Lesson 29: A Long Time Ago

Anna: Hello! In Washington, D.C., there are many places that bring history to life. But people who live here often do not have time to see them. They are too busy with work -- like me. Hi, Marsha!

Marsha: Hi, Anna! Have a seat.

Anna: Thanks. This was a good idea. Working outdoors is nice.

Marsha: Um-hum, it is.

Anna: I am tired. Today was a busy day at work. And I still have work to do!

Marsha: Hmm, that’s too bad.

Anna: How are you these days?

Marsha: I'm really busy too, Anna. Let’s get to work.

Anna: Marsha, look! That bus has a photo of Abraham Lincoln!

Marsha: That’s an advertisement for Ford’s Theatre. They have a new show.

Anna: They have shows where Abraham Lincoln died?

Marsha: Yeah, it’s a working theater and a museum.

Anna: I love Lincoln. You know, Marsha, that advertisement reminds me of something.

Marsha: Um-hum. What’s that?

Anna: When I was a little girl … When I was a little girl … I was not like other children.

Marsha: Um-hum, I can believe that.

Anna's voice: I was a tall, serious child. At the playground the other children played silly games. They played with dart guns. They played on the swings, the slide and the teeter-totter. They also played ball But not me. I loved to read serious books about U.S. presidents.

Anna: In fact, I wanted to be … don’t laugh … President of the United States.

Marsha: (laughs)

Anna: Stop! I know it’s a silly childhood dream.

Marsha: I’m sorry. It’s not silly. Guess what I wanted to be?

Anna: What?

Marsha: I wanted to be... an astronaut.

Anna: Really?

Marsha's Voice: When I was a kid, I studied the stars and planets. I wanted to fly into outer space!

Anna: You know, Marsha, childhood dreams are really important.

Marsha: They are. And it’s good to remember them.

Anna: Hey! I have an idea. Let’s go.

Marsha: Go where?

Anna: Let’s go make our childhood dreams come true.

Marsha: We’re going to the Air & Space Museum! Yes!

Anna: No. We’re going to see a show at Ford’s Theatre just like Abraham Lincoln did when he died! It’s not far from here.

Marsha: Uh huh. That is your childhood dream.

Anna: Good point. Okay, next week, we'll come here and be astronauts.

Marsha: Honestly?

Anna: Honestly.

Anna: Tonight we are seeing a show at Ford’s Theatre, where a man shot President Abraham Lincoln. This is history come to life … and a childhood dream come true! Until next time ...