A Deal In Ostriches by H. G. Wells: a short, funny story to practice English
If you want an English text you can finish in one sitting, this one is a great pick. It is quick, a little silly, and still smart—perfect for learners who want real English without a huge time commitment. You can read it on your phone and build a small daily reading habit with the Linguapress app.
About the Book
Title: A Deal in Ostriches
Author: H. G. Wells
Genre: Humor (short satirical fiction)
Year of Publication: 1894
Pages: A short story (often about 10–15 pages in many print/ebook collections; page count can change by edition and formatting)
Summary: What the Book Is About
This story starts like a normal conversation and turns into a surprising business mess. A man hears about expensive ostriches and thinks he has found a simple way to make money fast. He makes a “deal” that sounds smart at first, but he does not understand the real risks. Very soon, he is stuck with a problem he cannot easily sell, move, or explain. The story is funny because the main character is confident, but the situation keeps getting worse in small, realistic steps.
“I’ve seen an ostrich that cost three hundred pounds.”
English Level
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CEFR: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
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Learners preparing for: IELTS 5.5–6.0 or TOEFL iBT 72–85
Why B2? The story is short, but it uses older-style writing and formal sentence structure. The good news: it is still clear, and the plot is easy to follow.
Why this book is helpful for English learners
This is not a textbook. It is a real story with real flow, which is exactly why it helps.
Skills you will train
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Reading: following a narrative, tracking cause → effect
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Vocabulary: money, deals, value, risk, travel, persuasion
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Idioms & tone: irony, exaggeration, polite disagreement
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Grammar in context: past tenses, reported speech, and long sentences that still “make sense”
Estimated unique vocabulary
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Around 900–1,200 unique words (estimate).
This number depends on the version (spelling, hyphenation, and formatting).
A simple way to study it (3-step method)
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First read (fast): read for the story only. Don’t stop much.
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Second read (slow): underline repeated words and business terms.
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Third pass (active): retell the plot in 6–8 sentences out loud.
Mini study plan (easy, realistic)
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Day 1: read once, highlight 10 words
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Day 2: re-read, write 5 example sentences
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Day 3: retell the story + record your voice (30–60 seconds)
What to focus on while reading
| Focus area | What to look for | Quick practice |
|---|---|---|
| Business vocabulary | deal, price, value, cost, profit, loss | Make a “money words” list of 12 items |
| Reported speech | “he said that…”, “I told him…” | Rewrite 5 lines as reported speech |
| Humor & tone | polite words + ridiculous situation | Mark 3 moments that feel ironic |
| Sentence structure | long sentences with commas | Break 3 long sentences into 2–3 short ones |
Tip: If you read on the Linguapress app, try saving new words into one list called “Deals & Mistakes” so you review them together.
User Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Short, funny, and easy to finish. I learned new words about money and ‘deals’ without feeling bored.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Some sentences feel old-fashioned, but the story is clear. I liked re-reading it and noticing the humor.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Perfect for a quick reading habit. I used it to practice speaking by retelling the plot.”
Average Rating: 4.5 / 5
Did You Know?
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The story first appeared in a British magazine in December 1894, before it was reprinted in later collections.
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H. G. Wells is famous for science fiction, but he also wrote many satirical short stories about everyday life, money, and social behavior.
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The humor works because the “mistake” feels realistic: the main character acts like many people do when they hear about a “hot opportunity.”
Similar Books You Might Enjoy
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“The Diamond as Big as the Ritz” — F. Scott Fitzgerald (wealth, ambition, and sharp irony)
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“The Open Window” — Saki (H. H. Munro) (short, witty twist; great for reading practice)
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“The Devil and Daniel Webster” — Stephen Vincent Benét (a deal with consequences; strong storytelling)
❓ FAQ
Is this story good for beginners (A1–A2)?
It is usually too hard for A1–A2 because of sentence length and older vocabulary. If you are a beginner, start with adapted short stories first, then come back later.
How long does it take to read?
Many learners finish it in 20–40 minutes, depending on reading speed. With study steps (notes + re-read), you can turn it into a 3-day micro project.
What is the best way to learn vocabulary from a short story?
Choose 10–15 words only, and review them in context. Write your own simple sentences, then use the words again when you retell the plot.
Does the Linguapress app help with repeating new words?
Yes—use one list for the story, keep it small, and review it several times across a week. Small lists are easier to remember and faster to repeat.
Should I read it out loud?
If your goal includes speaking, yes. Read one paragraph out loud, then retell the same paragraph in your own words. This builds fluency faster than silent reading alone.
