The Elephant ManTHE ELEPHANT MAN ‘A hundsed years ago, the world was very different Poor people lived in cold, dark homes, and never saw a doctor when they were ill. And if you were poor and very, very ualy ‘This isthe story of a poor, ugly man. Nobody loved him, everyone laughed at him. They put im in a cage, Tike an animal at the 200. Then one day a doctor saw him and thought, ‘This poor man is interesting, I want to study him.” Slowly, the Elephant Man became famous, and everyone wanted to meet him. Even the Queen visited hit But what was the Elephant Man really like? Did he think and fel like other people? Was he a sad, angry ‘man? Could he ever smile and laugh, and forget his uely faceand his strange, uely body?ees ~commmmenreniet tt, CONTENTS Mauipaiiyeanee in ope To arn nang Et Maa Deh Shab ape Toe inf eh oe hee Pace Ge 1 The Creature inthe Shop 1 are leer are 2 theca 8 oer 3 ALenerto"TheTiner 8 Seca e 4 Maris Fin Home 6 Tianmeconoaesuncny renee 5. Anlmporant Visitor 2 nemesis eet 6 Outside the Hostal 2» eee 7 TheLawtLeee 4s See ee re By reese eer ae 2 a Coenen ee Acres Before Reading “ eS ircyiechaanse nerirs: While Reading ‘6 peers eicciaceeeer] eee : ian eae ee Paes ae 2 a fooormaocremidinaany 53 unpocincaasesae Dnt e8 7Chapter t THE CREATURE IN THE SHOP ‘My name is Dr Frederick Treves. Iam a doctor at the London Hospital. One day in 1884, I saw a picture in the window of a shop near the hospital. I stopped in front of the shop and looked at the picture. Ac first 1 felt interested, then I felt angry, then afraid. It was a horrible, ugly picture. There was a man in the picture, One day, Dr Treves saw a picture ina shop sear the hospital 1The Elephant Man but he did not look like you and me. He did not look like a man, He looked like an elephant. Tread the writingunder the pictur. It said: Come in and see the Elephant Man, Two pence. Topened the door and went i. ‘There was a man in the shop. He was a dirty man in an old coat with a cigarette in his mouth. ‘What do you want? he asked. ‘Td like to see the elephant man, please,’ I said. The man looked at me angrily. ‘Well, you can't,’ he said. “The shop's closing now. You can come back “Vm sorry,’ I said. ‘But I would like to see him now. Thave no time tomorrow ~I have a lot of work to do. But Ican give you more than two pence.’ ‘The man looked at me carefully. Then he took the cigarette out of his mouth and smiled with his yellow teeth ‘All sight, sit,’ he said, ‘Give me twelve pence then.” Igave himthemoney and he opened adooratthe back of the shop. We went into alittle room. The room was cold and dark, and there was a horrible smell in it. ‘A creature sat on a chair behind a table. I say a creature, because it was not a man or a woman, like you or me, The creature did not move or look at us. It sat very quietly on the chair in the cold, dark, dirty 2 ‘The Creature inthe Shop room, and looked atthe table. The creature had a cloth over its head, because of the cold. On the table in front oft, there was a dead flower. “Stand up? said the shopkeeper, loudly. ‘The creature stood up slowly. Ittook the old cloth off its head, and putit on the chai. Isat very quietly on the chair inthe cold, dark, dirty room. 3‘The Elephant Man The Creature in the Shop looked at the creature and felt sad. Iam a doctor, so I know a lot about accidents and ill people. I see horrible, ugly things every day. But this creature, this thing, was the worst of all. There were no men or ‘women in the hospital like him. He wore some old trousers, but no shirt, coat, or shoes, s0 I could see his body very well. His head was the most interesting thing. It was very, very big like an enormous bag with a ot of books ini. The head did not have much hais, and there was another bag of brown, dirty skin at the back of it. This skin came down below his neck. I could not see one of his eyes very well, because a lot of skin came down in front of hisface, too, ‘An enormous red tooth came out of his mouth, under his nose. It looked like an elephant’s tooth. The mouth and nose were like holes in the face. The face could nor smile or laugh or look angry or sad, because the skin could not move. It was dead, like an elephant’s| face ‘There were more bags of dirty skin on the front and back of the creature's body. These bags came down to hh legs. The right arm was enormous, and there were bags of skin on it, too. The right hand was like a man’s foot. Bur the left hand ~ the left arm and the left hand 4 ‘were beautiful! The left arm had wonderful skin, and. the fingers of the left hand were long and beautiful. Ie was like a young woman’s hand! “Walk, Merrick!’ said che shopkeeper angrily. ‘Come ‘on, quickly, move!’ He hie the creature with his hand. Slowly, the creature walked across the room. But he ‘could not walk well. His legs were very big and fat, and, he had a bad back. He could not walk far without a stick. “All right, chank yous’ I said. ‘Let him sit down. I don't want to see any more.’ I felt ill, and the smell in the room was very bad. “Yes, si,’ said the shopkeeper. ‘Sitdown, Merrick.” ‘The left hand was like a woman's hand; the fingers ‘were long and beautiful. 