The Canoe That Drifted
A free A1-level English story for language learners, readable online in English, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Fog rolls in and pushes Tao and Yuki off their usual river route, and they weigh a fast, rocky marsh shortcut against the longer, safer way back.
Tao and Yuki paddle a canoe on a wide river. The morning starts clear and calm. Thick fog rolls in around midday. Soon, they cannot see the shore clearly. Their paddles dip quietly into the gray water.
"We drifted off our usual path," Tao says. Yuki checks the small map in her bag.
Two routes lead back to the dock. One route cuts straight through a narrow marsh. The other route follows the wide, open river.
"The marsh route looks quick," Tao says. "But the water there gets shallow and rocky."
"The river route takes more time," Yuki says. "It stays open and safe the whole way."
Tao thinks about the fog and the rocks. "Let's take the safe route," he finally says. Yuki nods and steers the canoe right.
They paddle along the wide, open river. The fog slowly lifts around them. Sunlight breaks through in warm, soft patches.
After thirty minutes, the dock comes into view. Tao points at it and smiles with relief.
"Good choice," Yuki says. "We stayed dry and safe."
They pull the canoe onto the sandy shore. Tao looks back toward the quiet, misty marsh. "Next time, with clear skies," he says. Yuki folds the small map and laughs softly. They carry the canoe up to the car together.
