The Borrowed Key Mixup
A free A2-level English story for language learners, readable online in English, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Grace mixes up her own house key with her neighbor's spare while trying to water his plants.
Grace's neighbor, Simon, goes on a trip for a week. Before he leaves, he gives Grace a spare key.
"Please water my plants while I'm away," Simon says. "This key opens the back door."
Grace puts the spare key on the hook by her front door. She hangs it next to her own house key.
Both keys are plain and silver. They look almost the same.
On Tuesday morning, Grace grabs a key from the hook. She walks next door.
She puts the key in Simon's back door. The key does not turn.
She tries again, but the door stays locked.
"That's strange," Grace says. "Simon told me this key works."
She checks her pocket. She has only one key.
She picked up her own house key by mistake.
Grace walks home and takes both keys off the hook. She carries them both next door.
She tries the first key. It does not fit.
She tries the second key, and the door opens.
"There it is," Grace says. "That was the right key."
She waters every plant on the porch and in the kitchen. She checks the soil as she goes.
Before she leaves, Grace ties red string around Simon's key. Now she can see which key is which.
She locks the door and puts both keys in her pocket. Then she walks home.
