him. They saw that
Zod didn't give up, that he didn't care
about clothes or money or showing off.
He cared about learning, and that was powerful.
powerful.
Zah knew that life wouldn't be easy.
There would always be people who
laughed, who didn't understand, who
thought his dreams were foolish. But he
also knew something stronger. What you
believe matters more than what others
say. And so every time someone doubted
him, he worked even harder. Every time
someone laughed, he walked forward
because Zaw had a dream. And no one, not
the boys at school, not the gossiping
villagers, not the voices of doubt,
could stop him. Now, chapter 5.
finding a mentor who changed everything.
One hot afternoon after school, Zaw
stayed behind to clean the classroom.
His classmates had already gone home,
but he didn't mind. As he picked up the
chalk pieces and wiped the blackboard,
the new English teacher, Miss Theory,
walked in with a gentle smile. "You're
always the last to leave, Zah," she
said. Zahaw smiled shily. I like being
here. It's quiet and I can think. Miss
Theory looked at his notebook lying open
on the desk. It was filled with English
words, grammar notes, and small drawings
to help him remember things.
She flipped through the pages and said,
"You've taught yourself a lot. That
takes real discipline."
Zah didn't know what to say. No teacher
had ever spoken to him like that before.
Then she asked a simple question that
changed his life. Would you like me to
help you after school?
Zaw's eyes widened. Really? You have
time? Miss theory nodded. If you're
willing to work, I'm willing to guide
you. From that day on, Zah stayed after
class three times a week. Miss Theory
helped him with pronunciation, sentence
building, and reading stories aloud. She
corrected his mistakes, but always
kindly. She gave him new books to read,
ones with interesting stories and simple
English. She even taught him how to
write short essays and letters. But her
help wasn't only about English.
Miss theory also taught him how to
believe in himself.
She often said, "Success isn't about
being lucky. It's about being ready when
the chance comes."
Zah listened to every word. Her lessons
were more than just grammar rules. They
were life lessons.
She told him stories about her own
childhood. She also grew up in a small
village. Her parents were farmers just
like Zaw, but she studied hard, received
a scholarship, and later became a
teacher so she could return to help
students like him. "Never forget where
you come from," she said, "but don't let
it decide where you're going."
Zah began to feel something new inside
him. Hope. Before meeting Miss Theory,
he thought he had to do everything alone.
alone.
But now he saw that one kind person
could make a big difference.
One day she handed him a flyer. It was
an announcement for a youth English camp
in the nearby town. It was a weekend
event where students from different
schools came to learn and practice
English together.
Zah looked at the paper. "I've never
been to a camp before," he said
nervously. "And my English. It's not
that good yet." Miss Theory smiled.
"That's why you should go. You don't
need to be perfect. You just need to be
brave." Zah asked his parents for
permission. At first, they were unsure.
The town was far. They didn't have money
for the bus.
But when they saw how much it meant to
him, his mother quietly sold some
vegetables she had saved. His father
gave him his old bag. "Go and learn,"
they said. "Then come back and teach us."
us."
The camp was a new world. There were
over 50 students, all speaking English,
playing games, and sharing ideas. At
first, Zaw felt nervous and out of
place, but he remembered Miss Theory's
words, "Be brave."
So, he spoke slowly, carefully, but he
spoke. He made mistakes, but no one
laughed. In fact, other students clapped
for him. A volunteer from Yanggon came
up to him after a session and said, "You
have a strong voice.
Keep speaking." By the end of the camp,
Zah had made new friends and more
importantly, new dreams. When he
returned to the village, he told Miss
Theory everything. "I want to join more
programs," he said. "I want to become a
person who helps others like you." She
nodded. "Then you must keep working and
never stop learning."
From that point on, Zaw's learning felt
different. He wasn't just studying to
escape his struggles. He was learning to
grow, to serve, to build something
meaningful. He had found a mentor who
believed in him, and that belief gave
him wings.
Chapter 6. A second chance to prove himself.
himself.
