They Laughed at His Simplicity — Then Saw His Mansion | English Listening & Practice Story (A2)

Added: 2026-05-18

[00:00:00]Keep watching the door. Tell me if she is coming. Hurry, some students are already looking at you. Almost done.

[00:00:08]Done. Now, put the marker in Ethan's bag. Fast.

[00:00:12]The marker is in. He does not know. Go back to your seat.

[00:00:16]What is this? Who drew this on my board?

[00:00:19]This is very disrespectful. I want to know who did this right now.

[00:00:26]Ethan, >> [music] >> eat slowly. You still have time before school. I am ready, Mom. My bag [music] is packed and I finished my homework.

[00:00:35]Good. Work hard [music] today, son.

[00:00:37]Everyday counts. I will, Dad. Goodbye, Mom. Goodbye, Dad.

[00:00:42]Goodbye.

[00:00:47]>> [bell] >> Look at this. My father bought it yesterday. It is a very expensive watch.

[00:00:53]Wow, Ryan. It looks so good. How much did it cost? Only rich people wear watches like that. You are so lucky, Ryan. Lucky? No. We just live differently from others.

[00:01:09]Ethan, you scored the highest marks in the whole class. I am very proud of you.

[00:01:14]Thank you, ma'am. I studied every night this week.

[00:01:18]This is what hard work looks like, class.

[00:01:21]Everyone should follow Ethan's example.

[00:01:24]Teacher always talks about Ethan. It is so annoying. I will do something that will destroy Ethan's reputation.

[00:01:32]My father ordered this jacket from abroad. It arrived yesterday.

[00:01:36]It looks so expensive, Ryan. Nobody else has one like this.

[00:01:41]You always have the best things.

[00:01:43]I wish my family was like yours.

[00:01:46]That is just how we live.

[00:01:48]Not everyone can afford this kind of life.

[00:01:55]Look at this boy, reading alone again like he has no friends at all.

[00:01:59]I enjoy reading. Please leave me alone, Ryan.

[00:02:03]Tell me, do you even own one new thing?

[00:02:05]Your shoes look very old. What I wear does not matter. What I learn does.

[00:02:09]Please go away.

[00:02:11]Look at this. My father got me the newest phone. I brought it today. Ryan, phones are not allowed in school. You will get in trouble.

[00:02:20]Only poor students get in trouble.

[00:02:23]Boys like me always find a way out.

[00:02:26]It is so new. Can I hold it for 1 second? Let's go from here. I need to talk about something important. Okay, let's go. Yeah, coming. I am tired of Miss Sophia always praising Ethan in front of everyone. Me, too. She said follow Ethan again today. It is embarrassing for us.

[00:02:45]Tomorrow, I will draw something on the board before she arrives.

[00:02:50]And when she sees it, she will check Ethan's [music] bag and find it. He will get all the blame.

[00:02:55]Keep watching the door. Tell me if she is coming. Hurry. Some students are already looking at you. Almost done.

[00:03:03]Done. Now, put the marker in Ethan's bag. Fast.

[00:03:09]The marker is in. He does not know. Go back to your seat.

[00:03:14]What is this? [music] Who drew this on my board? This is very disrespectful. I want to know who did this right now.

[00:03:21]Ma'am, >> [music] >> I saw Ethan near the board before you came in. Is that so?

[00:03:27]I also saw him go near the board earlier this morning.

[00:03:31]He had the marker in his hand. No, that is not true.

[00:03:38]Then why is this marker inside your bag?

[00:03:41]I do not know how it got there. I never touched the board. I promise. Ethan, I am very disappointed. I expected [music] better from you of all students.

[00:03:52]Go and stand outside for the whole period. We will talk later.

[00:03:57]Ma'am, please just listen to me for 1 minute.

[00:04:01]I am telling [music] the truth.

[00:04:03]I have heard enough.

[00:04:05]The marker was in your bag.

[00:04:07]Go outside now.

