Postbox Number - NICHOLAS HORSBURGH

Summary: Postbox Number by Nicholas Horsburgh is a short story about Mr Broadman, the headmaster of St George’s School, who suffers constant problems with mail delivery because many nearby places share the name “George.” He repeatedly receives letters and parcels meant for a bakery, a cycle repair shop, and a beauty salon.

Tired of the confusion, Mr Broadman applies for a postbox number. However, delays and misunderstandings continue, and he later discovers that the postbox number and key were sent to the postbox itself. After finally receiving another key, the problem is resolved, and his mail is no longer mixed up with that of the other “Georges.”


Exercises

A. Questions

1. What was Mr Broadman's problem?

Answer: Mr Broadman’s problem was that he kept receiving letters and parcels meant for other places with the name “George” because there were many “Georges” in the same area.

2. How many Georges were there?

Answer: There were five Georges: St George’s School, St George’s Church, St George’s Bakery, Georgina’s Salon, Georgie’s Repairs.

3. Who was the bunch of flowers for?

Answer: The bunch of flowers was meant for a priest (Father) who had conducted a wedding, not for Mr Broadman.

4. What do you think Mr Broadman said in his second letter to the Postmaster?

Answer: He probably complained angrily about the delay and said he was very dissatisfied because he had not received any reply or postbox number.

5. What is a Postbox Number?

Answer: A Postbox Number is a special numbered box at the post office where a person’s mail is delivered and collected using a key.

6. Where did the Postmaster send the key?

Answer: The Postmaster sent the key to Mr Broadman’s postbox number.


B. Reference to context

Read these lines from the story, then answer the questions.

1. 'I am fed up with the PM and the PO.'

a. Who says these words, and to whom?

Answer: Mr Broadman says these words to his wife.

b. Explain, 'fed up', 'PM' and 'PO'.

Answer: 'Fed up' means very tired, annoyed, or frustrated. 'PM' means Postmaster. 'PO' means Post Office.

c. What reply is given to this comment?

Answer: His wife suggests that he should phone the Postmaster.


2. 'Where on earth did you send it?'

a. Who says these words, and to whom?

Answer: Mr Broadman says these words to the Postmaster.

b. Why is the question asked?

Answer: The question is asked because Mr Broadman had not received the letter or the key for his postbox. 

c. What reply is given?

Answer: The Postmaster replies that it was sent to Mr Broadman’s postbox number. 

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