3The Elephant Man ‘We went out of the room and closed the door. The shopkeeper smiled at me with his yellow teeth. “Wonderful, sir, isn’t it® he said. “The best Elephant ‘Man in England! Hundreds of people come to see him, you know, hundreds! [take him all over the country, I dor “Yes, very interesting,’ Isaid. ‘Can Isit down? “Yes, sir, of course, Here's a chair.” He looked at me, smiling, “Would you like a glass of water, sie?” “Yes, please,’ I said. Then I looked at the chings in the dirty shop. There were two or thece bad apples and some old black bananas: that was all. Er, no ... no, thank you. I'm all right,’ I said. ‘Did you ... did you call the creature Merrick? “That's right, si. Joseph Merrick. The best Elephant ‘Man in England? I take him all over the country, you know. Lots of people want ro sce him.” “Yes, [see. Do you get a lor of money?" “Well, sometimes we do, sir, yes. But it’s difficul, you see, si, because of the police. The police don’ like us, you see, sir. So we can’t stay in a town very long. ‘Weusually move every week.” "Yes, Well, anyway, Me... er? “Yes, well, Me Silcock, I'm a doctor at the London Hospital, My name is Dr Treves. I think this .. er . e ‘The Creature in the Shop ‘Then looked at the things in the dirty shop. this man Joseph Merrick is very interesting, and 1 ‘would like to see him at the hospital. | want to look at him more carefully, you see." *Yes sit, sce, But how can he get to the hospital? I's goingto bedifficult.” “Why, man? The hospital’s not far from here.” ‘Well, yes, sit. I know. But, you see, Merrick can't walle very well. He needs help.” *You can come with him. Do you want more money? Isthatit?” “Well, yes, si, I do, But, you see, people are afraid of him too... In the road, litle boys always run after him 7‘The Blepbant Man and hit him. Then the police get angry because people are afraid. Sometimes they take us to prison.” “Isee,’Isaid. ‘Well, how can he come to the hospital, then?” “Bring a cab, sir,’ said Silcock. “You can take him to the hospital in a cab.” Chapter THE CARD So next day, at seven o'clock, I came to the shop in a cab. There were not very many people in the road, because it was early in the morning. In November it is dark at seven o'clock in the morning, and I could not sce the shop very well. I waited five minutes. A postman walked past. Then the door of the shop ‘opened, and the creature, Merrick, came out. T could not see his face or his body. He had an enormous black hat on his head, like a big box. A grey cloth came down from the hat, in front of his face. ‘There was a hole in the cloth in front of his eyes. He could see out of the hole but I could not see in. He wore a long black coat, too. The coat began at his neck, and ended at his feet, so I could not see his arms, 8 The Card his body, or his legs. On his feet he wore big shoes ike oldbags He had a stick in his left hand, and he walked very slovly. lopened the door ofthe cab, and got out. “Good morning, Mr Merrick,’ I said. ‘Can you get in? ‘Elpmyupasteps' he said “Ym sorry Isaid. ‘Idon’t understand.” For a minute he stood by the door of the cab and said nothing, Then heh the cab with his tick. “STEPS he said loudly. Help me up the steps! “Help me up the steps!" °The Elephant Man ‘Then I understood. There were three steps up into the cab, and he could not get up them, “Yes, Isee. Pm sorry,’ said. ‘Let me help you. 1 ook his left hand and began to help him. My right hand was behind his back. I fele very strange. His left hand was like a young woman's, but his back, under the coat, was horrible. I could feel the bags of old skin ‘omhis back under the coat. He put one enormous foot on the first step, and then he stopped. After a minute, he moved his second foot slowly. Then he stopped and waited again, ‘Hello, sit. Can Thelp you?” looked behind me. Ir was the postman. And behind him, I could see three young boys. One of the boys laughed, “The postman smiled. ‘Is the gentleman ill? he asked thought quickly. “Yes. Bue this is a lady, not a gentleman, I'm a doctor, and she’s ill. Take her hand, so can help her better. The postman took Merrick’s left hand, and I helped him with two hands from behind. Slowly, very slowly, Merrick went up the steps and into the cab. ‘One boy was very near the cab. He called to his friends. ‘Come and see this, boys! A fat lady in a black coat! ‘And look at that enormous hat?” 10 The Card ‘The boys laughed. They were very near the cab too, now. [closed the door quickly. “Thank you,’ I said to the postman. “That's all right, sit,’ he said. ‘She's a strange lady, sir, isn’tshe?" “She's ill, that’s all’ I said quickly. “We're going to the hospital. Goodbye, and thank you.” ‘The cab drove down the road to the hospital. I looked at Meztick. ‘Thar was difficult, wasn’ it?” I said, “Heres my card.” u‘The Elephant Man At first he said nothing, but then he spoke. His voice ‘was very strange, but I listened to him carefully, and I could understand him, ‘The steps were very difficult’ he said. “But most things are difficult forme.’ “Yes, said. “Nothing is easy for you ist?” ‘No,’ he said. He was very quiet for a minute. Then he said, “Who are you, sir?” “Who am I? Oh, Pm sorry. My name is Dr Treves. Here, this is my card.” 1 gave him a catd with my name on, Then I thought, “That was no good. This man can’t read,” But Merrick took the card and looked at it very carefully. Then he putit in his trousers pocket. I did not talk to him very much at the hospital. looked at his head and arms and legs and body very carefully. Then I wrote the important things about him ima little book. A nurse helped me. Merrick looked at her sometimes, but she did not smile at him or talk to hie [think she was afraid of him. I think Merrick was afraid too, because he was very quiet. At four o'clock I took him back to the shop ina cab. ‘The next day I looked in the shop window again, but the picture was not there. 2 Chapter s ALETTER TO “THE TIMES’ 1 did not see Merrick again for two years. Then, one day, the police found him. He had my card in his hand, so they brought him to the London Hospital. He was very tired, hungry, and diy, so I put him to bed in a quiet little room. But he could not stay atthe hospital He was not ill, and of couse the beds in the hospital are for ill people. We have no beds for hungry people, ‘or ugly people. (One day the police brought Merrick o the hospital B‘The Elephant Man ALLetter to The Times? I told the Hospital Chairman, Mr Carr Gomm, about Merrick. He listened carefully, and then he wrote a letter to the editor of The Times newspaper. From The Times, December 4th, 1885 ALetterto the Editor Deer Sir, am writing to you about a manin our hospital. He needs your help. His name is Joseph Merrick, and he is 27 yearsold. Heis notill, buthe cannot go outof the hospital because he is very, very ugly. Nobody likesto look at him, and some people are afraid of him. We call him the ‘Elephant Man’. ‘Two years ago, Merrick lived in a shop near the London Hospital. Fortwo pence, people couldses him ‘and laugh et him. One day Dr Frederick Treves - a hospital doctor ~ saw Merrick, brought him to this hospital, and looked at him carefully. Dr Treves could not help Merrick, but he gave him his card. ‘Then the shopkeeper, Silcock, took Merrick to Belgium. A lot of people in Belgium wanted to seo him, and so after a year Merrick had £50. But then Siloocktook Mertick’s £50, left Merrickin Belgium, and went back to London. 4 Merrick came back to London by himself. Everyone onthetrain andthe ship looked at him, and laughed at him. In London, the police put him in prison. But then they saw Dr Treves's card, and brought Merrickto the London Hospital. This man has no money, and he cannot work. His face and body are very, very ugly, $0 of course many people are afraid of him. But he is a very interesting man. He can read and write, and he thinks a lot. He is ‘a good, quiet man, Sometimes he makes things with hishands end gives them to the nurses, because they are kind to him. He remembers his mother, and he has a picture of her. She was beautiful and kind, he says. Buthe never sees her now. She gave him to Silcock @ long time ago. Can the readers of The Timeshelp us? This man is rot il, but he needs @ home. We can give him a room atthe hospital, butweneed some money. Please write ‘to meat the London Hospital. Yours faithfully, F.C. Carr Gomm Chairman of the London HospitalSometimes he makes things with his hands ‘and gives them to the nurses, ‘The readers of The Times are very kind people. They. gave us a lot of money. After one week, we had £50,000, so Merrick could live in the hospital for all his life, We could give him a home. a MERRICK’S FIRST HOME We gave Merrick two rooms at the back of the hospital. One room was a bathroom, so he could have 1 bath every day: Soon his skin was much better, and there was no horrible smell 16 Mervick's First Home The second room had a bed, table, and chairs. 1 visited him every day, and talked to him. He loved reading, and talking about books. At first he did not know many books: the Bible, and one or two newspapers, thats all. But I gave him some books of love stories, and he liked them very much. He read ‘them again and again, and talked about them often. Forhim, the men and women in these books were alive, like you and me. He was very happy. But sometimes it was diffcule for him. At first, one ‘or evo people in the hospital laughed at Merrick because he was ugly. Sometimes, chey brought their friends to look at him, One day a new murse came to, the hospital, and nobody told her about Merrick. She ‘We gave Merrick two rooms atthe back ofthe hospital. 