The latest book I read is The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. This story is set in Italy and is about a merchant named Antonio and his best friend Bassanio. Bassanio needs money to woo the wealthy girl Portia and asks Antonio for a loan.
But Antonio does not have the money and borrows from a Jewish money lender named Shylock. Shylock hates Antonio and lends him the money on condition that if Antonio cannot repay the loan on the agreed day, Antonio must give Shylock a pound of flesh from his body.
Portia and Bassanio get married and live happily for some time. Then Antonio sends a message to remind Bassanio about the agreement but the deadline has passed. Antonio must give a pound of flesh from his body to Shylock. But Antonio is saved by a brilliant lawyer named Balthazar who in fact is Portia. Read the book to find out more about the story.
Pasindu Anjana Weerakkody,
Grade 9,
Royal International School,
Kurunegala.