Fast 500 (Easy English Stories)

Short stories approximately 500 words in length.

[Short Story] When I Die….

/ italkyoutalk

A short story for learners of English! See below for the text.

Toby loved his grandfather very much. When he was young, his parents took him to see his grandfather every Sunday.

His grandfather’s name was Josiah. He lived in a retirement village with many other older people. Josiah couldn’t walk. He had a wheelchair. His legs were very bad and he was always in pain, but he was a very cheerful man.

Toby helped his father push the wheelchair. They would walk from the retirement home to a café. They would have afternoon tea together. Josiah told Toby many stories about his life. Josiah’s life was very interesting. He had had many adventures in different countries. Every Sunday, when they left Josiah at the retirement home, Josiah said to Toby. “I don’t have money to buy you presents now, but when I die, you will be very rich.”

Toby’s parent’s died in a car crash when Toby was only 18 years old. Toby went to university. He was very busy but he always went to see Josiah on Sundays.

One Sunday, Toby was very worried and nervous. He pushed his grandfather’s wheelchair to the café and they ordered tea and cakes.

“What’s wrong?” Josiah asked Toby. “You look worried.”

“I don’t know what to do,” answered Toby. “I have a chance to go to Japan. I have a scholarship. But I must go for one year. It is a very long time. I won’t see you. You will be lonely and I will miss you.”

“You must go,” said his grandfather. “It is your life and you must have your own adventures. I have my friends at the retirement home and you can call me and write to me, I will be OK. Go to Japan!”

Toby was very happy in Japan, but he missed his grandfather, and he worried about him. Then one day, he got a telephone call from the retirement home.

“I am very sorry,” said the manager from the retirement home. “Your grandfather died last night.”

Toby was very sad. He took and plane and traveled back home. He went to the retirement home. There were many things to do. He talked to his grandfather’s lawyer. The lawyer said, “Don’t worry about money. There is enough money in the bank to pay for your grandfather’s funeral.  Everything will be OK.”

“Thank you,” said Toby. But Toby was surprised.

My grandfather always said I would be rich when he died. I don’t mind about the money. I have enough for my life. But why did he say I would be rich? There is only a little money in the bank.

Toby was very sad at his grandfather’s funeral, but it was very nice. Many of Josiah’s old friends were there. They talked about his life. “He was a very interesting man,” they said. “He travelled and did exciting things. He was also a man with many secrets.”

After the funeral, the manager of the retirement home said, “Toby. You must come to the retirement home. You must take your grandfather’s things from his room. It must be empty because someone new will come here and use that room.”

Toby went to empty Josiah’s room. A kind nurse helped him. They put Josiah’s clothes into boxes to go to the charity shop.  Toby chose some books he wanted to keep. They gave other books to Josiah’s friends. The last thing to do was to empty the drawers of the desk. Toby opened the top drawer. Inside were all the letters he had written to his grandfather from Japan. Josiah had kept them all. Toby felt very sad. Then he saw an envelope. It had his name on it. He opened the envelope. Inside was a small piece of paper. It had a postage stamp on it and there were a few words. When you see this, I will be dead. Sell the stamp, it will make you rich,

Love Josiah

The stamp was very old and very rare. Toby sold the stamp for a lot of money.

He thought, I am rich, but I would rather have my grandfather than all this money.

By I Talk You Talk Press – Easy English Reading

[Short Story] When I Die, You Will Be Very Rich

/ italkyoutalk
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Toby loved his grandfather very much. When he was young, his parents took him to see his grandfather every Sunday.

His grandfather’s name was Josiah. He lived in a retirement village with many other older people. Josiah couldn’t walk. He had a wheelchair. His legs were very bad and he was always in pain, but he was a very cheerful man.

Toby helped his father push the wheelchair. They would walk from the retirement home to a café. They would have afternoon tea together. Josiah told Toby many stories about his life. Josiah’s life was very interesting. He had had many adventures in different countries. Every Sunday, when they left Josiah at the retirement home, Josiah said to Toby. “I don’t have money to buy you presents now, but when I die, you will be very rich.”