7Leas very angry with the nurse. took his food to his room, and opened the door. Then she saw him. She screamed, dropped the food on the floor, and ran outof the room. Twas very angry with the nurse, and went to see Merrick. He was not happy about it, but he was not very angry. think he felt sorry forthe gil ‘People don’t like looking at me. I know that, Dr Treves, he said. ‘They usually laugh or seream.” “Well, I don’t want nurses to laugh at you, Joseph,’ I said angrily. “Iwantthem to help you.” “Thank you, doctor,’ he said, in his strange slow voice. ‘But it's not important. Everyone laughs at me. 1 understand that.” looked at him sadly. In his one good hand, his left 8 Merrick's First Home hhand, he had the litle picture of his mother. He looked at the picture for a minute, and then put it by a flower on the table, A tear ran out of his eye and down the skin of his enormous, ualy fa “Dr Treves,’he said, slowly. “You and the nurses are very kind, and I'm very happy here. Thank you very much. But ... I know I can’t stay here long, and ... I would like to live in a lighthouse, after the hospital, please. A lighthouse, or a home for blind people. 1 think those are the best places for me.” Ibis one good hand he had the pictur of his mother. 19‘The Elephant Man “What do you mean?’ Iasked, Why?” He did not look at me. He put the flower on the picture and looked atit carefully. ‘Lighthouses have sea all round them, don’t they?” he said. ‘Nobody could look at me in a lighthouse, so would be happy there. And blind people can see nothing, so they couldn’tsce me, could they?” “But Joseph,’ said, this is your home. You live here now. You aren’t goingto leave the hospital.” “Not today, perhaps,’ he said. ‘But soon. You are a kind man, Dr Teeves. But I can't stay here very long, [ hhaveno money.’ I smiled. ‘Joseph,’ I said. “This is your home now. Don’t you understand? You can stay here all your life.” Very carefully, Itold him about the letter to The Times, and the money. I don’t think he understood at first, so 1 told him again. He was very quiet for a minute. Then he stood up, and walked up and down the room very quickly. A strange sound came from him, like laughing, 20 A beautiful young woman cameto the hospital ‘and shook Merrick’s hand. aChapters AN IMPORTANT VISITOR 1 did not want Merrick to live by himself, like a man in a lighthouse. He read his books, and talked to me, but wanted him to talk to more people. And I wanted him totalk to women. ‘Merrick read about women in his books, but he did not often talk to women. He met the nurses every day, but they did not talk to him very much. For them, he was alwaysa creature, nota man. ‘One day, one of my friends, a beautiful young. ‘woman, came to the hospital [told her about Merrick, and took her to his room. She opened the door, and smiled achim. “Good morning, Mr Merrick,’ she said. Then she shook his hand, Merrick looked at her for a minuce with his mouth ‘open. Then he sat down om his bed, with his head in his hand, and cried. He cried for nearly five minutes. The tears ran down his face, between his fingers, and onto the floor. My friend sat on che bed beside him and put her hand on his arm, She said nothing, but she smiled at 2 An Important Visitor For the frst time in bis life, Merrick bad some friends. hhim and shook his hand again before she lef. “Dr Treves,’he said to me that night. ‘That lady was wonderful! My mother smiled at me once, many years ago, but no women smile at me now. But this lady smiled at me too, and she shook my hand! A beautiful lady smiled at me and shook my hand!” My young lady friend came again the next week, and talked ro Merrick for half an hour. The week after that, she came again with a friend. They gave him some books, and had a cup of tea with him. It was wonderful for him. For the fist time in his life, he had some friends. He was a very happy man. He satin his room, and read his books, and said no more about living on a lighthouse.“Joseph, this is Her Majesty Queen Alexandra, the Queen of England." People began to read about Merrick in the newspapers, 50 he had a lot of visitors. Everybody wanted to sce him, A lot of important ladies and gentlemen visited him. They smiled at him, shook his hand, and gave him books. Mertick liked talking to these people, and he began to forget about his ugly body. His visitors never laughed at him. He began to feellikea man, nota creature. ‘One wonderful day, a very important lady came to the hospital to visit him. I mee the lady, and took her to his room. Then I opened the door, and smiled at him. “Good morning, Joseph,” I said. “There is a new visitor to se you today. A very famous lady.’ mM Anlmportant Visitor “Mectick stood up beside his table. He did not smile, because his face could not smile, but his eyes looked happy. “That's good,’ he said. Who isit?” Imoved away from the door, and the visitor walked in, ‘Your Majesty, this is Joseph Merrick,’ 1 said. Joscph, this is Her Majesty, Queen Alexandra, the Queen of England.” Queen Alexandra smiled at him. ‘How do you do, ‘Mr Merrick,’ she said. ‘I'm very pleased to meet you.” “Then she shook his hand. Merrick did nor move. For nearly half a minute he stood and looked at her with his mouth open. Then he spoke, in his strange, slow voiee. “How ... how do you do, Your Majesty,’ he said. But I don’t think the Queen understood him, because he tried ro get down on his knees at the same time. It was very difficult for him, because of his enormous legs. “No, please, Mr Merrick, do get up,’ said the Queen, [would like to ralkto you. Can we sitar your table?” “Yes «.. yes, of course,’ he said. They sat at the table, She took his left hand, the good hand, in hers. he looked at the hand carefully, and then smiled at Merrick again. “Toften read abour you in the newspapers, she said. 2‘The Elephant Man An Important Visitor “You area very interesting man, Mr Merrick. You have a very difficult life, but people say you're happy. Is it true? Are you happy now?” “Oh, yes, Your Majesty, yes!” said Merrick. ‘I'm a very happy man! I have a home here now, and friends, and my books. I'm happy every hour of the day?” “What a wonderful story!’ she said. ‘I’m very pleased to hear it. Now, tell me about your reading, I see you havea lat of books here.” ‘Oh, yes, Your Majesty. I love my books,’ said ‘Merrick. And for nearly half an hour they sat and talked about books. The Queen gave hima little book, and some red flowers, before she left. ‘After her visit, Merrick began to sing. He could not sing easily, of course, because of his mouth, but all that day there was a strange, happy noise in his room. He looked at the flowers carefully, and put them on bistable. He had many visits from the Queen, and at Christmas she sent him a Christmas eard, Wide Cate 204 December 1888 Dear Ferh, lowe isa amall Chatoas pron for yo Tebinkece es Sibea, docickit? Tele like visiting gouceny much,and. Tam going, to cama tothe ‘hoopital again in the New Year Foappy Christmas! “Sour fiand. “The present was a picture of Queen Alexandra, with her name on it. Merrick cried over it, and put it carefully by the bed in his room. Then he sat down and ‘wrote a Jeter to the Queen. It was the frst letter of his life. n‘The Elephant Man The London Hospital 23rd December 1888 My dear Queen, ‘Thankyou very, very much for yourwonderful card, and the beautiful picture. itis the best thing in my room, the very best, the most beautiful thing | have. This is the first Christmas in my life, and my first Christmas present. PerhapsIhada Christmas with my mother once, but | do not remember it. | have my mother's picture too, and sheis beautiful ike you. But now | know many famous ladies and kind people like DrTreves, and lama very happy man. lam happy too because | am going to see you in the New Year. Happy Christmas to you, my dear friend. With all my love, Joseph Merrick 28 Chapter 6 OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL “Merrick had a lot of frends now, but he was more like a child than a man. He could read about things, and talk to his visitors, but he could not go out of he hospital by himself. He thought and played lke a child [After Christmas, he wanted to go to the theatre. This was very diffcule, because I did not want the people in the theatre to See him. But a kind lady from the theatre ~ Mrs Kendal — helped us. We bought tickets for a box at che side ofthe theatre. We went to the theatre in a cab with dark windows, and we went into the theatre by a door at the back ~ the Queen's door. Nobody saw us “Three nurses sat atthe front of the box, and Merrick and I sat in the dark behind them. Nobody in the theatre could see us, but we could see the play. Tt was children’s Christmas play. Merrick loved it. Ie was @ most wonderful, exciting story. Often he laughed, and sometimes he tried to sing like the children in the theatre. He was like a child. For him, everythinggin the story was true. ‘Once he was very afraid, because the bad man in the play was angry and had a knife. At frst Merrick »We bought ticket fora box at the side ofthe theatre. wanted to leave the theatre, but I stopped him. Then he was very angry with this bad man in the play. He hit his hand on his chair, and stood up and talked to the man. But nobody heard him. When the bad man went to prison, Merrick laughed. ‘Merrick thought the beautiful young lady in the play was wonderful. He wanted to talk to her too. At the end of the play he was very happy because she married a good young man He remembered this play for a long time, and he talked a lot about the people in it. Whar do you think they did after we left?” he asked me. ‘Where do the young lady and the young man live? What are they doingnow? 30 Outside the Hosp ‘T don’t know,’ I said. ‘Perhaps they live in the country. Merrick thought about this fora long time. Then he said; ‘Dr Treves, can I goto the country, please? I saw the country once from a train, but I never went there. often read about it in books. I's very beautiful sn’ it? would like to seeit.” The visit to the theatre was difficult but a visit to the country was more difficult. But again, one of his new friends helped us. She had a small house in the country, and Merrick could stay in for the summer, she sai. took Metrick to the country in a train with dark windows, so nobody could see him. Then we went in a cab co the country house. There were a lot of teees near the house, but no people lived near, A countryman brought food to the house every day, bueno people camenear it T stayed with him that night. At night, it was very ark and quiet. In the morning, hundreds of birds sang in the trees, and everything outside the house was green, Merrick walked under the big trees, looking at things happily, and singing his strange song. Tent back to London, but Merrick stayed there for six weeks. He was wonderfully happy. Every week, he wrote mea letter. 