The document is a 10 chapter story about Frederick and Isabella. In chapter one, Frederick loses everything gambling and returns penniless to his village. He enters the village bar hoping Isabella will forgive him. In chapter two, the villagers are shocked to see Frederick after thinking he was dead or in trouble with police. Frederick sees Isabella working at the bar. The story continues with Frederick trying to win Isabella back after leaving her, hitting difficulties but also having successes in business before asking for her forgiveness in the final chapters.

1. FREDERICK AND ISABELLA: AN IDIOMATIC LOVE STORY
Teaching Idioms
Effectively
with Web 2.0 Tools
by Janet Bianchini
2011
JANET’S ABRUZZO EDUBLOG

2. Chapter One -Taking The Bull by the Horns
Walking along the deserted road in the gloomy fog, the lonely figure made its way wearily
towards the village in the distance. He hadn't eaten or drunk for days and he was feeling
undernourished and parched. What would he find up ahead? His thoughts lingered as he
trudged slowly towards the looming houses.
Having lost everything he owed on the horses a few days before, he knew he would have to
start from square one again. He was in the red, he knew it. He had blown everything
on one last crazy gamble on a horse race. He knew people would say he had lost his
marbles, but he didn't give two hoots about them.
He came within sight of the main square of the tiny village. It was time to take the bull by
the horns.....
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3. Can you match the meanings below with the idioms highlighted in the story above?
Chapter Two - The Return of the Lost Soul
As he approached the bar in the tiny Abruzzo village, he paused for a moment and savoured
the smells of cooking wafting across the terracotta rooftops. He was so hungry he could eat
a horse, or a chicken or two.
Coming towards him was the most stunningly beautiful cat he had ever set eyes upon. The
cat's eyes bored into him and made him feel uncomfortable. He looked away, full of remorse.
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4. Bar Del Principe was within a stone’s throw away.
He was absolutely penniless, without a bean to his name, but he was hoping the
barman's daughter would take pity on him and forgive him, if he gave her one of his
devastatingly charming smiles.
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5. He opened the door of the bar and walked in, slowly. The few customers drinking their
glasses of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wine, stopped and stared, mouths wide open in utter
amazement. It was as if they had seen a ghost. "Non e possibile!! Frederick!! Ma... che fai
qui???? We thought you had been kidnapped, and then you had got involved with some bad
types. You were wanted dead or alive by the police and.... .....", their voices trailed off in
disbelief.
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6. Frederick sought the eyes of the ravishingly beautiful Isabella behind the bar. She had just
made a fresh Tiramisu and Kaki jam, and was busily arranging the food on the counter.
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7. Chapter Three - A narrow Escape
Chapter Four - Broken-Hearted! I felt lost without you,
Isabella. I thought
about you night and
day.
I realised that my heart
belonged to you forever. I
was broke, down in the
dumps and broken
hearted. Then out of the
blue, I hit the jackpot.
Suddenly I had an
amazing brainwave.
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8. Chapter 5 - In The Money!
I set up a casino and I made shedloads of money. I put my shoulder to the wheel
and amassed a great fortune.
I’m in the
money!!!
www.dvolver.com
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9. Chapter Six - In a Jam
Chapter Seven- Descent Into the Abyss
As I was falling rapidly down into the abyss, all I had on my mind was you, my love.
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10. Chapter Eight
Then suddenly I woke up. I realised it had all been a terrible dream, a nightmare in fact. I
knew I had to go back to the village to woo you back.
So, my beloved Isabella. Do you still love me?? Do you still want me? Do you still need
me??
Will you forgive me? Will you take pity on me? Will you find it in your heart of hearts to
forget my terrible betrayal??
Or
Will you give me the cold shoulder? Will you break my heart???
Chapter Nine - A Bad Ending?
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11. Chapter Ten – A Good Ending?
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