Zaw's confidence had grown since the
English camp. He was no longer afraid to
speak in front of others. His heart
still beat fast before he stood up, but
now he spoke anyway. He made mistakes,
but he kept trying. Each small success
gave him more strength. One day at
school, Miss Theory made an exciting announcement.
announcement.
Our school has been invited to take part
in the regional English speech
competition. She said, "It's a chance to
show what you've learned and meet
students from other villages."
Zah sat up straight.
He felt his heartbeat faster. A speech
competition in English. "You don't have
to be perfect," Miss Theory continued.
"You just need to speak with confidence
and passion."
That evening, Zaw told his parents. They
didn't fully understand what a speech
competition was, but when they saw the
light in his eyes, they smiled. "Try
your best," his father said. "We are
proud no matter what." Miss theory
helped him choose a topic. After some
thought, Zah decided to speak about
dreams. How even a poor village boy
could hope for a better life.
The topic was personal. It was his
story. Every day after school, he stayed
behind to practice.
He stood in front of the empty classroom
and read his speech out loud again and again.
again.
Miss theory corrected his pronunciation,
taught him how to pause and showed him
how to make eye contact.
At night, Zah practiced at home in front
of a small mirror.
He watched his face, listened to his
voice, and worked to improve.
His little sister sat nearby, clapping
each time he finished, but not everyone
believed in him. "You think you're going
to win?" One classmate said, "There are
students from big towns with real
teachers. You don't stand a chance." Zah
felt the old doubt returning. Maybe they
were right. Maybe he wasn't good enough.
But then he remembered the camp. He
remembered how the other students
clapped for him. And he remembered Miss
Theory's voice. You don't have to be
perfect. You just have to be brave.
So he kept going. The day of the
competition came. Z wore his best
clothes, clean but simple. His parents
walked him to the edge of the village
and waved goodbye.
"Win or lose," his mother said. "You are
already a winner to us."
The event was held at a large school in
the town. Zah had never seen such a big
place. There were over 20 students from
different villages and towns. Some had
fancy clothes, polished accents, and
beautiful slides. Zah had only his voice
and his story. When it was his turn, he
stepped onto the stage. His hands shook
a little, but he took a deep breath. He
looked at the judges, then at the
audience. He thought of his village, his
family, and Miss theory. And then he
began, "My name is Zah. I come from a
small village where most people don't
speak English, but I believe that dreams
can grow anywhere."
He spoke from the heart. He shared his
story, the struggles, the laughter, the
late nights, and the hope. His voice was
not loud, but it was full of truth. When
he finished, the room was silent for a
moment. Then came the applause.
After all the speeches were done, the
judges announced the results. Zaw didn't
win first place. But he won something
more meaningful. The most inspiring
speech award. It wasn't about perfect
English. It was about courage, honesty,
and effort. He stood on stage holding
the small certificate in his hands. His
heart was full.
He had proved something, not just to
others, but to himself. When he returned
to the village, Miss Theory met him at
the school gate. "You did it," she said
with a proud smile. Zah nodded. "I
didn't win the competition, but I won a
second chance to believe in myself."
Chapter 7. The day of truth. It was the
night before the big exam. Zaw sat at
his small wooden table, the one his
father had built long ago. His lamp
flickered slightly, but he didn't notice.
notice.
His eyes were focused on his notebook.
He had been studying for this test for
months, the national exam that could
decide his future. If he passed, he
could apply for a scholarship and go to
a better school in the city. If he
failed, he would have to stay behind,
helping on the farm like before.
There was no second chance this time. He
closed his book and looked up at the
moon outside. The village was quiet.
Everyone else was asleep, but he
couldn't rest yet. His heart was full of thoughts.
thoughts.
Have I done enough? He asked himself.
What if I forget everything tomorrow?
He remembered Miss Theory's words. Don't
fear the result. Trust your effort.
Taking a deep breath, he finally closed
his books and went to bed. But sleep
didn't come easily. His mind kept
repeating formulas, grammar rules, and
essay ideas. The next morning, the sun
rose slowly over the fields. Zah got up
early, washed his face, and wore his
clean school uniform. His mother handed
him a small bag with snacks, and his
father gave him a strong pat on the
back. No words were needed. Their eyes
said everything. "We believe in you."
