Bride Comes to Yellow Sky

The Bride Comes to a Yellow Sky (1898) is a short story by Stephen Crane.

Before Listening

Look at the picture above. We can see Marshall Jack Potter arriving in the town of Yellow Sky with his new bride.

  1. When do you think this story takes place  a) 1798  b) 1898  c) 1908 d) 1988
  2. How have the couple travelled to Yellow Sky?
  3. Describe what you can see of Yellow Sky.

There is a bar near the railway station called The Weary Gentlemen. 

Listen to what happens just before the bride comes to Yellow Sky.

https://soundcloud.com/kieran-mcgovern-esl-reading/the-weary-gentlemen?in=kieran-mcgovern-esl-reading/sets/classic-american-stories&si=7bd0da29227e49d1b2443adcdebe935c&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
English language level: Intermediate

Listening Quick Check: True or False?

1. The Weary Gentlemen saloon is in San Antonio.

2. There are Texans and Mexicans in the bar.

3. The drummer tells stories.

4. The barkeeper tells the drummer to leave.

5. The drinkers wait in the dark

You can download the full adapted and/original story here:

The Long Black Veil – listening with activites

More classic stories for English language learners here.