[00:04:09]This is not fair.

[00:04:12]But I will be okay.

[00:04:15]The plan worked perfectly. Even the marker was found. Miss Sophia looked so disappointed with him. Did you see her face? I know it was perfect.

[00:04:25]Nobody is going to believe boring Ethan now. Good. Now maybe teacher will stop putting him above everyone.

[00:04:32]I did nothing wrong.

[00:04:34]Why does nobody believe me?

[00:04:36]Ryan and his friends always smile when something bad happens to me.

[00:04:42]But I will not let this stop me.

[00:04:45]I know who I am.

[00:04:48]I will go home and study. That is all I can do right now. Ethan, come and sit.

[00:04:53]You look tired today. What happened at school? Some students blamed me for something I did not do, Mom.

[00:05:00]Teacher believed them. Did you explain yourself? Did you tell her the truth clearly?

[00:05:05]I tried, Mom, but nobody listened.

[00:05:09]I was punished and I could not do anything. [music] Your mother told me about today.

[00:05:20]That must have been very hard for you.

[00:05:22]>> [music] >> Dad, I was blamed for something I never did.

[00:05:25]Ryan put that marker in my bag.

[00:05:27]>> [music] >> I believe you. Good people often face unfair situations. That is part of life.

[00:05:33]How do I get through it, Dad? I feel like giving up sometimes. You do not give up, Ethan, ever. That is exactly what they want you to do. [music] But it hurts when people think badly of you without reason.

[00:05:45]Let your results speak for you. Results are louder than any words or [music] any rumor.

[00:05:51]Yes, Dad. I will keep working. I will not let them win. I must not [music] stop.

[00:05:57]Exams are coming in a few weeks.

[00:05:59]Ryan spends his time showing off his phone and his watch. But I spend my time on this.

[00:06:05]That is the difference between us. One day they will understand.

[00:06:09]But for now, I study. Look at this new game. It came out yesterday. Only new phones have it. Wow, the graphics are so clear. I want phones so much. Some people can only afford old things. Not everyone is lucky like me. Focus, Ethan.

[00:06:25]Just focus.

[00:06:29]Ethan, can I sit here?

[00:06:32]I want to tell you something.

[00:06:34]Of course, Maya. The library is for everyone.

[00:06:36]>> [music] >> I know you didn't draw on the board. I saw Ryan do it. And I saw Jake put the marker in your bag. Thank you for telling me, Maya, but it is okay. I will be fine. My father is going to London next month for a big business meeting.

[00:06:50][music] He travels every month. Every month? That is amazing. What business does your father do exactly?

[00:06:56]>> [music] >> Big deals. International things. You would not understand it. It is very high-level. One day I want to travel [music] like that, too. Exams begin Monday.

[00:07:06]Please revise all chapters [music] from the beginning of the year.

[00:07:10]I have barely written any notes.

[00:07:13]I am in serious trouble.

[00:07:15]Me, too. I was not paying attention for months. What do we do?

[00:07:20]I am ready.

[00:07:22]I have been preparing for this.

[00:07:27]You may turn your papers over and begin.

[00:07:31]No talking. No moving.

[00:07:34]I don't know the first question.

[00:07:37]Do you? Shh.

[00:07:39]I don't know, either.

[00:07:40]Just try your best.

[00:07:42]I know this.

[00:07:44]I studied this three nights ago.

[00:07:48]That exam was not too bad, actually. I think I answered most of it. Really? I left two big questions completely empty.

[00:07:55]I am so worried. Same. I hope I at least pass. I cannot repeat this year. I think I answered everything well. Let us all just wait and see.

[00:08:06]Good morning, everyone.

[00:08:09]Today, we announce our grade eight results.

[00:08:13]I hope I am at least in the top 10.

[00:08:16]I need something good.

[00:08:18]I just need to pass. I am not hoping for anything big.

[00:08:23]The student with the highest marks in the entire grade this year is Ethan.

