Learn by Listening Level 2

[00:00.20]My Doll|[00:02.49] When I was an infant, I got a rag doll.|[00:04.98] It was a very plain, little doll,|[00:06.47] and it wore a clown outfit and a clown's hat.|[00:09.15] I used to take that doll to bed with me every night.|[00:11.88] I couldn't go to bed without my doll.|[00:13.69] My mother used to pretend|[00:15.12] that the doll was talking to me.|[00:16.80] She would make the doll dance and sing songs.|[00:19.04] I would talk to the doll.|[00:20.78] My mother would answer for the doll,|[00:22.92] but I was a baby, and I thought|[00:24.91] that the doll was actually talking to me.|[00:26.65] That doll was my best friend.|[00:29.08] I took her everywhere.|[00:30.57] One time I took her to a store with me,|[00:32.68] and I left her on a shelf in the store.|[00:34.67] We were halfway home when I realized|[00:36.85] that I didn't have my doll with me.|[00:38.78] I was very upset.|[00:40.27] My mother and I rushed back to the store.|[00:42.20] My doll was still there.|[00:43.63] I was so relieved.|[00:44.81] I hugged my doll, and I promised myself|[00:46.74] that I would never leave her anywhere again.|[00:49.48] I couldn't imagine life without that doll.|[00:51.41] Through the years,|[00:52.77] the doll became less important in my life.|[00:54.95] I had other things to do,|[00:56.20] but the doll still sat on my bed during the day,|[00:58.56] and I still took it to bed at night.|[01:00.86] I gave that doll a lot of love when I was little.|[01:03.66] In fact, I loved the doll so much|[01:05.71] that she looks tattered and torn now.|[01:08.15] There are parts of her face|[01:09.64] and hands that are almost worn away.|[01:11.44] I had a lot of other toys when I was little,|[01:14.31] but none of them were ever so important as that doll.|[01:17.54] I don't play with toys anymore,|[01:19.22] but that doll is still in my room.|[01:21.46] She sits in a special chair in the corner.|[01:23.88] I'll always have that doll.|[01:25.56] No matter how worn out she is,|[01:27.31] I'll always keep her and cherish her|[01:29.42] as a part of my early childhood.