The Man Who Ate Too Much — a short story for English reading and speaking

Introduction

What is overeating?

Do you eat too much?

Do you know anyone who eats too much?

How can we discuss this topic in a sensitive way to promote healthy eating?

The Man Who Ate Too Much

Henry loved food.

He loved to eat, and he had a very healthy appetite for eating.

Many would regard his love of food in this day of intermittent fasting and gym-toned bodies as being out of touch with modern health standards, but Henry waved these ideas away as he ordered another dish in one of his favourite restaurants.

“I am a foodie,” he said with great pride. “A lover of good food and a connoisseur of the finest cuisine in all the country.”

Henry had a blog. He did not refer to it as a blog, though.

“A review and critique of great food and dining,” he declared with inflated pride, should anyone bother to ask.

He had many social media accounts, too. He wrote articles, guides, introductions, and reviews of every restaurant he found.

He had no particular love or desire for one culinary style. He loved all of it.

In truth, Henry was a glutton. He just loved to eat and eat and eat.

This evening, Henry was preparing for another soiree. Another night in a dining establishment that pandered to his every need as soon as he walked in the door.

Tonight, he would eat a six-course dinner at a new French restaurant under the name of Ooh La La Bistro.

Henry arrived and the maître’d ushered him in, clapping his hands at the team of waiters with perfect starched white shirts and hair kept in place with lots of oil.

The staff fawned over Henry as he gorged on plates of the finest food presented to him.

He started with caviar stuffed quails’ eggs and then went on to the lobster soup and a rare form of shrimp grilled with a pinch of garlic and handmade butter.

Then he had their speciality… gold-leaf steak. Prime beef marinated in gold — yes, gold! — and fried in an olive oil so smooth that ladies of the town would die for just a thimble to put on the lines under their tired and over-made-up eyes.

For dessert, Henry had a sorbet made from the rare and exotic kind of fruit that could only be found on a small and barely inhabited island in the Pacific Ocean.

Henry ate and ate and ate.

But when he left the restaurant and hailed a taxi, his stomach rumbled like he had not eaten all day…

That night, Henry ordered a big, fat cheeseburger with two huge portions of fries and a milkshake. He stuffed it all into his mouth like he had not seen food for days.

Still hungry!

He collapsed onto his bed; the mattress creaking under his immense weight.

Why do I feel so ravenous? Henry thought to himself. He had never experienced such an intense hunger in all his life.

He awoke the next morning, his hands shaking. He ran for the phone and called the local delicatessen.

“I need the biggest loaf of bread you have,” he yelled down the phone. “All your cheese and… and…”

“And what, sir?” came the snobby voice of the owner of the deli.

Henry tried to think about what he actually needed.

“Everything. Bring me everything. Bring me a big chocolate cake.”

The food arrived as Henry paced the room, his mind going frantic at the mere thought of eating. His hands would not stop shaking at the lack of protein, fat, sugar, and salt running through his bloodstream.

He glanced at his face in the mirror and a pale, ghost-like visage stared back at him.

What was happening to him?

Usually, his face had a thick and ruddy complexion. Like a stuffed pig, not a spectre haunting an old castle.

Eventually, the delivery boy pulled up on his bike, whistling a tune to himself.

“Where the devil have you been?” Henry gasped at him as he yanked the front door open.

The boy gave Henry a startled look but proceeded to pile food on the table. Great baskets of bread, cheese, bananas, a huge watermelon, biscuits, six chicken legs, an immense slab of pork, and the biggest, creamiest chocolate cake Henry had ever seen.

Henry immediately ripped the boxes and packaging apart.

He stuffed food into his mouth, chewing voraciously and barely giving himself time to swallow before filling his mouth again.

But the hunger remained. Still, he was not sated.

Henry called his assistant. An overworked woman, who patiently listened to Henry’s request to cancel all his engagements for the day.

He was supposed to dine at another restaurant in the city. He was expected to write a full review of the gastronomical delights they had to offer.

But he had a more pressing issue. His insatiable hunger.

All day, Henry sat in his kitchen. He ordered from fast-food outlets, from supermarkets, from convenience stores.

He ordered everything he could imagine.

He ate all day.

The hunger did not subside.

Finally, he could feel his body weakening. His heart trembling, his stomach groaning in agony.

“I’m dying…” he cried out to himself.

Henry wondered who could help him. He had long lost contact with any family he had.

And friends… Henry couldn’t think of one person he could call a friend.

On his last legs, he called a taxi.

“Take me to the hospital!” he whispered to the driver. “But first, drop by any place you see selling food along the way…”

The driver sped through the town.

He stopped at a late-night shop selling chicken wings and kebabs. Henry filled his face with everything they had.

Then on to the hospital.

The taxi screeched to a halt outside the entrance, and the driver called out for help. A couple of nurses peered inside the back of the taxi and could not believe what they saw.