3The Elephant Man Apple Tree House, West Wickham, Berkshire, 2st July 1889 Dear Dr Treves, Thad a wonderful day again today. It was very warm, solwalked under the trees and sat byastream. No people lived near the house inthe country. 32 Outside the Hospital A lot of birds are my friends now, The water in the stream made a beautiful noise, like singing. Did you know that? | listened to it for two hours. Lots of little birds came near me. One had a red body in front, and a brown back. | gave itsome bread, and it sat on my hand. A lot of birds are my friends, now. 3‘The Elephant Man Iwatched the fish in the stream, too. They were very exciting, because they move very fast. Oneminute they were there, and the next minute | couldn't see them. But | waited quietly, and they always came back. | put my hand in the water, but! couldn't touch them, Imeta big dog yesterday. Itmade a very loud noise, but! was not afraid. Isat down quietly and looked att and it came and smelt my hand. | saw it again today, ‘and gave it some bread. It likes me now. am going to putsome flowers from the country in this letter. There are hundreds of flowershore. Did you know that? like the little blue ones best, but they are all beautiful. | have lots of them in my room. | give them water every morning, Little flowers are very thirsty, you know! am very happy here, doctor, but | want to see you again soon, too. With love from your friend, Joseph Merrick Atcheend of thesummerhecamebackto London. He was very well, and his skin looked much better. He talked about the country a lor, but he was happy to see his friends and his books again, too. Es Chapter7 THE LAST LETTER Six months later, in April 1890, I found him dead in bd. He was on his back in bed, 50 at first I thought he ‘was asleep. I talked to him, but he did not move, Then I saw that the skin on his face was blue, so I knew he was dead. He could only sleep with his arms around his legs, ‘and bis head om bis knees 35‘The Elephant Man He did not usually sleep on his back. His enormous head was very heavy, so he usually sat up in bed with his arms round his leg, and his head on his knees. He could sleep wel like tis. But he wanted to sleep on his back like you and me. He tried to sleep on his back that night, but his heavy head came off the bed, and he broke his neck. He died very quickly Next ay, the Chairman of the London Hospital, Mr Carr Gomm, wrote tothe editor of The Times again | found him dead in bed. 36 The Last Letter The Times, April 16th, 1890 Dear Sir, ‘Three and a half years ago | wrote to you about @ man called Joseph Merrick. This man was called the “Elephant Man’ because he was born with a very ugly body. Merrick was not ill, But he could not work, and he had no money. ‘The readers of The Times felt sorry for him, and they gave me a lot of money for Merrick. Because of this money, we could give Merrick a home in the London Hospital. It was his first good home, and for three and a half years he lived here happily. The doctors and nurses of the hospital helped him, and many important people visited him. He read many books, he went to the theatre, and in the summer he stayed in the country for six weeks, Because of your readers’ money, we could give him a happy life. Last night Joseph Merrick died quietly in his bed. He was a man with a very ugly body, but he was a ‘900d, kind man, and he had a lot of friends. We liked to talk to him, and we are all very sorry because he is dead. A lot of people are going to rememberhim fora long time. ‘There is some money left, solam going to give itto the hospital. Thank you, sir, for your help. Yours faithfully, F.C. Carr Gomm Chairman of the London Hospital 7GLOSSARY bath when you wantto washall our body,youstina bath full of water below wander beside nextto Bible themostimporeancbook for Christians box {ina theatre) a small room’; you can watch the stage from box, but other people car see you cab an old word for ‘taxi? cand a pice of paper with your name and address onit(a vistingcard)sora card with picture and» greeting onit (eg.aChristmas card) chairman an important man in the hospital loth trousers, coats, dresses, et. are made from cloth country (the) notche town creature living animal 4rop(v) toler something fall editor the mostimporane person ina newspaper office clephant a very biggey animal witha longnose and bigears enormous very big {aichfully (Yours faithfully) you write'Yours faithfully’ a the end ofa formal leer fingers you have five fingers on each hand. fish fish vein iversand in chesea food what youest gentleman aman from an important family flass(n) you drink tea fom cup; youdrink water from 2 lassGlossary heavy itis dificuleco carry heavy things ,000kilosis very heavy himself (by himself) nobody was with him hip theplace where your leg jains your hody Ihole anempry space or opening in something horrible novices people