Toby’s parent’s died in a car crash when Toby was only 18 years old. Toby went to university. He was very busy but he always went to see Josiah on Sundays.

One Sunday, Toby was very worried and nervous. He pushed his grandfather’s wheelchair to the café and they ordered tea and cakes.

“What’s wrong?” Josiah asked Toby. “You look worried.”

“I don’t know what to do,” answered Toby. “I have a chance to go to Japan. I have a scholarship. But I must go for one year. It is a very long time. I won’t see you. You will be lonely and I will miss you.”

“You must go,” said his grandfather. “It is your life and you must have your own adventures. I have my friends at the retirement home and you can call me and write to me, I will be OK. Go to Japan!”

Toby was very happy in Japan, but he missed his grandfather, and he worried about him. Then one day, he got a telephone call from the retirement home.

“I am very sorry,” said the manager from the retirement home. “Your grandfather died last night.”

Toby was very sad. He took and plane and traveled back home. He went to the retirement home. There were many things to do. He talked to his grandfather’s lawyer. The lawyer said, “Don’t worry about money. There is enough money in the bank to pay for your grandfather’s funeral.  Everything will be OK.”

“Thank you,” said Toby. But Toby was surprised.

My grandfather always said I would be rich when he died. I don’t mind about the money. I have enough for my life. But why did he say I would be rich? There is only a little money in the bank.

Toby was very sad at his grandfather’s funeral, but it was very nice. Many of Josiah’s old friends were there. They talked about his life. “He was a very interesting man,” they said. “He travelled and did exciting things. He was also a man with many secrets.”

After the funeral, the manager of the retirement home said, “Toby. You must come to the retirement home. You must take your grandfather’s things from his room. It must be empty because someone new will come here and use that room.”

Toby went to empty Josiah’s room. A kind nurse helped him. They put Josiah’s clothes into boxes to go to the charity shop.  Toby chose some books he wanted to keep. They gave other books to Josiah’s friends. The last thing to do was to empty the drawers of the desk. Toby opened the top drawer. Inside were all the letters he had written to his grandfather from Japan. Josiah had kept them all. Toby felt very sad. Then he saw an envelope. It had his name on it. He opened the envelope. Inside was a small piece of paper. It had a postage stamp on it and there were a few words. When you see this, I will be dead. Sell the stamp, it will make you rich,

Love Josiah

The stamp was very old and very rare. Toby sold the stamp for a lot of money.

He thought, I am rich, but I would rather have my grandfather than all this money.

[Short Story with Video] Salt and Sugar

/ italkyoutalk

This is a short story for learners of English.

Wanda graduated from cooking school and got a job in the kitchen of a new café in her town. She was very happy. She has been working in the café for 6 weeks. She likes her job. The café is new and very small. The café belongs to Gregor. He makes coffee and looks after the customers. Wanda does all the cooking.

Wanda thinks Gregor is very nice, but he is also a tough boss. He wants everything to be perfect.

Today Wanda is having a very bad day. She has been in the kitchen since 6am. Last night, she broke up with her boyfriend. She was very sad so she went to visit her friend Janet. They drank a lot of wine.

Today she feels very ill. Why did I drink so much? I feel terrible, my head hurts and I went to bed so late! I am so tired!

Today Gregor is very excited. “Wanda, we must try very hard today. Look at the man sitting by the window. Do you know who that is?”

Wanda looks at the man. “No. I don’t know him. Who is he?”

“His name is Anton Wesley-Brown. He writes about food and restaurants for the newspaper! If he likes the food here, he will write a good report about this café!”

Wanda understands. Gregor wants the café to be a success.

But why today? Why did this restaurant critic come today?

