Naaman: The General Angry at a Simple Answer
Learn English Through Story With a Video and a Quiz
Naaman is a general in a story in the Bible about finding help for a skin disease.
This page tells his story in easy English for learners, with a video, new words, and a quiz.
Watch the video first. Then read the story, learn the new words, and take the quiz.
This general travels for many days to find a cure. And the answer makes him very, very angry. Why? The Bible tells the story.
His name is Naaman. He is the head of a great army. He is strong, rich and famous.
But Naaman has a problem. He has a skin disease, and no doctor can help him.
A young girl works in his house. She comes from a small country nearby. One day she says, in my country there is a holy man. He can help.
So Naaman goes. He takes horses, servants, silver, gold, and ten sets of fine clothes. A great man needs a great cure, he thinks.
After many days, he stops in front of a small, simple house. He waits for the holy man to come out.
But the holy man doesn't come out. He only sends a servant with a short message.
Go to the Jordan River. Wash in it seven times. And you will be well.
Naaman is furious. That's it? I came all this way for a bath? We have better rivers at home!
He turns around to go home. But his servants stop him.
Sir, they say, if he asked you to do something hard, you would do it. So why not something easy?
Naaman thinks about it. Then he goes down to the river. It is small. It is brown. He goes in anyway.
One time. Nothing. Two times. Nothing. Three, four, five, six. Still nothing.
Seven. He comes out of the water, and his skin is like new.
So, are you looking for the big secret of learning English? Maybe there is no big secret.
Read a little. Listen a little. Speak a little. Then do it again, and again.
It's simple. That's why it works.
a general the leader of an army
From the story: This general travels for many days to find a cure.
a cure something that makes a sick person well again
From the story: This general travels for many days to find a cure .
an army a large group of soldiers
From the story: He is the head of a great army .
famous known by many people
From the story: He is strong, rich and famous .
a disease a sickness
From the story: He has a skin disease , and no doctor can help him.
holy special in a religious way
From the story: One day she says, in my country there is a holy man.
a servant a person who works in another person's house
From the story: He takes horses, servants , silver, gold, and ten sets of fine clothes.
a message words that one person sends to another
From the story: He only sends a servant with a short message .
furious very, very angry
From the story: Naaman is furious .
anyway even so; it does not change what he does
From the story: He goes in anyway .
Choose the right answer. You will see at once if you are right.
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1. What is Naaman's job?
A) He is a doctor B) He is a general C) He is a king's cook
He is the head of a great army.
2. What is his problem?
A) A skin disease B) He has no money left C) His army lost a war
He has a skin disease, and no doctor can help him.
3. Who tells him about the holy man?
A) An old doctor from the city B) The king of the country C) A young servant girl
A young girl who works in his house tells him.
4. What does the message say?
A) Bring more silver and gold B) Wash in the river 7 times C) Climb the highest mountain
Go to the Jordan River. Wash in it seven times.
5. Why is Naaman furious?
A) The answer is too simple B) The servant is rude to him C) The river is too far away
He came a long way with gold and silver, and the answer is only a bath.
6. What do his servants tell him?
A) Go home, the river is too cold B) Ask a different holy man C) Try it, because it is easy
If he asked you to do something hard, you would do it. So why not something easy?
Talk About It
What small thing do you do every day to learn English? Is it easy or hard to do it every day?
Tell us in English in the comments under the video.
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