The Key Under the Wrong Mat
A free A2-level English story for language learners, readable online in 7 languages, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Paolo can't get into his apartment with his spare key until he realizes he is at the wrong door.
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Paolo came home late one night. He was tired after a long day at work.
He looked under his doormat for the spare key. It always stayed there for emergencies.
The key was there, but it did not fit the lock. Paolo tried again and again.
He knocked on the door, but no one answered. He lived alone, so that made sense.
Paolo stepped back and looked at the door number. It said twelve, not fourteen.
He stood at the wrong apartment! The building had two floors with the same layout.
Paolo walked up one more flight of stairs. He found his own door, number fourteen.
His neighbor Greta opened her door and looked out. "Are you okay?" she asked. "I heard noise downstairs."
"Sorry, Greta," Paolo said. "I tried to open the wrong door with the wrong key."
Greta laughed. "That happens a lot here. The two floors look exactly the same."
Paolo found his real spare key in his bag. He opened his own door and smiled.
"Good night, Greta," he said. "Next time, I will count the floors first."
