The Dare to Swim Across the Pond
A free A1-level English story for language learners, readable online in English, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Nils dares Iker to swim across a pond instead of walking the long path around it, and Iker weighs both choices before diving in.
Iker and Nils stood at the edge of a pond. It was a warm Saturday in early summer. The water looked cold and a little dark. A narrow path circled the whole pond too. Tall grass grew along both sides of the path.
"I dare you to swim across," Nils said. Iker looked at the water and hesitated.
"The path around feels safe," Iker said. "The swim looks fun," Nils said.
Iker thought about both choices carefully. The path took twenty slow minutes to walk. The swim took only five fast minutes.
"I choose the swim," Iker finally said. Nils grinned and pulled off his shoes.
They both waded into the cool water. Iker kicked his legs and moved forward. Nils swam right beside him the whole way.
Halfway across, Iker's legs started to feel tired. "Keep going," Nils called. "You swim well."
Iker pushed forward with new energy. A few minutes later, his feet touched the other shore.
Both boys climbed out, dripping and proud. "We did it," Iker said, catching his breath.
Nils laughed and slapped Iker's back kindly. "That was a great choice," he said.
They sat on the grass and dried off. The sun warmed their wet shoulders slowly. The pond looked calm behind them. A small fish jumped near the shore. Nils pointed at it and laughed out loud.
