Missing the Last Bus
A free A1-level English story for language learners, readable online in English, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Ethan misses the last bus home after visiting a friend and has to find another way back.
Ethan stays at his friend Owen's house after school. They do homework together and talk. Ethan looks at the clock. It is almost ten o'clock.
"I need to go home now," Ethan says. "My bus leaves soon."
He says goodbye to Owen and runs down the stairs. He runs all the way to the bus stop. He looks down the street. No bus is there.
Ethan checks the sign at the bus stop. The last bus left five minutes ago. He feels his phone in his pocket. He has no money for a taxi.
Ethan thinks for a moment. He remembers the train station. It is not far from here. Trains run later than buses.
He starts to walk fast toward the station. The streets are quiet and dark. He walks past the market and the small park. Finally, he sees the station lights.
Ethan runs inside and looks at the board. One more train leaves in three minutes. He buys a ticket and runs to the platform. He gets on the train quickly.
The train takes him close to his house. He walks the last street alone. He opens his front door quietly.
"There you are," says his mom. "I was getting worried."
"Sorry, Mom," Ethan says. "I missed my bus. I took the train instead."
"Next time, call me," she says with a smile.
"I will," Ethan says. "I promise."
