The Coins in the Fountain
A free A2-level English story for language learners, readable online in 4 languages, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Annika wants to know who empties the town fountain every night, so she gets up early to watch.
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There is a small fountain in the town square. People throw coins into the water and make wishes. Annika passes it every day on her way to school.
In the afternoon, the water is full of shiny coins. Every morning, the fountain is empty.
"Who takes them?" she asks her brother.
"A thief," he says. "It is easy money."
Annika does not think so. A thief does not come every night. And why does the thief leave the water so clean?
On Saturday, she gets up at five. She puts on a coat and takes a hot drink. She sits on a bench near the fountain and waits. The square is dark and quiet.
At six, a woman in a green jacket walks up. She has a long net and a bucket. She puts the net into the water. She lifts the coins out one by one.
Annika walks over. "Excuse me. Why do you take the money?"
The woman laughs. "It is for the animal shelter. I am a volunteer. The town says it is fine. There is a sign."
She points to a small sign on the edge. Dirt and old leaves cover the words.
"Nobody can read that," Annika says.
She takes a cloth from her bag and cleans the sign. Then she drops one of her own coins into the water.
