The old Baron Alistair was a man of contrasts. On this particular evening, he stood at the top of the grand staircase, his head completely bald, while he bawled at the footman for a small smudge on the mirror. His estate overlooked a stunning series of seaside bays, yet the land itself was so barren he couldn’t even grow a vegetable garden. Inside, the long dining table was covered with green baize, but the hall was almost bare of people, as few had accepted his invitation to what he called the annual Summer Ball.

He had decided to host the event despite having a notoriously difficult time with entertainment. The famous orchestral band from London had been banned from the premises years ago after a noisy incident, and since then, no musician of note would come near the place. The Baron would have to bear the shame of his simple gramophone for the evening’s music. He let out a long sigh as the first guests began to arrive.

Suddenly, a dog’s sharp bark echoed from the harbour below, where the Baron’s last remaining sailing barque was anchored. A renowned travelling bard named Oran had heard of the Baron’s social trouble and hoped to earn a quick coin by offering his services. But the gatekeeper, who was still annoyed by the Baron’s earlier complaints, had barred his entry. Oran was a skilled lute player, and the deep bass notes of his instrument would have been a great improvement over the gramophone’s scratchy tunes. The Baron, however, was in no mood to deal with a new problem.

The Baron eventually descended to the crumbling base of the staircase and began to welcome his few guests. With a flourish, he put out some smoked salmon as bait to get them to stay longer, his heart pounding with bated breath for their approval. But the silence in the room was heavy. The footman, still recovering from the Baron’s earlier outburst, accidentally dropped a serving tray. In a flash of fury, the Baron turned to the boy, ready to bawl him out again. But instead of rage, he felt only weariness. He looked around the vast, empty hall, at the grand but useless sailing ship in the bay, and the lonely gramophone. This was not a legacy. This was a lonely, pathetic display.

He smiled sadly and walked over to the footman. “It’s alright, son,” he said quietly, placing a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “No harm done. I think… I think the ball is over.” The guests looked on in silent confusion as the Baron simply took off his formal coat and walked away, leaving the flickering candles to light the quiet room.

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Vocabulary Notes

Barren
This word is an adjective used to describe land that is unable to produce crops or vegetation. It can also describe a place that is empty or dull, lacking life or interest.
From the story: “…yet the land itself was so barren he couldn’t even grow a vegetable garden.”
Similar words: Infertile, unproductive, desolate, stark.
Example sentence: After a long drought, the once-green field was left completely barren.

Bated
This word is typically used in the phrase “with bated breath,” which means holding your breath in anticipation or anxiety. It comes from the verb “to bate,” meaning to lessen or reduce.
From the story: “…his heart pounding with bated breath for their approval.”
Similar words: Suspended, checked, held.
Example sentence: The children watched with bated breath as the magician prepared his final trick.

Barque
This is a noun that refers to a type of sailing vessel with at least three masts.
From the story: “…where the Baron’s last remaining sailing barque was anchored.”
Similar words: Ship, sailing boat, vessel.
Example sentence: A historic barque was brought into the port for restoration.

Bard
This is a noun for a poet or minstrel, often one who sings heroic tales. In a modern context, it can refer to any poet.
From the story: “A renowned travelling bard named Oran had heard of the Baron’s social trouble…”
Similar words: Poet, storyteller, minstrel, troubadour.
Example sentence: Shakespeare is often referred to as “the Bard of Avon.”

Baize
This is a noun for a coarse, felt-like woollen fabric, typically green, used for covering billiard tables or card tables.
From the story: “…the long dining table was covered with green baize…”
Similar words: Felt, cloth, covering.
Example sentence: The card game was played on a small table covered in baize.

Story written by Gemini Pro AI.

Image created by imin.ai.

CC Music: Drifting at 432 Hz – Unicorn Heads.

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