Danielle: Hello to everyone in my world history class! It's me, Danielle, of course. And this is my grandmother Irma. Today, I'm going to interview her. She used to be a reporter, and I want to ask her about it. I think she's had a very interesting life.
Irma: Uh, hello, class!
Danielle: So, Grandma Irma, first question. You were a newspaper reporter, right?
Irma: That's right. I worked for a few newspapers. I was a foreign correspondent.
Danielle: A foreign correspondent. Does that mean you've worked in a lot of foreign countries?
Irma: That's right. I've been to, oh… 30 or 40 different countries.
Danielle: Wow, that's a lot! I really want to go to England. Have you ever been there?
Irma: Yes, sure. I've been there many times. I interviewed Princess Diana there in the 1980s.
Danielle: You interviewed Princess Di?!
Irma: Yes. Here, let me show you – that's me, in the corner. I'm a little small.
Danielle: That doesn't even look like you!
Irma: Well, Danielle, that was 30 years ago! I've gotten older – and I've gotten a few gray hairs, too!
Danielle: So, have you met any other famous people?
Irma: Oh, yes. Well, uh, I met James Brown.
Danielle: James Brown? Really?! He was a famous soul singer about 50 years ago.
Irma: He was famous 40 years ago, too. I'm not that old. But he is one of my favorites. A lot of hip-
hop artists have used his music in their songs. And you know how I love hip-hop!
Danielle: Yeah, I know. So, what was James Brown like?
Irma: Well, he was very polite - and funny, too. He was very hardworking and an amazing dancer. He practiced for hours every day.
Danielle: Did you ever see him perform?
Irma: Yes, I did. I saw James Brown at the Apollo Theater.
Danielle: Do you mean the famous theater in New York City?
Irma: That's right. The Apollo Theater, on 125th Street in Harlem.
Danielle: Cool! What was the show like?
Irma: Oh, James Brown was great! His band was great! The audience was great! We were all dancing and singing with him. Wow!
Danielle: Uh, Grandma...our interview...
Irma: Sorry.
Danielle: That's OK. Um, right. So, here's another question. Have you ever reported on a big historical event?
Irma: Yes, I have. I was in Germany in 1989. That's when the Berlin Wall fell.
Danielle: Really?! Grandma – wow! That was a really big change in history, right? We've studied that in class.
Irma: Right. I mean, that was the end of the Cold War. People were so happy. The people in East Berlin crossed the wall and celebrated with the people in West Berlin.
Danielle: How exciting – and you were there to see it! Have you ever won an award for your stories?
Irma: Yes, I have. Actually, I won a Foreign Correspondent Award in 1989 for my story about the Berlin Wall.
Danielle: What?! A Foreign Correspondent award – that is really cool! That's a big deal! How did I not know this?
Irma: There's a lot you don't know about me.
Danielle: I guess so! OK, one last question, Grandma. Have you ever been on TV?
Irma: No, I haven't. I only worked for newspapers.
Danielle: Well, you're on TV now! Thanks so much for talking with us, Grandma. I never knew you had such an interesting life!
Irma: It was my pleasure. Maybe next time I'll tell you about the time I played basketball with Michael Jordan.
Danielle: No way! Bye, guys! No way!