The exam center was in a nearby town.
Zaw rode there on the back of an old
truck with other students. No one spoke
much. Everyone was nervous. The air was
filled with tension.
When they arrived, students lined up
outside a large school building. Some
were reviewing notes. Others were
whispering to themselves.
Zah stood quietly, eyes closed, trying
to calm his racing heart. A bell rang.
It was time.
Inside the exam room, the air was cool.
Rows of desks stood like soldiers. Zaw
found his seat and sat down. The
invigilator walked in with a serious
face and handed out the papers. Do not
open the test until I say, she
instructed. Z stared at the closed paper
in front of him. His hands were slightly
sweaty. His legs felt heavy. He
whispered a small prayer in his heart,
not for luck, but for focus.
Begin. He opened the test. The first
page was English. His favorite. He
smiled slightly and started writing.
Vocabulary, grammar, reading
comprehension. He answered carefully,
one question at a time. The next part
was math. Not his strongest subject, but
he had practiced every night. When he
got stuck on a problem, he closed his
eyes, took a deep breath, and remembered
what Miss Theory had taught him.
Don't panic.
Think slowly.
Hour after hour passed. His hand hurt
from writing. His eyes felt tired, but
he kept going. Then came the final part,
the essay. He had to write about a
personal goal. His heart jumped. It was
the perfect topic. He wrote about his
dream of becoming a teacher one day. He
described how he wanted to help students
in poor villages just like Miss Theory
had helped him. His words were simple
but full of meaning.
When the final bell rang, he put down
his pen. It was over. He walked out of
the room feeling light and heavy at the
same time. Some students looked happy,
others looked worried.
Zaw didn't know how to feel. He had done
his best, but still doubt whispered in
the back of his mind.
On the way back to the village, he
looked out at the passing trees and rice fields.
fields.
Everything looked the same, but inside
he felt different. He had faced his
fear. He had given it everything he had.
At home, his parents welcomed him with
warm smiles and a hot meal. His little
sister hugged him tightly. "Did you
win?" she asked. Zah smiled. "I don't
know yet, but I didn't give up. That's
what matters." That night, for the first
time in many weeks, he slept peacefully.
He had faced the day of truth and he had
walked through it with courage.
Chapter 8. Success after struggle. Weeks
passed after the exam. Zaw returned to
his daily life, helping his father in
the fields, feeding the chickens, and
walking his sister to school. But
something was different now. He had
faced his fear. He had finished the exam
with full effort.
Still deep in his heart, he waited for
the result. Each day he walked past the
school notice board, hoping the results
had arrived. Some of his classmates were
confident, others looked worried. Zaw
said nothing. He kept working, kept
studying, kept believing.
Then one morning, Miss Theory stood
outside the classroom with a paper in
her hand and a wide smile on her face.
"The exam results are here," she said.
All the students ran to the board. Zaw's
heart pounded. He didn't want to look.
What if he had failed? What if all the
work meant nothing?
But then, Miss Theory touched his shoulder.
shoulder.
Zahaw, she said softly. You did it. You
passed with one of the highest scores in
the region. Zaw's mouth opened in shock.
He couldn't speak. His hands began to
shake as he read his name beside the
words top 5% eligible for scholarship
interview. He had done it. The class
clapped for him. Even the students who
had once laughed at him smiled and gave
him a thumbs up. "Well done, Zah." One
said, "You really worked hard."
Zah felt a warm pride rise inside him,
not because he wanted to show off, but
because this success had come from pain,
sacrifice, and effort.
He remembered the nights with the
flickering lamp, the mornings in the
cold field, and the moments of doubt. It
had all led to this.
When he got home, his mother saw the
expression on his face. She didn't need
to ask. She hugged him tightly.
"I knew you would make us proud," she
whispered. His father, a man of few
words, gave a strong nod.
