🕰️ The Time Machine – Chapter VIII: Fire and Fear (Adapted for B2 Readers)

“Weena and I walked into the forest together,” the Time Traveller continued. “It was almost dark, and I carried a torch made from dry sticks. I also had the iron bar with me.”

“We planned to find a safe place to rest and then explore the tunnels when the Morlocks came out. But soon, we got lost in the thick trees. The forest was huge, and everything looked the same.”

“We found a small clearing and stopped there for the night. I made a fire, and Weena sat close beside me. She was frightened. I tried to stay awake, but I was tired. Eventually, I fell asleep.”

“I woke up to strange noises. The fire had almost gone out. I saw shadows moving—Morlocks. They had come for us.”

“I jumped up, threw more sticks into the fire, and swung my bar at the nearest figure. The Morlocks screamed and ran back into the dark. But I knew they would return.”

“So I did something desperate. I set fire to the forest around us.”

“The dry trees burned quickly. Flames rose high into the air. The forest became a sea of light and smoke. The Morlocks screamed and ran. I could hear them everywhere.”

“Weena and I ran through the burning forest. She was tired, and I had to carry her. The smoke made it hard to breathe. I was coughing and couldn’t see.”

“Then I tripped. I fell hard. When I looked around, Weena was gone.”

“I called her name, but there was no answer. The fire grew louder. I searched, but I couldn’t find her.”

“When morning came, I was alone. I had escaped the Morlocks—but I had lost Weena.”

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📖 Glossary

Word/Phrase	Meaning
Clearing	An open space in a forest
Torch	A stick used to give light (often with fire)
Frightened	Afraid or scared
Desperate	Feeling there is no other option
Flames	The visible part of fire
Coughing	A sudden noise from the throat, often from smoke
Tripped	Fell by hitting your foot on something

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. What was the Time Traveller carrying as he entered the forest?

2. Why did Weena and the Time Traveller stop in a clearing?

3. What happened while the Time Traveller was sleeping?

4. How did he try to protect them from the Morlocks?

5. What happened to the forest?

6. Why did the Time Traveller lose Weena?

7. What happened when morning came?

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✅ Answers

1. A torch and an iron bar.

2. They needed a place to rest for the night.

3. The Morlocks came near as the fire went out.

4. He restarted the fire and then set the forest on fire.

5. It caught fire quickly, creating light, smoke, and panic.

6. He tripped while carrying her, and she disappeared in the chaos.

7. He was alone—Weena was gone.