The Last Straw: English Speaking and Listening Practice

EPISODE · Mar 16, 2026 · 29 MIN

The Last Straw: English Speaking and Listening Practice

from SpeakSmart English · host Norse Studio

Tom was a dedicated employee who worked at an office, where he faced a constant increase in the amount of work assigned by his boss. The only joy he experienced during his demanding workdays was his daily sandwich, which he eagerly anticipated every morning. This meal represented his only opportunity to relax and find peace amidst his professional responsibilities.One day, the situation took a negative turn when Tom arrived at the break room and realized that someone had taken his sandwich. This event proved to be the last straw for him, as he was already exhausted by the overwhelming workload. Driven by anger and disappointment, he stormed into his boss's office to declare that he was quitting immediately.The boss, caught off guard, questioned why Tom wanted to leave. Tom cited the excessive work and the theft of his lunch as the primary reasons for his departure. In a surprising moment of honesty, the boss looked embarrassed and admitted that he had actually eaten Tom's sandwich.Hoping to make it up to Tom and prevent him from leaving, the boss proposed a generous deal: he would double Tom's salary and provide him with a full lunch every single day. However, Tom shook his head, rejecting the financial incentive. He presented a single, specific condition for his continued employment: the office must provide a high-security fridge specifically for his sandwiches. The boss accepted this unique demand, leading to a resolution where everyone involved was happy.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/speaksmart-english--6886546/support.

NOW PLAYING

The Last Straw: English Speaking and Listening Practice

0:00 29:55

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Al Jazeera English Al Jazeera Network #AlJazeeraEnglish, we focus on people and events that affect people's lives. We bring topics to light that often go under-reported, listening to all sides of the story and giving a 'voice to the voiceless.'Reaching more than 282 million households in over 140 countries across the globe, our viewers trust #AlJazeeraEnglish to keep them informed, inspired, and entertained.Our impartial, fact-based reporting wins worldwide praise and respect. It is our unique brand of #journalism that the world has come to rely on.We are reshaping global media and constantly working to strengthen our reputation as one of the world's most respected #news and #CurrentAffairs channels. Al-Quran In English Dr. Soha The complete Quran translation in English, Narrated by Dr. Soha. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Truth or Fake FRANCE 24 English Truth or Fake is a fact-checking rendez-vous in association with the FRANCE 24 Observers. Our content focuses on false images circulating online and how to identify them. Monday to Thursday at 8:45pm and 10:20pm Paris time. The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien Audiobook Raghvendra Singh The journey through Middle-earth begins here with J.R.R. Tolkien's classic prelude to his Lord of the Rings trilogy.“A glorious account of a magnificent adventure, filled with suspense and seasoned with a quiet humor that is irresistible... All those, young or old, who love a fine adventurous tale, beautifully told, will take The Hobbit to their hearts.”—The New York Times Book Review"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit." So begins one of the most beloved and delightful tales in the English language—Tolkien's prelude to The Lord of the Rings. Set in the imaginary world of Middle-earth, at once a classic myth and a modern fairy tale, The Hobbit is one of literature's most enduring and well-loved novels.Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling any farther than his pantry or cellar. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away
URL copied to clipboard!