The Wrong Train Ticket
A free A1-level English story for language learners, readable online in English, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Peter buys a train ticket to the wrong city and hurries to fix it before his train leaves.
Peter wants to visit his sister in Riverton. He walks to the train station early in the morning.
He goes to the ticket counter and waits in line. "One ticket to Riverton, please," he says.
The clerk types on her computer. She prints a ticket and hands it to him.
Peter pays for the ticket. He thanks the clerk and walks toward the platform.
He waits for his train. He looks down at the ticket in his hand.
Peter stops. The ticket says "Lakeside," not "Riverton." He reads it again, but it still says Lakeside.
He walks back to the ticket counter. "Excuse me," he says. "This ticket is wrong."
"I asked for a ticket to Riverton," Peter explains. The clerk looks at the ticket.
"I'm sorry," she says. "I typed the wrong city. Let me print a new one."
She types again and checks the screen twice. Then she prints a new ticket.
"Here is your ticket to Riverton," she says. Peter checks it carefully.
The new ticket says "Riverton" now. Peter smiles and thanks the clerk.
He walks back to the platform. The train to Riverton waits by the platform.
Peter finds a seat by the window and sits down. He puts the old ticket in the trash can.
Then he puts the new ticket safely in his bag. The train doors close, and the train starts to move.