You've done well, son. You've opened a
door for yourself.
The news spread quickly through the
village. People who once ignored Zaw now
greeted him with respect.
You're the boy who passed the national
exam, right? A shopkeeper asked.
We heard you're getting a scholarship,
said the headman. You're going places.
Zah felt shy with all the attention, but
deep down he felt something stronger.
Hope. If he could do this, what else
could he achieve?
A few days later, he received a letter
from the scholarship office. He was
invited to the city for an interview.
Miss Theory helped him prepare. They
practiced questions, reviewed his
answers, and chose his best clothes.
Before he left, she gave him a small
notebook. "Write your story," she said.
"One day it might inspire others." In
the city, everything felt big and new.
Tall buildings, noisy traffic, and
bright lights. But Zah stayed calm. He
walked into the interview room with confidence.
confidence.
The interviewers asked him many
questions about his goals, his family,
his challenges.
Why do you want this scholarship? One of
them asked.
Zah looked them in the eyes and
answered. Because I want to become a
teacher and help students like me.
I believe every child, even in the
poorest village, deserves a chance to dream.
dream.
There was silence.
Then the interviewer smiled. A week
later, the final letter arrived.
Zah had been chosen. He was going to the
best school in the region. All expenses
paid, books, housing, food, everything
was covered. Zah held the letter in his
hands and cried. Not tears of sadness,
but of deep, quiet joy. He stood outside
his house and looked up at the sky. The
stars seemed brighter. The wind felt
softer. He whispered to himself,
"This is only the beginning."
Chapter nine. Giving back to the community.
community.
Z stepped off the bus and looked around
at the village where he had grown up.
The dusty roads, the green rice fields,
and the small wooden houses all looked
the same. But he had changed.
After finishing his first year at the
new school in the city, he had come back
home for the holidays. His bag was full
of books and his heart was full of new ideas.
ideas.
He had learned so much in just one year.
But now he wanted to do something more.
He wanted to give back.
The first thing he did was visit his old
school. The building still had broken windows.
windows.
The desks were still scratched and old,
but the classroom was full of bright
young faces, just like his once was. The
children looked at him with wide eyes.
They had heard the stories, the boy from
the village who passed the exam, the one
who got a scholarship.
Miss Theory welcomed him with a smile.
The children look up to you now, she
said. They need someone like you.
Zah didn't hesitate. Can I help teach
them during my break? He asked.
So, every morning, Zah returned to the
classroom, not as a student, but as a
helper. He taught English, helped with
math, and even shared tips on how to
study. He told the students stories of
the city, of the school where he now
studied, and how hard work had brought
him there. The students listened
closely. They started trying harder.
They asked more questions. They stayed
after class for help. One little boy
said, "I want to be like you, Cozah."
Zah smiled. You can. You just have to
believe and work hard. But Z didn't stop
at the school. In the afternoons, he
helped his parents on the farm. He
repaired the broken fence and helped his
mother carry water. He even showed his
father a new way to grow vegetables that
he had learned in a science class.
In the evenings, he organized a small
study group at the village monastery.
Children and teenagers came with their books.
books.
Some of them had no electricity at home,
so Zaw brought candles and helped them
study under the soft flickering light.
At first only a few kids came, but soon
more joined. The room was full of
laughter, learning, and hope. Even the
village elders noticed. One of them
said, "He left to learn, but he came
back to teach." Zah felt proud, but not
for himself, for his village, for his
people. He knew he was not the only one
with dreams. Many children had the same
fire in their hearts, but they needed
someone to light the way. One day, Z
gathered the children under a tree and
gave a small talk. "I was just like
you," he said. "I had no special gifts.
I was poor. I failed once, but I didn't
give up. And now I'm learning in a place
I never thought I'd reach. You can do
the same. Start small. Keep going. And
one day you'll fly. The children
clapped. Some even cried. Parents began
to thank Zaw. One mother said, "My son
never cared about school before, but now
he studies every night. Thank you for
waking up his dream." Zah felt something
deep inside.
