Leftie had always loved wild London with its troubled big trees. 

He was a brutal tea drinker with fragile left hand and tall right hand. But his friends said from time to time that he had two left hands because he was very clumsy. That’s the sort of man he was.

Leftie walked over to the window and looked at reflected on his urban surroundings. The wind blew like shouting foxes.

Then he saw something in the distance, or rather someone. It was the figure of Rightie. Rightie was a brutal coffee drinker with short left hand and pretty right hand. They were good friends until Rightie gave Leftie a left hand a few years ago when Leftie really needed help. Also Rightie was caught with his hand in the cookie jar while stealing favourite Lefties’ tea and because of him Lefties’ secret recipe of brownie fall into the wrong hands. All his misdeeds cannot be counted on one hand. 

Leftie gulped. He was not prepared for Rightie.

Rightie came closer, Leftie could see the smoggy glint in his eye.

Rightie said, in hushed tones, “I hate you and I want revenge.”

Leftie looked back knowing him like the back of one’s hand “Rightie, hands up or I’ll shoot,” he replied without hesitation.

They looked at each other with puzzled feelings.

Leftie studied Rightie’s short left hand and pretty right hand. Eventually, he took a deep breath and realised that he should let his left hand know what his right one is doing. “I’m sorry,” began Leftie in apologetic tones, « but I will never forgive you, Rightie”. They were playing into their hands. 

Rightie looked calm and Leftie thought he was going to pay a left-handed compliment like he did it often before. But Leftie could actually hear Rightie’s emotions shatter into hundreds pieces. They looked at each other and went their separate ways, knowing that one day they would meet again.

And tonight not even a cup of tea would calm Leftie’s nerves.

THE END

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IDIOMS

1. to pay a left-handed compliment

Example:

She paid him a left-handed compliment, saying is cooking was “interesting” but clearly implying it was tasteless.

2. two left hands

Example:

 I tried to fix the broken computer, but I just made it worse. It’s like I have two left hands when it comes to technology.

3. to be caught with (one’s) hand in the cookie jar

Example:

The thief was caught with his hand in the cookie jar when the security cameras recorded him stealing from the office snack stash.

4. to fall into the wrong hands

Example:

The confidential information fell into the wrong hands after the careless employee left it unattended on public transportation.

5. to let one’s left hand know what one’s right hand is doing

Example:

When working on a collaborative project, it’s essential to have regular meetings and updates to ensure that everyone’s left hand knows what their right hand is doing.

6. to play into someone’s hands

Example:

The overconfident players played right into their opponent’s hands

7. to know like the back of one’s hand

Example:

Don’t worry, I know this place like the back of my hand.

Quetions:

1. Was Leftie clumsy or not?
2. How did the wind blow?
3. Why did Leftie’s friends say that he had two left hands?
4. What did Leftie and Rightie drink?
5. What is Leftie’s attitude towards London and his surroundings?
6. How did Lefty react to Righty’s phrase that he hates him and wants revenge?
7.  How did the story end?