The Last Lesson - Simplified English

The Last Lesson - Easy Version

Part 1: Going to School

Franz was a young French boy. He was a student. That morning, he was very late for school. He was afraid because his teacher, M. Hamel, was going to ask questions about French grammar. Franz did not know the answers. He thought about not going to school and spending the day outside instead.

The weather was warm and bright. Birds were singing. Franz saw Prussian soldiers doing their drill practice. He stopped to watch them. But then he decided to go to school. He was already very late.

Part 2: Something Different at School

When Franz reached the school, everything was quiet. Usually, there was a lot of noise. Students would be shouting and the teacher's ruler would be hitting the desk. But today, it was as quiet as a Sunday morning. Franz was surprised and a little afraid.

He opened the door and went inside. M. Hamel was sitting in his chair. But he was not wearing his usual clothes. Today, he was wearing his best green coat. This was the coat he wore only on special days - like when important visitors came or when there was a prize day.

Franz also saw something else strange. The old people of the village were sitting on the back benches. These people usually never came to school. Franz's father was also sitting there. Everyone looked sad.

Part 3: The Big News

M. Hamel spoke in a kind and gentle voice. He said, "Franz, sit down quickly. We are going to start without you. This is your last French lesson."

Franz was shocked. "My last French lesson? What did that mean?" Then M. Hamel explained. He said that an order had come from Berlin. The order said that only German would be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. A new German teacher would come tomorrow. This was the last day for French lessons.

Franz felt very sad. He suddenly understood that he would never learn his own language again. He felt sorry for not studying his lessons. He felt sorry for missing school and looking for bird's eggs. Now, his books, which he thought were so boring, seemed like old friends. And M. Hamel, who seemed strict, now seemed very dear to him.

Part 4: Understanding What Was Lost

M. Hamel told them about the French language. He said French was the most beautiful language in the world. It was the clearest and most logical language. He said, "When a people become slaves, as long as they keep their language, they keep the key to their prison. They can be free again."

That day, M. Hamel taught grammar. He explained everything very clearly and patiently. Franz understood everything. It had never been so easy before. Franz thought, "Was it so easy all this time? Why didn't I learn it before?"

The old people were also paying attention. Old Hauser brought his old grammar book. The pages were damaged and had marks on them. He was trying to learn too. Everyone was sad. Everyone understood that they were losing something very important.

Part 5: The Last Lesson Ends

M. Hamel talked about the French language. He talked about French grammar and French literature. He taught them with all his heart. It was like he wanted to give them all his knowledge in this one last lesson.

After grammar, they had a writing lesson. M. Hamel had prepared new copies for them. The copies had words written in beautiful handwriting: "France, Alsace, France, Alsace." The words looked like small French flags on the paper.

Everyone was working very hard. Even the youngest students were working quietly. You could only hear the sound of pens writing on paper. Sometimes, beetles flew into the room. But Franz did not get distracted. Everyone was focused on their work.

M. Hamel sat in his chair. He looked at everything in the room - the benches, the desks, the walnut trees outside, everything. He had been teaching in this school for forty years. Now he was leaving.

Part 6: Goodbye

The church clock struck twelve. Then the Angelus bell rang. At the same time, the Prussian soldiers were returning from their drill practice. Their trumpets sounded under the school windows.

M. Hamel stood up. He was very pale (white in the face). He looked very sad. He tried to speak but he could not. His voice would not come.

He turned to the blackboard. He took a piece of chalk. He wrote in big letters: "VIVE LA FRANCE!" (This means "Long Live France!")

Then he stayed there. His head was against the wall. He did not speak. He only made a gesture with his hand. He said, "School is over. You may go."