ate often afraid of horible things kind nice, good; kind person often elps people knee the middle of yourleg where itbends lady a woman rom an important family life yourlitestops when you die lighthouse a all buildingby orn thesea, with sronglights ‘helighe tells ships chat ehere are dangerous rocks like (prep) aoe differen: iverislke the se, because ice made of water loudly with alot of noise Majesty (Her/His/ Your) when you speak toa queen o you say ‘Your Majest" marry to ake somebody as your husband or wife mirror apiece of special las; you ean see your facein a mitror neck your neck is henween your head and your body newspaper you read a newspaper toknow whats hppeningin the world nose your noseisberween your eyesand your mouth place where somethingor someone's a ro0m,a house, town, ee) play fr} you gorothetheatretoseea play police the plice help people; hey also put bad people in prison present something that you gveto or get from somebody abirthday presen) prison 2 building or bad people they must stay there and ‘annotleave king, 0 Glossary (Qucem (the) the mostimportant woman in Britain sad orhappy scream () tomake loud high ery because you are afraid or angry shake hands (past tense shook) to hold somebody's hand and maveitupand down asa greeting shopkeeper aperson who asa small shop slide the part of something hat isnot the op, hotom font oF back skin_ you haveskinall over your body; people have different skin colours smell (past tense smelt) you see with your eyes ousmell with your nose step_aplace to put your foot when you goup or down stice(n) slong piece of wood; Mectck walks witha stick strange diferent stream small river tears water from your eyes when you ery theatre a building where you goto see plays touch e) to feel something with yourkand gly not beautiful voice you talk with your voiceACTIVITIES Before Reading 1 Read the story introduction on the first page of the book, and the back cover. How much do you know naw about the lephant Man? Tick one box foreach sentence, People laugh at him. Heis very old. His mother loves him. People pu him ina age likean animal. Children like him. A doctor wantsto study him. His nameis Joseph Merrick, oooooood Dooooo008 2 What is going to happen in the story? Can you guess? Tick ‘one box for each sentence. eee eta 1 ThedoctorhelpstheElephantMan. 1] OO 2 TheElephantMankillssomebody. OO O 3 TheElephant Man lives tobea very old man, ood 4 The Elephant Man finds home. oog 5 TheElephant Man finds a wife. elie 6 TheElephant Man makes somefriends. OO 7 SomebodykillstheElephantMan. OO O 4 ACTIVITIES While Reading Read Chapters 1 and2, and answer these questions. 1 What did Dr Treves se in the window ofthe shop? 2 Who did Dr Treves give twelve pence ro? 3. How did Dr Treves fel when he saw the Elephant Man? 4 Why couldn't he Elephant Man walk well? 5 How did Dr Treves and Merrick get to the hospital? 6 Whatdid Dr Treves give Mertick? Dr Treves wrote about Merrick in a litle book, Use these words 10 complete his sentences. (Use each word once.) ‘Then draw a picture of the Elephant Man. ag, big, enormous, fingers, hair, man’s, nose, skin, tooth 1 Hisheadis very____,anditlooks like an enormous with a lot of books init. 2 Thereisnot much___omhishead, andthe___on his faceeannot move. 3 Anenormousred___comes outofhis mouth, under his__. 4 Therightarmis___and height handislike a foot, butthe __ofthelet hand are long and beauiflacrivms: While Reading Read Chapters 3 and 4, Choose the best question-word for these questions, and then answer them, Why! Who! What dl the police bring Merrick to che hospital? did Mr Care Gomm write to The Times newspaper? did the readers of The Times do? su did Merrick have a picture of? ss dd the nurse do when she saw Merrick? «did Merrick wane to live in lighthouse? ‘When the police found Merrick (in Chapter 3), they asked hhim some questions. Complete their conversation. (Use as many words as you like.) orice: Now, Mr Merrick. Where do you live, sir? Mernucx: Pouice: Do youhave any money, sir? Mennicx: Povice: Why not? What happened to your money? Merrick: Pouce: You can’t stay in prison, Wheredo you want to g0, Mennicx: Potice: Why? Do you know somebody there? Manic: otic; Ah see, Allright, sic. Ler’s go and see him now. 46 Before you read Chapters 5, 6, and 7, think about Merrick’s life. Is ie going to be different now? Some ofthese things are going to happen. Can you guess which? He never goes out He visits lighthouse He reads lot. He goestoa theatre, “His mother visits him. Annurse wants to marry him, ‘The Queen visits him. He is very happy. ‘He makes new friends. He gets veryill. Read Chapter 5. Who said or wrote this, and to whom? “A beautiful lady smiled at me and shook my hand” 1 2 “There isa new visitor to see you today.” 3 ‘often read about you inthe newspapers.” 4 ‘Tmhappy every hour of theday!” 5 ‘Ido like visting you very much.” e "Iris the best thing in my room, the very best.” [Read Chapters 6 and 7. Here are some untrue sentences about them, Change them into true sentences. 