The Potluck Mix-Up
A free A1-level English story for language learners, readable online in English, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Ahmed and his sister both bring the same salad to a family potluck.
Ahmed's family plans a big potluck dinner. Every person brings one dish to share. Ahmed offers to bring a salad.
His sister, Layla, also offers to help. "I'll bring a salad too," she says. Neither of them tells their mother.
Ahmed spends the morning cutting vegetables. Layla spends her morning doing the same thing. Neither one calls the other first.
On the day of the potluck, they arrive. Ahmed carries a big bowl of salad. Layla carries the exact same salad.
"We made the same thing," Ahmed says, laughing. Layla looks at both bowls and laughs too. "We think the same way," she jokes.
Their mother looks at the table sadly. "Now we have no bread," she says. Everyone needed different dishes, not two salads.
Ahmed has an idea right away. He runs to the kitchen with Layla. They quickly make some simple bread together.
They mix the flour, water, and salt. They shape small loaves with their hands. The bread bakes in the hot oven. Everyone waits and chats happily.
They bring the warm bread to the table. Everyone claps and thanks the siblings. The potluck has two salads and fresh bread.
