1	CLASSIC GHOST STORY
2	THE HAND Reading comprehension and oral practice in pairs/groups There are two ways to use this story: READING COMPREHENSION: If you are on your own and wish to do some reading, read the story and enjoy it. READING COMPREHENSION AND ORAL PRACTICE IN PAIRS/GROUPS: Enjoy this story and practise English with your partner/s. Every time you see this symbol, click on it. there will be some questions that you will have to discuss in pairs/groups BEFORE you continue reading. Don’t cheat. It’s important that you stop and talk before you continue reading the following paragraph.
3	THE HAND (I) Once upon a time there was a painter who was getting on in age and didn't have a lot of money. There was an art exhibit that was coming to town and not only would it make him famous but it would make him a lot of money if he won. The artist was stewing because he tried painting but, no matter how hard he tried, he knew his paintings weren't good enough. He began thinking about how he could win the prize when all of a sudden the most terrifying figure appeared. It was a shrivelled old man with no hands and no eyes, only empty sockets. It began to speak. "I know how desperately you want to do well at that exhibit. I can guarantee you win on the condition you give me your right hand". The painter knew the presence was evil, but at this point he was so desperate that he agreed.
4	THE HAND (II) The next day he showed up at the exhibit to see the most spectacular painting he had ever seen signed in his name. He took home his prize but that night the presence appeared and, with one swift swing of a very large knife, the artist's hand was gone. Some time later the artist was enjoying his fame and fortune, he had made up a story about his hand and he had basically forgotten about the deal he'd made until one frightful night when he was awakened by a loud “tap, tap, tap” on his window. He woke up to see the hand. It was begging to be let in. Ignoring it, he went back to sleep. Again later “tap, tap, tap”. Again, it wanted in. The artist ignored it again, but was getting nervous. A while later this happened again. This time the artist screamed for the hand to leave him alone. The rest of the night he slept peacefully and the next morning he thought he'd been dreaming.
5	THE HAND (III) The next night he was again in a peaceful sleep when he heard a loud crash downstairs. Waking with a start, he headed downstairs to investigate. The last thing he felt was a hand gripping his leg. He was found two months later. Neighbours had been complaining of a bad smell. The cause of his death: a broken neck, a nasty fall down the stairs.
6	THE HAND Comprehension Questions (I) What would you have done if you had been in the same situation? What is going to happen next? Do you think he will finally be successful as a painter? Click here to continue reading the story: The Hand (II)
7	THE HAND Comprehension Questions (II) Is fame worth a hand? Who was knocking on the man’s window? Would you have continued sleeping? Is anything more dreadful (terrible) going to happen to the painter? What? In the novel and film Wuthering Heights (Cumbres borrascosas), there is also some frightening knocking on the window. Do you know what happened in that case? Click here to read more: The Hand (III)
8	THE HAND Comprehension Questions (III) How did the painter die? Who or what killed him? Do you think he was a lonely man? Why? Make up a different ending for the story. Click here to read the story again: The Hand (I) The End