The Captions That Changed Grandma's Words
A free A2-level English story for language learners, readable online in English, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
A video call's caption app mistranslates Halle's grandmother, leading to a funny misunderstanding.
Every Sunday, Halle video calls her grandmother Sigrid. Sigrid lives in another country. The app shows captions under her words. She speaks a different language.
Today, Sigrid smiles and says something warm. The caption reads: "You look tired and a little sick."
Halle sits up straight. "Grandma, are you okay? The captions say I look sick."
Sigrid laughs and shakes her head. She says the same sentence again, in a calm voice.
Halle's mom sits next to her. She listens closely. "I think the app made a mistake," she says. "Grandma probably said something nice."
Halle looks at the caption again. It still shows the same strange words.
Her mom picks up her own phone. She opens a different translation app and types in what she remembers.
"Here it is," her mom says. "She said, 'You look tired but happy.' That makes sense now."
Halle laughs with relief. "The first app heard the word 'sick.' But grandma really said 'happy'!"
Sigrid looks confused. She asks what is funny. Halle explains slowly, and soon everyone laughs together.
"I'm glad it was a mistake," Halle says, "and not bad news."
They finish the call with plans for a visit next month.
