Lesson 4. Pen Friends

 

Have you ever waited by the front door for the mailman? Probably you lave. Everyone likes to receive letters, but most people don't like to write them.

Writing a letter is like talking on paper. A letter is a one-sided conversation. You can say whatever you want without anyone else talking.

Writing letters is interesting and useful. You can exchange thoughts with friends living in faraway places. You can learn a lot about their countries and many other things.

Here are two letters. They are part of a conversation between Mumbi and Sang-ho.

 

July 10, 1995

Dear Sang-ho,

Your letter was a surprise! I didn't expect to get a letter from Korea. Thanks for your letter. I am looking forward to learning about Korea from you.

I'm glad to hear that you are interested in Kenya. My country is on the east coast of Africa between Somalia and Tanzania.

Kenya is famous for its national parks. Only ten minutes away from the capital city of Nairobi, visitors can see animals in the wild.

There's no better place in the world to study wild animal life.

Korea is known to the Kenyan people because of two international events, the '88 Olympics and Expo '93. If you could send me some pictures of Expo, I'd be grateful.

I'm afraid I must say good-bye now. Please write again soon.

Your African friend,

Mumbi

 

July 25, 1995

Dear Mumbi,

Received your letter yesterday.

Even in Africa you have heard about Expo'93! I went to Expo twice. There were many interesting exhibits. Children were excited about riding on the Expo train and spending their time at the amusement park. I', sending you some postcards I bought at Expo. Look at the unusual building in the picture. It looked as if it were made out of precious jewels. But it was made out of old bottles.

Look at this tower standing in the middle of the Expo site. it's called Hanbit'ap, which means the Tower of Great Light.

Don't you think this card is interesting ?

These robots are playing Samulnori. The four robots are playing Korean musical instruments. They seem like people, don't they? I hope you like these postcards. If you have any questions about them, ask me in your next letter.

With best wishes,

Sangho

Dialogue(1)

Sang-ho : I'd like to mail this letter to Nairobi.

Woman : Are you sending it by express ?

Sang-ho : No, by airmail.

Woman : That will be 650 won. Anything else I can do for you ?

Sang-ho : Do you have any Expo stamps ?

Woman : Yes. How many do you want ?

Sang-ho : Five 110-won stamps, please.

 

Dialogue(2)

Sang-ho : I'm looking for a birthday present for my pen pal in Africa.

Mike : A pen pal ?

Sang-ho : Yes. It's fun to have a pen pal. What should I send him ?

Mike : It might be a good idea to send him a book about Korea.

Sang-ho : What about this one ?

Mike : It looks good.

Sang-ho : (to clerk) I'd like to have this gift wrapped, please.