the tired driver

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A man must driveCONDUIRE for several days to reach his new home. After a long and tiringFATIGANT journey throughoutTOUT AU LONG DE the night, he decides to pull overSE GARER on the roadside to take a napFAIRE UNE SIESTE.

A man knocks on the car’s window, waking the driver. He asks what time it is. The driver checks his watch and replies, “It’s 8 AM,” then goesRETOURNE back to sleep. After a whileAU BOUT D’UN MOMENT, another man knocks, again waking the driver, and asks the same question. The driver responds, “It’s 8:05 AM,” and returns to sleep.

Sure enoughCOMME PRÉVU, another man soon knocks, asking the time. Now annoyedAGACÉ, the driver snaps, “It’s 8:07 AM.” He writes “I don’t know what time it is!” in bold lettersLETTRES GRASSES on a paper, sticks itLE COLLE to the window, and goes back to sleep.

The driver is wokenRÉVEILLÉ again by a knock. The man outside says, “It’s 8:10 AM, you’re welcomeDE RIEN!”

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🔍 Vocabulary

In this joke, let’s examine pull over, take a nap, annoyed, and you’re welcome.

Pull over: to move a vehicle to the side of the road and stop.

Take a nap: to have a short sleep, usually during the day.

Annoyed: feeling irritated or slightly angry.

You’re welcome: a polite response to someone thanking you, or used humorously here to acknowledge help.

• The lorry driver had to pull overSE GARER for a break.
• I like to take a napFAIRE UNE SIESTE after lunch.
• She was annoyedAGACÉE by the constant interruptions.
• “Thanks for the help!” “You’re welcomeDE RIEN!”

📘 Grammar

This joke uses direct speech to capture the driver’s conversations with passersby.

It also employs the past continuous tense (e.g., “is woken”) to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past.

• “What time is it?” he asked. (direct speech)
• She was being wokenRÉVEILLÉE by the noise every morning. (past continuous tense)

🔄 Synonyms & Alternatives

Pull over: stop, park

Take a nap: doze, rest

You’re welcome: my pleasure, no problem

💬 Mini Dialogue

Transport Manager: I’m annoyedAGACÉ—drivers keep forgetting to pull overSE GARER for breaks.

Driver: I did take a napFAIRE UNE SIESTE by the roadside, but someone kept asking the time!

Transport Manager: Well, next time, put up a sign!

Driver: I did, and they still told me the time—you’re welcomeDE RIEN!

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