Intermediate short stories (A2-B1)
These are Intermediate level short stories. They are longer and more challenging to read. English learners or casual readers will enjoy discovering new characters and settings.
Each story is built around a specific vocabulary or grammar topic. Vocabulary charts or grammar worksheets are provided to facilitate understanding.
Here are our short stories:
Nice to Meet You Father Christmas: Luso and his friends want to write a letter to Father Christmas, the richest man in the world. They want to ask him for presents. They have never done this before. Will their letter reach the North Pole? Will they get their presents? Read this quirky intermediate short story to find out.
Twenty out of Twenty: William is a strong-willed teenager. He likes to be challenged all the time. What is he up to now? Read this thought-provoking short story that will not leave you indifferent.
The Last Piece of Chicken: This is a funny short story about a boy who wants to get the last piece of chicken in the plate. He has a plan. Will it work? Read on to find out!
The Timetable: Study the Future Tense with this mesmerising intermediate short story about a man who leaves his wife a timetable. He says that it is a token of love. What is she supposed to do with it? Read on to find out.
Those Whispers Were Not For Me: This is a story about love and the will to survive in hostile conditions.
A Job for Joe: This is a heart-warming short story about a young man who has just received an employment offer. Nothing can ruin his happiness or almost…
The Perfect Present: Have you ever bought somebody a present and they destroyed it right in front of your eyes? Read this surprising short story and learn more about the Present Perfect.
I will not learn under a mango tree: It is the first and last day of school for Jack Phiri. He wants to learn but he won’t learn at any cost. His friends won’t either. Why? Read on to find out.
Josephine, My Love: This is a coming-of-age short story about the transformational power of love. Joseph goes to his home village for holidays. Little does he know what is in store for him. Joseph discovers that some encounters are not easy to forget. Who is Josephine? Why does he feel so attracted to this girl? What awaits him in the future? Read this passionate story to find out.
Things: Tawonga is a twelve-year old girl who wants to become a journalist in the future. One day, four visitors from England make their way into her village. They have a surprise. ‘Things’ is an intermediate to advanced level short story about objects and their roles in our lives.
Beyond: Two people meet at the airport after a long, long time. Circumstances have brought them together for a common goal. Read this short story and follow this moving encounter while learning ‘Airport Vocabulary’ at the same time.
The Decision: This is a story about a girl who is always being punished at school. She does not understand these punishments of course! There seems to be no hope and her teachers have given up on her. One day, something important happens to her.
Uncle John Has Come to Stay: Uncle John goes to his brother’s house for a temporary visit in the city. He soon outstays his welcome. Read this intermediate short story and find out what happens.
Don’t Go There: This is a heartbreaking story about two women whose lives are about to change in a way that they have never imagined before. It is also a story of tough decisions and haunting memories. You can study different types of Modal Verbs and the Imperative Form with this text.
You can also find Paperback and Kindle versions of some of these stories on Amazon.