[ti:WORDS AND THEIR STORIES] [ar:Voice of America] [al:VOA Special English] [by:WWW.51VOA.COM] [00:00.00]51VOA.COM [00:11.28]Now,the VOA Special English program [00:14.85]WORDS AND THEIR STORIES. [00:17.20]Each week,this program explains [00:20.66]the many meanings of English expressions. [00:23.75]Today's expressions include [00:26.25]a very important word ¨C heart. [00:29.45]We will try to get to the heart of the matter [00:33.23]to better understand the most important things [00:37.63]about words and their stories. [00:39.84]So take heart. [00:41.65]Have no fear about learning new expressions. [00:46.33]Besides,popular English words can be fun. [00:50.32]There is no need for a heavy heart. [00:53.82]Such feelings of sadness [00:56.16]would only break my heart, [00:58.61]or make me feel unhappy and hopeless. [01:02.51]Now,let us suppose you [01:05.62]and I were speaking freely [01:08.31]about something private. [01:10.30]We would be having a heart to heart discussion. [01:14.51]I might speak from the bottom of my heart, [01:18.02]or say things honestly and truthfully. [01:21.38]I might even open up my heart to you [01:24.93]and tell a secret. [01:26.79]I would speak with all my heart, [01:30.19]or with great feeling. [01:32.82]When a person shares her feelings freely [01:37.94]and openly like this, [01:39.78]you might say she wears her heart [01:42.84]on her sleeve, [01:44.21]or on her clothing. [01:46.06]Her emotions are not protected. [01:49.11]If we had an honest discussion, [01:53.20]both of us would know [01:55.23]that the other person's heart [01:57.92]is in the right place. [02:00.02]For example, [02:01.96]I would know that you are a kind-hearted [02:06.23]and well-meaning person. [02:08.36]And,if you are a very good person, [02:11.93]I would even say [02:13.96]that you have a heart of gold. [02:17.22]However,you might have a change of heart [02:21.60]based on what I tell you. [02:23.88]Our discussion might cause you [02:27.02]to change the way you feel about something. [02:30.21]But,let us suppose you get angry [02:35.60]over what I tell you. [02:37.31]Or worse, [02:38.67]you feel no sympathy or understanding [02:42.34]for me or my situation. [02:44.85]If this happens, [02:46.78]I might think that you have a heart of stone. [02:51.22]And,if you say something [02:54.30]to make me frightened or worried, [02:56.91]my heart might stand still or skip a beat. [03:01.31]Yet,even though you may be angry, [03:05.70]I would know that at heart, [03:08.53]you are a kind person. [03:10.82]In reality,you do care. [03:14.07]And any argument between us [03:16.99]would not cause me to lose heart [03:19.85]or feel a sense of loss. [03:22.42]My heart goes out to anyone [03:25.87]who loses a friend over an argument. [03:29.20]It really is a sad situation, [03:33.04]and I feel sympathy for the people involved. [03:36.81]I promise that what I have told you today [03:41.32]is true ¨C cross my heart. [03:43.63]I really wanted to play some music [03:47.42]at the end of this feature. [03:49.00]In fact,I had my heart set on it. [03:52.96]So here it is, [03:54.52]"Don't Go Breaking my Heart" by Elton John. [03:58.64](MUSIC) [04:33.01]This VOA Special English program, [04:35.60]WORDS AND THEIR STORIES, [04:37.64]was written by Jill Moss. [04:39.79]I'm Faith Lapidus. [04:41.30]51VOA.COM