The Rearranged Desk
A free B1-level English story for language learners, readable online in English, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Diego notices small things on his desk keep moving overnight and stays late to find out why.
Diego works late most evenings, finishing reports after everyone else has gone home. Lately, he's noticed something odd: small things on his desk are never quite where he left them. His stapler ends up on the wrong side. His pens get lined up in a neat row instead of scattered the way he likes them.
At first, he assumes he's simply forgetting how he left things the night before. But this happens again, for the fifth night in a row. He starts to suspect someone else is involved.
He decides to stay a little later than usual to see who comes through the office after hours. Around nine o'clock, he hears the soft sound of a cart in the hallway. A man he's never spoken to before pushes it into the room. He's the night cleaner, and his name tag reads Felix.
"Sorry if I've disturbed anything," Felix says, noticing Diego is still there. "I like to straighten up a bit while I clean. It's a habit from my last job."
Diego laughs, relieved to finally understand the mystery. "No harm done. I was starting to think I was losing my mind."
They talk for a few minutes. Diego learns that Felix has been working nights for over a year. He studies during the day. He's saving money for a certification course that could help him change careers.
Diego has some spare time before his next deadline. He offers to look over Felix's study notes. He once tutored students in the same subject, so he knows the material well. Felix seems surprised but grateful, and they agree to meet for twenty minutes each week.
Now, when Diego stays late, he doesn't mind the rearranged desk at all. If anything, he looks forward to Felix's visits. The strange little mystery has turned into an unexpected friendship.