Gregor goes out of the kitchen to talk to the customers. It is only 11:15 so there are not many people in the café. Most people are drinking coffee and eating muffins and cakes.

Wanda is busy making salads. Today’s special is very simple – a grilled pork chop, with cream and mustard sauce and salad.

I could have cooked something wonderful if I had known that man was coming. No, maybe not. Not today. I am too ill to cook.

Gregor comes back into the kitchen. “Mr Wesley-Brown wants the pork chop!”

“OK,” says Wanda. She takes a pork chop from the refrigerator. She reaches up to the shelf and takes down the seasonings. She sprinkles salt and pepper on the chop and puts it under the grill. She makes the sauce and puts salad on the plate.

When the meal is ready she puts it out near the door of the kitchen. Gregor hurries over and takes the meal to Mr Wesley-Brown.

Wanda turns back to the kitchen. She stares at the counter. Why is there brown sugar on the counter? I used salt, pepper, mustard. I didn’t use brown sugar. There is the pepper and the mustard. Where is the salt? Oh, no! I put brown sugar on the pork chop! Mr Wesley-Brown will hate it! Gregor will be very angry! I will lose my job!

Wanda doesn’t know what to do, so she keeps on working. She finishes all the food preparation. It is almost noon and many customers are coming in for lunch. It will be a busy day.

Gregor comes into the kitchen. “Wanda! Mr Wesley-Brown wants to talk to you.”

The restaurant critic comes into the kitchen. “This is Wanda. She does all the cooking,” says Gregor.

“I know you are very busy,” says Mr Wesley-Brown. “But I just have one question. Did you put brown sugar on my chop?”

Wanda looks at the floor. This is it, she thinks. I am going to lose my job. Gregor will fire me.

“Ur, yes,” she says.

I will have to explain, she thinks. But Mr Wesley-Brown is speaking.

It is a very good idea. The chop was very tasty. I like the way the sugar turned to caramel under the grill. Keep up the good cooking.”

He smiles and goes out. Gregor looks very happy.

Wanda smiles too and goes back to work.

I will have to have a hangover more often, she thinks.

By I Talk You Talk Press – Easy English Reading

[Short Story with Video] Saori Makes Her Own Luck

/ italkyoutalk

This is a short story for learners of English.

It’s Monday morning. Saori has no classes today, so she decides to clean her apartment. It takes a long time and it is almost 11:30am when she is finished. Next to the door are bags of bottles and jars and a pile of old magazines.

I take those to the recycling station, she thinks.

Saori ties some string around the magazines.

She puts on her jacket, and puts her keys and smartphone in her pocket.

She picks up the bags and the bundle of magazines and leaves her apartment.

The recycling station is at the local community centre.

It is a cold windy day, and Saori hurries along the road to keep warm.

Even thought the weather is not good, there is a group of older people outside the community centre. They are practising Tai Chi.

Saori puts the magazines in the paper recycling crate, and walks along to the bins of different coloured glass. There is a cage for clear glass, a cage for green glass and a cage for brown glass.

She is careful to put the glass bottles into the correct cage, but she makes a mistake.

Oh no! I have put a wine bottle into the clear glass cage. I must take it out.

Saori is not very tall, and it is difficult to reach the wine bottle. She leans over the edge of the cage. I’ve got it! Now I’ll just put it in the green bottle cage and I can go home, she thinks.

Saori doesn’t notice, but her smartphone has fallen out of her pocket. It is in the cage full of clear glass.

When Saori gets back to her apartment she thinks, I’ll call Michiko. She doesn’t have classes today. Maybe we can meet for coffee.

She puts her hand in her pocket. Where is my phone! It’s not here. I have lost it! Where did I lose it?

Saori remembers leaning over the recycle cage. Did it fall out of my pocket?

She runs out of her apartment. She runs to the recycling station. Oh no! The bins are empty! Someone has come and taken all the bottles and glass away!

Saori wants to cry. My phone! It has all my contacts! No one can call me. No one can text me! And it was so pretty!