A man, half-emaciated, his skin white and ashen.

Henry was brought into the hospital, and he was immediately surrounded by doctors and nurses.

But they were too late…

Nothing could revive him. He breathed his last and final breath, then was gone.

“This poor man has starved to death,” came the verdict of the most senior doctor there.

And he recorded the time of death.

And that was the end of Henry.

Reading Comprehension Questions

Who is the main character of the story?

What does Henry love to do?

How does Henry describe himself when it comes to food?

What is the name of the French restaurant Henry visits?

What did Henry eat at Ooh La La Bistro?

What did Henry eat after leaving the French restaurant?

How did Henry feel after eating the cheeseburger and milkshake?

What did Henry order from the local delicatessen?

What happened to Henry’s appearance as the story progressed?

Why did Henry cancel all his engagements for the day?

Describe Henry’s attitude towards food in the story.

Why did Henry’s hunger intensify despite eating a lot?

How did Henry’s behaviour change as he became hungrier?

What did the delivery boy bring to Henry’s house?

What actions did Henry take as he tried to satisfy his hunger?

How did Henry’s body react to his excessive eating?

Who did Henry try to call for help before going to the hospital?

Why did the taxi driver stop on the way to the hospital?

What was the final verdict of the senior doctor at the hospital?

How did the story end for Henry?

Essential Vocabulary

Exercise

Write down all the words and phrases in your vocabulary notebook. Look in your dictionary and find the meaning of each word. Write the definition next to each word.

Then make up your own sentences using each word or phrase.

For example:

Restaurant: A place where people pay to sit and eat meals that are prepared and served by others.

Haunting: Persistently disturbing or distressing, often related to eerie or ghostly experiences or memories that continue to trouble someone.

Then write a sentence of your own that uses the new word or phrase correctly.

We decided to celebrate our anniversary at a fancy restaurant downtown.

The haunting melody of the music brought tears to her eyes.

Do this with all the vocabulary and, over time, this will help improve all your English skills — reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Discussion Questions

What is your initial impression of Henry based on the text?

Do you think Henry’s love for food was healthy, or did it become an obsession?

Have you ever considered starting a blog or social media account about a personal interest or hobby? What would it be about?

How would you describe Henry’s dining experience at Ooh La La Bistro?

Do you think the extravagant dishes Henry ate were worth the expense? Why or why not?

What do you think caused Henry’s intense hunger after leaving the restaurant?

How did Henry’s appearance change as he continued to eat uncontrollably?

Have you ever experienced a strong craving for a specific food? What was it, and how did you satisfy it?

What do you think Henry’s assistant felt when he cancelled all his appointments?

If you were in Henry’s situation, what would you do to try to control your insatiable hunger?

Can you relate to Henry’s feeling of isolation and lack of close friends?

How might Henry’s story be different if he had sought help earlier instead of continuing to eat?

What role did food play in Henry’s life, and how did it ultimately lead to his downfall?

Do you think Henry’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of excessive indulgence?

How important is it to strike a balance between enjoying food and maintaining a healthy lifestyle?

Can you think of any famous historical figures who were known for their love of food or gluttony?

In your culture, are there any traditional dishes or foods that people enjoy without restraint during special occasions?

Do you believe that people should have cheat days when they can indulge in their favourite foods guilt-free? Why or why not?

How do you think Henry’s story could have been different if he had found a support system or close friends?

What lessons can we learn from Henry’s tragic end, and how can we apply them to our own lives regarding food and moderation?

Do you think people today eat more than they used to? Why or why not?

What are some common reasons people overeat?

Have you ever overeaten? What was the occasion, and how did you feel afterwards?

In your culture, are there any traditional dishes or celebrations that involve eating a lot of food?

What are the health consequences of eating too much?

How do you manage portion control when you’re eating out at restaurants?

Are there any foods or snacks that you find it hard to stop eating once you start?

What strategies can help people avoid overeating during holiday seasons or on special occasions?

Do you believe that emotional factors, like stress or boredom, can contribute to overeating? Why or why not?

How can someone develop healthier eating habits if they tend to eat too much?

Are there any cultural or social factors that encourage or discourage overeating in your country?

Do you think the food industry plays a role in promoting overeating? How?

Have you ever tried a diet or weight loss program to control overeating? Did it work for you?

What role does mindfulness play in preventing overeating?

How can friends and family support someone who is trying to overcome overeating habits?

Are there any famous or historical figures who struggled with overeating? What can we learn from their experiences?

Do you think it’s possible to enjoy food without overeating? How can people strike a balance?

What advice would you give to someone who wants to develop a healthier relationship with food?

Should schools and workplaces promote healthier eating habits to reduce overeating? Why or why not?

Can you share a personal story or experience related to the topic of overeating and its consequences?