1 Merrick often went outof the hospital by himself, 2. Merrick thought and played like a man, 3. Merrick was very pleased with the bad man in the play. 4 Merrick did not like staying in the country. 5 Merrick usually slept on his back. 6 Nobody was sorry when the Elephant Man died, 7ACTIVITIES After Reading 1 Can you find the eleven words from the story hidden in chis ‘word search? Words go from left co right, and from top to bottom. NIV[F[1[s[H]k |w[D|P ulF{t [o[pfolc|rojr| RG|H|p/t[s |p |KiG{L s|p|cly|p|Plelujr|F E|vjolylF[i|NiclelR s/qlu|H[K[tle[z[R[t s|z[n|w[r[alcly[P ie [wiv [7 [ole[t |M[r|F [IN piifR [p[s[H[M[k[y [D [glely [a lelule le [N[s| Now use ten of the words from the word search to ‘complete this passage. Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man, lived inthe London. ‘___- He was very _man but most of the __ liked him, Alexandra was one of his_. One summer he stayed in house in the__. Hesaw ina stream, and talked to___anda_. ‘He was very happy there,’ _Treves said. 48 scmrmes: After Reading 2 Here is a conversation between Dr Treves and the new nurse (sce pages 17 and 18). The conversation is in the ‘wrong order. Writeit outin the correct order and putin the speakers’ names. The nurse speaks fist (number 2) 1 ___ "Yes, I started work this morning.” 2 __ ‘Dr Treves, Dr Treves! Help! “dropped his food on the floor and ran out.1 was afraid. Is he very ll? 4 ‘Ob, doctor, there's horrible creature in Me “Mertick’s zoom!” 5 __"What’s the matter, nurse? Why are you screaming? 6 __ ‘Allright, doctor. Thank you.” 7 __ “That's Mr Merrick, nurse! He looks ike that. ‘Whar did you do in the room? “Iv gotan enormous head with an elephant’s ‘tooth ines mouth, and a big horrible arm! ‘No, Mr Merrick isn’till,but he’s very ugly Now sit down and listen ro me, nurse, Isthis your first day here?" 10 ___ ‘Whar does this horrible creature look like? un ‘Well, don't be afraid of Mr Merrick. Heisn’ horrible. He’sa nice, kind man, Now go back in that room, and talkto him. Allright?”Activrss: After Reading Heres a new illustration forthe story. Find the best place inthe story to put the picture, and answer these questions. ‘The picture goes on page__. 1 Whereisthe Elephant Man goingii this piture? 2 Where was he before this? 3 What happened to him when he arrived? [Now write a caption for the illustration. Caption: ____ so Activimus: After Reading 4 Here is a newspaper story about the Elephant Man. Use the linking words below to complete the story. (Use some of the swords more than once.) but and { because so when Lastnight Joseph Merrick, the famous ‘Elephant Man’, died, Merrick did not have an easy life. His mother gave hhimtoa man called Sileock, ___ Silcock rook him from Sileock left him in Belgium, Merrick came back to England, He was nol, ‘own to rown, to make money. he could not work, __the London Hospital gave hima home. There, people were kind to him forthe frst timein his life, __hehad many friends, “He had a very ugly body,” said his friend Dr Treves, <___weall liked him___he was a good, kind man.” 5 The Elephant Manis a true story. Which of these sentences do you agree (A) or disagree (D) with? Can you say why? 1 Ieisavery sad story. 2 Iisa sad story, but happy onetoo. 3 Joseph Mertick's mother was a bad woman, because she sgaveher son coSilcock. 4 Very ualy people, like Joseph Merrick, can never have a happy life. 5 Doctors and hospitals can do wonderfl things now, 50 people like Joseph Merrick don't have unhappy lives. stABOUT THE AUTHOR ‘Tim Vicary is an experienced teacher and writer, and has written several staries for the Oxford Bookworms Library. Many ofthese are in the Thailler &¢ Adventure series, such as White Death (at Seage 1) oF, like The Elephant Many in the ‘True Stories series, such as The Coldest Place on Earth (also at Stage 1), which tells the story of the race between Scott and ‘Amundsen to the South Pole, He bas also published rwo long novels, The Blood upon the Roseand Cat and Mouse. “Tim Vieary has two children, and keeps dogs, cats, and horses, He lives aud works in York, inthe north of England 2 OXFORD BOOKWORMS LIBRARY Clases Crime Mystery Fates Fantasy Horor “Human ater «Plaecrigts- Tile > Adventure “Tue Stoves World Sores ‘The oxono nooxwonus iar provi enjoyable eadingin Engh, with {wide ge of cle ed modern exon norco, nd play. inches ‘vigil and adapted texts insven carly grade language saps, which take lames fom tenner to advanced lee. An oeriw gen on the All Stage ides are avaiable a audio recondings a8 wel a ver ihty other som State to Sage 6. All Serer and many tes at Sages 1 {04 are specly recommended for younger lames. Every Bookworm i israted and Starters and Faces hae fllcoloe neato. “The oxronnsooxwonns LRAny alo offers exensie support Each book contains a troduction to she story, nates abou the ahora glossary, and actives, Additonal esourcesincode tests and worksheets and newer for these and for the activites in he books, Thetis ace on runing = clas ibrary, wing audio recording, and the many ways oF ‘ing Onfrd Bookworms in eaing programmes. Resource materials ae salable onthe website The Oxford Bookworms Collection is mie for advanal ener. I 3