(1) Read the story. (2) Tell the story in your own words. (3) Ask the questions.
| Silent Husband | |
 |
Vocabulary
mute = unable to speak unravel = to explain something that is difficult to understand; to separate something that is twisted together distress = great mental pain |
| An 84-year-old man from Waterbury, Connecticut is facing divorce after his wife discovered he had faked being deaf and mute for over 62 years. Barry Dawson never spoke a word in front of his wife, Dorothy, now 80, who even learned sign language to try to communicate with him.
“It took me two years to learn sign language. As soon as I got good at it, he began having vision problems. He probably faked that too,” Dorothy said. The couple raised six children, all believing their father was deaf. The truth unraveled when Dorothy saw a YouTube video of Barry singing at a karaoke bar. His lawyer claims Barry’s silence kept the peace, saying, “If he hadn’t faked it, they would’ve divorced 60 years ago.” Dorothy is now seeking financial compensation for emotional distress. |
|
| Comprehension Questions |
|
| Discussion Questions |
|
You must be logged in to post a comment.