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Dino Mahoney

Romance is in the air in tonight's Songbirds drama episode, V-Card Romance.

Nicky has received a Valentine card and is swept off her feet by it. The mystery writer has asked for a date that night in Kowloon Park by the waterfall. But that evening when she waits for her mystery boy by the waterfall she bumps into her classmate Ben.

Nicky think that Ben is boring and she is afraid  that he might spoil her mystery date, so she tries to get rid of him. But Nicky does not know that it was Ben who sent her the card (although the romantic words in the card were written by Ben's friend Prakash).

To find out what happens to Nicky's date tune in to RTHK Radio 4 (FM 97.6) at 9:30 p.m. tonight.

Below is part of tonight's Songbirds drama episode for you to read either before or while listening to the radio broadcast.

Nicky: I don't believe it!

Tina: You've got a Valentine card! Quick . . . open it!

Nicky: What a beautiful card!

Tina: It's so classy! Who could have sent it?

Nicky: Look how much is written inside!

Tina: Quick read it . . .  What does it say?

Nicky: 'Dear Nicky . . .  just writing your name makes my hand tremble.'

Tina: What? Let me see! I don't believe it!

Nicky: 'I want to be near you but alone . . . away from the crowds and the noise of the classroom

. . . a place where we can be quiet and soft and close, a place where I can tell you what is in my heart, a place where I can ask you with my yearning lips to be my own sweet, special Valentine.

Tina: Wow! Nicky. I am so jealous

Nicky: There's more! 'If this card touches your heart then meet me by the waterfall in Kowloon Park at eight o'clock tonight.'

Tina: Nicky! You have to go!

Nicky: Tina, look at my hand . . .  it's shaking.

Tina: The same as his was when he wrote to you

. . . But who is he? I can't think of anyone in our class who could have written something as beautiful as that.

Nicky: Tina have I gone red?

Tina: You do look a bit flushed.

Nicky: I never ever dreamed I would ever, ever get such a beautiful card with such beautiful, romantic words in it. Look . . . on the back of the card it says it's called 'The Kiss.'

Tina: I know it's beautiful . . . I saw it in the card shop and I remember thinking how much I liked it. Whoever wrote that Valentine card is special Nicky, but who could have written it?

Nicky: No idea!

Tina: I can't imagine any of the boys in our class being able to choose a card like this and write words like these.

Nicky: I know.

Tina: Let's think . . . Johnson? No, he doesn't speak or write he just . . .  is . . .  Who else? Gary? No he couldn't . . .  Vincent? No. Ben? Definitely not. Terry? No way. I give up . . . there isn't anyone. We'll just have to wait until tonight. I'm dying to know who it is!

Nicky: I'm still trembling.

Tina: I don't blame you.

Nicky: What shall I wear?

Tina: Something blue . . .  you look really nice in blue.

Nicky: 'Meet by the waterfall in Kowloon Park?' Is there a waterfall there?

Tina: Yes, near the pond where the ducks and flamingos are.

Nicky: I feel nervous.

Tina: Don't be nervous Nicky . . .  this is the moment you've been waiting for.

Nicky: 'A place where I can tell you what is in my heart a place where I can ask you with my yearning lips to be my own sweet, special Valentine.'

Tina: 'Yearning lips' . . .  'yearning' . . .  what boy in our class would know how to use the word . . . 'yearning' . . .  It's the sort of word you only find in old poems.

Prakash: Look, Nicky's opened your card.

Ben: What do you think? Does she like it?

Prakash: I think Ben my friend . . .  you've got yourself a date tonight.

Now listen to the rest of the Songbirds drama and answer these questions:

1. When Nicky sees Ben by the waterfall what does she say to herself? Two of the answers below are correct.

a. Oh no, not him!

b. What bad luck!

c. What a bore!

d. He'll spoil everything.

2. After saying hello to Nicky the first thing Ben says to her is....

a. Well... where shall we go?

b. You look lovely tonight.

c. Sorry I'm a bit late.

d. Did you like the Valentine card I sent you?

Listening to, Songbirds is a great way to boost your English language skills. A repeat of tonight's Songbirds can be heard on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. also on Radio 4.

You can also read the full Songbirds script or listen to the programme again by visiting: www.rthk.org.hk, clicking on Radio 4 and then clicking on Songbirds.

Answers: 1. b and d; 2. a



Nicky meets secret Valentine