The Driving Lesson in the Empty Lot
A free A2-level English story for language learners, readable online in 7 languages, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Aaliyah stalls her father's manual car again and again in an empty parking lot until she finally gets the clutch right.
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Aaliyah sits in the driver's seat of her father's old car. Her father, Farid, sits beside her with his seatbelt on.
They are in the empty parking lot behind the old stadium. It is Sunday morning, and no other cars are around.
"This car has a manual gearbox," Farid says. "It's different from the one at your driving school."
Aaliyah looks at the three pedals near her feet. "Which one is the clutch again?"
"The one on the left," Farid says. "Push it down all the way before you start the engine."
Aaliyah pushes the clutch and turns the key. The engine starts with a low rumble.
"Now slowly lift your left foot," Farid says. "Push the gas a little too."
Aaliyah lifts her foot too fast. The car jumps forward once, then stops completely.
"Sorry," Aaliyah says, her cheeks turning red.
"That's normal," Farid says. "Everyone stalls the car at first. Try again."
Aaliyah starts the engine again and tries. The car jumps and stalls a second time, then a third.
She sits back in her seat and breathes out slowly.
"Maybe I'm not good at this," she says quietly.
"You just started five minutes ago," Farid says. "Give it a few more tries."
Aaliyah starts the car again. This time, she lifts her foot slowly and evenly. The car rolls forward, smooth and steady.
"I did it!" she says, gripping the wheel tightly.
Farid smiles. "Let's try that again. Then we'll drive around the whole lot."