It was more than happiness. It was purpose.
purpose.
He knew now that success was not only
about going far. It was also about
coming back and lifting others.
Before he returned to the city, the
villagers gathered to give him a simple
gift, a wooden pen holder made from a
local tree. On it they had carved a few
words for the one who came back with
light. Zah held it in his hands and
promised himself, "No matter where I go,
I will always return. I will always
help." His journey had started with a
dream. Now it had become something
greater. A mission to change lives one
child at a time. Chapter 10. The real
meaning of success.
Reflect on what he learned. Success is
not money or fame. It's growth, belief,
and helping others. Years passed. Z had
finished school, become a teacher, and
even written a small book about his
life. People in other villages knew his
name. Some students traveled long
distances just to study in his
classroom. His old school had grown,
too. It had more books, better chairs,
and brighter students. But even as life
changed, Zah stayed simple. He still
lived in the village. He still helped
his parents in the garden. He still
walked to school every morning with a smile.
smile.
One evening, after a long day of
teaching, Zah sat alone outside his
small home. The stars shone brightly above.
above.
The air was quiet and the only sound was
the soft wind moving through the trees.
He looked up at the sky and began to think.
think.
What is success? He asked himself.
When he was young, he thought success
meant escaping the village, becoming
rich, or living in the city. He thought
success was big houses, shiny cars, and
being famous. But now, after everything
he had lived, he understood something
different. Success was not about money
or power. It was about growth. How far
he had come from the scared boy who once
failed. It was about belief. How he kept
going when everyone laughed. And most of
all, it was about helping others,
lifting others up so they too could
chase their dreams.
He remembered the young boys and girls
who now filled his classroom. Some had
no shoes. Some came hungry, but their
eyes were full of dreams.
Zah saw himself in them. And when they
smiled or understood a new word, it felt
like magic. That he thought was real success.
success.
One day a news reporter came to visit
the school. She had heard about the
teacher from the village who had
inspired hundreds of students. "Do you
feel successful now?" she asked. Zah
smiled gently. "Yes," he said. "But not
because of what I have. I feel
successful because I never gave up,
because I helped others and because I
wake up each day with purpose." The
reporter nodded.
What advice would you give young people?
Zah thought for a moment and then said,
"Believe in yourself, even when no one
else does. Work hard, be kind, and
remember, success is not something you
take, it's something you give."
After she left, Zah walked back to the classroom.
classroom.
The children ran to him, laughing and
calling, "Teacher! Teacher!" He laughed
with them and picked up a piece of
chalk. Another lesson was about to
begin, but inside he knew the most
important lesson was already written.
Not on the board, but in his life.
Success is not a destination. It's the
journey. It's becoming better than you
were yesterday. It's lifting others as
you rise. It's staying true to who you
are, no matter how far you go. And in
that quiet moment, surrounded by smiling
children and a simple village, Zah felt
something he would never forget. He had
truly succeeded.
Thank you so much for watching and
listening today. I hope you enjoyed the
story and found it helpful for your
English practice.
Remember, improving your English takes
time and patience, but every word you
read and every sentence you listen to
brings you closer to your goal. If you
like this video, feel free to watch it
again or practice speaking along with
the story.
Repeating and listening multiple times
can really help you remember new words
and improve your pronunciation.
You can also try writing your own
sentences or telling the story in your
own words. That is a great way to build confidence.
confidence.
Learning a new language is not always
easy, but it is very rewarding.
Stories like this one not only help you
improve your skills, but also teach
important lessons about life and success.
success.
Keep believing in yourself and keep
practicing every day. Small steps make
big changes.
If you want to keep learning, I have
many more videos with interesting
stories and useful English lessons. Be
sure to check them out and continue your journey.
journey.
Your hard work will pay off. Thank you
again for spending time with me today. I
am proud of you for choosing to learn
and grow. Keep practicing, stay
motivated, and never give up.
English is a skill you can master, and
I'm here to help you along the way. Have
a wonderful day, and I hope to see you
in the next video. Goodbye for now, and
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