[00:08:28]First position with the highest marks in grade eight.

[00:08:39]It is my pleasure to present this award to you. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you to everyone.

[00:08:49]Ryan, did you know Ethan was this smart? First in the whole grade. No, I had no idea.

[00:08:56]He was studying every night while we were doing nothing useful.

[00:08:59]I don't feel good right now.

[00:09:02]Something feels very wrong.

[00:09:05]>> [sighs] >> How can this poor boy top the class?

[00:09:10]Mom, Dad, I have topped the class.

[00:09:13]Congratulations, Ethan. We are very proud of you.

[00:09:18]Yes, son. This time, we will give you a gift of your choice.

[00:09:22]I have another plan this time, Dad. I want to host a celebration party for all my classmates.

[00:09:28]Hmm, that is a great idea, Ethan. When can we start the arrangements? This Sunday is fine. Sure, we are all available on Sunday.

[00:09:38]I think we should have the party in our lounge. Yes, that is a good idea.

[00:09:44]Hello.

[00:09:45]I am Alex, Ethan's father.

[00:09:48]Hello, sir. Congratulations on your son's achievement.

[00:09:52]Thank you. We are hosting a celebration party at our mansion this Sunday. The staff and Ethan's classmates are invited. Thank you for the invitation. I will inform everyone. Miss Sophia, Ethan's father invited the class to a celebration party this Sunday at his house. Please inform the students. Sure, ma'am. I will tell them.

[00:10:11]Class, I have exciting news.

[00:10:14]Ethan's parents are hosting a celebration party for him tonight.

[00:10:18]A party? Where is it? What time? Can we all come?

[00:10:23]Yes, all of you are invited. The school van will take you there this Sunday.

[00:10:30]Let's see this poor boy's celebration party.

[00:10:36]Is this Is this really Ethan's house? This is enormous.

[00:10:42]>> [sighs and gasps] >> Look at those cars outside. Those are the most expensive cars I have ever seen. He never said a single word about any of this.

[00:10:51]This is Ethan's home?

[00:10:55]Welcome, everyone. We are so happy you came to celebrate with Ethan tonight.

[00:11:00]Thank you so much, ma'am. Your home is incredibly beautiful.

[00:11:04]You are very kind. Please come in, eat, and enjoy yourselves fully.

[00:11:10]Hello, everyone.

[00:11:11]I am so glad you came to share this moment with Ethan tonight. Sir, we had no idea Ethan's home was like this. We are very surprised.

[00:11:20]We do not talk about these things. Hard work and good character matter far more than money.

[00:11:26]My father always says that, and I have always believed it, too. Ethan has all of this, and he never once mentioned it to anyone.

[00:11:36]He never wore expensive things.

[00:11:38]He never showed off anything at school.

[00:11:40]And Ryan always pretended to be the rich one. But look at all of this.

[00:11:49]We all did. We blamed him for things we did ourselves. That was wrong. I have been showing off my watch and my phone and my jacket. But Ethan, he never showed off anything. Everyone, please pay attention. It's time to cut the cake. Come on everyone.

[00:12:10]Congratulations, Ethan. Ethan, I need to say something important and I want you to hear it. Okay, Ryan. Go ahead. I am listening. I am sorry. The drawing on the board was me. Jake put the marker in your bag. You were completely innocent.

[00:12:24]I was jealous of you because teacher always praised you. I treated you badly and I am truly sorry. I hear you. And I forgive you. Staying angry never helps anyone. You are a better person than I have been.

[00:12:37]I want to be better, too. Then let us start from today.

[00:12:41]All of us.

[00:12:42]Together.

[00:12:43]That is all that matters now.

[00:12:48]Hello.

[00:12:49]Friends, you are studying without me?

[00:12:52]Hmm. Let's study together.

[00:13:01]Hello everyone. Please comment and tell us what you learned from this video and subscribe to English learning companion channel.

[00:13:09]>> [laughter]