by Alan TownendBelow you can see a story I've written using some highlighted
examples of how you can express the future.
«Jealousy»
I want you to imagine that you are about to visit a small village. It
doesn't matter which country it's in because all villages are the same
whichever part of the world they are in. There were only about 300
inhabitants in total in this particular village and everyone knew
everybody's business. A typical street conversation would run like
this: «I hear Joan's going to have a baby next year. I expect it'll be a
boy this time I wouldn't be surprised. She's having a nurse come
next week to help her with her 5 girls and maybe a boy will make life
easier for her!» In this village people usually help each other
whenever they can. If someone is going to the «big» town — that is
where there are more than a thousand people living in it — invariably
they will say to their neighbours: «I'll get you some vegetables, if
you like». But it's not all sweetness and light here because there is a
longstanding feud going on between two families. I'll let the local
gossip, Mary tell you the background. «It must be ten years ago
when it all started. I doubt it'll ever stop», she laughed when she
said that. «But then I've been told I am to tell you the beginning of it
all and also you are to listen, remember. There are two women who
are always arguing about something. One of them lives in that huge
house over there. Don't look now because she'll open her front door
in a minute. She's going to catch the 9.15 bus that goes in ten
minutes from that stop there. Now, she's a fine lady, she is. She's
due to become a councillor next month after the elections and she'll
probably make a good job of it. Now hold on a second the other lady
is leaving her house in a minute. Yes, what did I say? She's going to
catch the bus too but she'll get on at the next stop to avoid meeting
the councillor lady. Now the second lady runs a small restaurant, as
a matter of fact I'm taking lunch there later today.» I asked Mary
why these two women didn't get on. She looked me straight in the
eye and said: «Jealousy. One runs a successful restaurant and the
councillor lady runs a small guesthouse. Both of them are going to
make a lot of money this year because of the festival but the
guesthouse lady will make more and she always has done and that's
the cause of the trouble.»
Now what I haven't told you», continued Mary, «and I'm just about
to reveal it, is that there are two other people in the story. Namely
the son of one of the ladies and the daughter of the other. And yes,
they are getting married next year and the whole village will be
invited. It's going to be a big affair» I interrupted Mary at this point
and asked her what had happened to the feud. «Oh that doesn't
matter much now» continued Mary «they'll be too busy making
arrangements for the wedding. They're due to meet a catering firm
this morning». «So what's all this about separate bus stops?» I
asked. «Oh, that's just for the tourists who are coming here next
month.» I tried to understand but had one more question: «And
what about jealousy?» — «Now, you're not to worry about her. There
are plenty of villages round here and she'll soon find another one to
visit and cause trouble in» I thanked Mary and walked away, totally
confused thinking to myself; «I shall never understand village life.»