The Canoe That Sprang a Leak
A free A2-level English story for language learners, readable online in 7 languages, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Isla and Magnus notice water pooling inside their rented canoe and paddle back to trade it for a dry one.
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Isla and Magnus rent a canoe for the afternoon. The lake is calm, and the sun feels warm. They paddle out past the small dock. Magnus steers while Isla watches the shore.
After twenty minutes, Isla notices water near her feet. "Magnus, look," she says. "There's water inside the canoe." Magnus stops paddling and looks down.
"That's not good," he says. "We need to turn back." They turn the canoe around and paddle toward the dock. The water rises slowly around their feet.
A man at the rental stand waves them in. "Are you okay?" he calls. "We have a leak," Magnus answers. "Can we get a different canoe?"
"Of course," the man says. "Come to the dock, and I'll help you." Isla and Magnus climb out and step onto dry land. Water pours out of the canoe as the man tips it up.
"Sorry about that," the man says. "This canoe is old. Take this one instead." He points to another canoe tied nearby.
Isla and Magnus thank him and climb into the new canoe. They push off from the dock again. This time, the bottom stays completely dry.
