The History Project Partners
A free A2-level English story for language learners, readable online in English, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Pearl misreads her quiet history project partner's silence until she learns he is just shy with new people.
Pearl's teacher paired her with Kavi for the history project. They had one week to finish it together.
On the first day, Kavi barely spoke. He answered her questions with short words. He looked at his notebook most of the time.
Pearl thought he did not like the project. Or maybe he did not like working with her.
"If you have other ideas, we can use them," she said carefully.
Kavi looked up, surprised. "No, I like your ideas," he said. "I'm just quiet when I meet new people."
"Oh," Pearl said. "I thought you were bored."
"Not at all," Kavi said. "I actually think this topic is interesting. I just don't talk much at first."
Pearl smiled and relaxed a little. "Me too, sometimes," she said. "Let's start with the timeline."
They worked together every day that week. Kavi talked easily by the third day.
By Friday, he told jokes between the facts and maps.
They finished the project early and printed it together at the library.
"Same partner next time?" Kavi asked with a smile.
"Same partner," Pearl said, and they high-fived over the stack of papers.