“Excuse me.”

Saori is surprised. There is an old woman standing next to her. “Are you looking for something?”

“Yes,” says Saori. “I have lost my smartphone. I think I dropped it in the recycling cage. And now they are empty! My phone has gone!”

The old woman smiles. “Today is your lucky day,” she says.  “When I finished my Tai Chi class, I walked past the recycling station. I saw something pink in the cage for clear glass. I thought ‘that’s not good. I must take it out’. It was too difficult for me. So I called our Tai Chi instructor. He is taller and fitter than me. He rescued your smartphone.”

The old woman puts her hand in the pocket of her track suit. She takes out Saori’s smartphone and gives it to her.

“Oh, thank you!” says Saori. “I am so lucky.”

“You’re welcome,” says the old woman. “But maybe you made your own luck. Your phone is pink. That’s why I saw it. Maybe if it was silver or black I could not see it. I think pink is a good colour for a smartphone. Maybe I will get a new one.”

By I Talk You Talk Press – Easy English Reading

[Short Story with Video] Where is My Suitcase?

/ italkyoutalk

This is a short story for learners of English. We hope you enjoy it!

Terry lives alone. His parents are dead. He does not have many friends. He does not have a girlfriend.

Terry is going on holiday. He saved money all year. He wants to have a wonderful vacation in Bali. He dreams of sun, adventure and romance.

He goes to a big discount store. He buys a suitcase with wheels and a handle. The suitcase is cheap, so the only choice of colour is black.

On Friday, Terry comes home from work. He packs his bag and suitcase. On Saturday, a taxi will come at 5am to take Terry to the airport.

Terry is very excited. He enjoys the flight very much, but when he arrives in Denpasar it is very late, and he is tired.

It is almost midnight, but it is still so hot! he thinks. He goes to the baggage claim area. Where is my bag?

He sees a black suitcase with wheels and a handle. That’s my bag. I can’t wait to get to my hotel. I can have a shower, and a long sleep.

Terry goes through customs and immigration, and finds the bus for his hotel. He checks into his hotel and goes to his room. It is very nice.

He puts his bag on the bed and opens it. Oh no! Terry is looking at a bag full of bikinis and sundresses and sandals! It’s not my bag! He looks at the luggage label. —M. Stanford—  I took the wrong bag! What can I do?

He closes the bag and hurries to the elevator. I must go downstairs. I must ask the man on the front desk what to do!

The elevator arrives. Terry hurries into the elevator carrying the black bag. There is a woman in the elevator. She looks very worried.

When the elevator stops on the ground floor, Terry and the woman walk to the front desk. Terry sees that the woman has a black suitcase. There are many bags that look like mine, he thinks. I was not careful at the airport. I didn’t check the luggage label.

At the front desk, Terry and the woman from the elevator start talking at the same time.

“I have the wrong bag,” they say.

“I took the wrong bag from the airport,” says Terry. “I am very sorry. What can I do?”

“I must go back to the airport to find my bag!” says the woman. “This is a man’s bag!”

The man on the front desk laughs.

“Two people with the same problem! What is your name, madam?”

“Mandy Stanford,” answers the woman.

Terry is excited. “I can solve your problem,” he says. “Here is your bag.”

“And your name, Sir?” asks the man at the front desk.

“Terry Wiggin.”

The woman starts to laugh. “I don’t believe it! You have my bag, and I have yours!”

Terry looks at the woman. She is about the same age as Terry. She is very attractive.

Suddenly Terry doesn’t feel tired or hot any more.

“It is a strange way to meet. But would you like to have a drink with me to celebrate,” he says to Mandy.

“I think you should!” says the man on the front desk. “I have to work. Otherwise I would join you.”

“OK,” says Mandy. “It seems that we were meant to meet.”

Terry’s holiday of adventure and romance has just begun!

By I Talk You Talk Press – Easy English Reading