The Mail for a Name She Didn't Know
A free A2-level English story for language learners, readable online in 7 languages, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Solange keeps receiving mail for a stranger at her new apartment, and a neighbor helps her trace it to the tenant who lived there before her.
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Solange moves into a small apartment on Birchwood Street. It is her first week there. Boxes still sit in every room.
On Monday, a letter arrives at her door. The name on it is Priscilla Okafor. Solange does not know that name.
"Maybe it's for someone else in the building," she says to herself. She leaves it on the hallway table by the mailboxes.
On Tuesday, two more letters arrive for the same name. By Friday, five letters wait in a small pile. Solange decides to ask her neighbors about it.
She knocks on the door across the hall. An older woman named Perla opens it.
"Hi, I'm new here," Solange says. "Do you know anyone named Priscilla Okafor? I keep getting mail for that name."
Perla thinks for a moment. "Oh, that's Priscilla. She lived in your apartment before you. She moved out about two months ago."
"Do you know where she moved to?" Solange asks.
"Not exactly, but the manager can check," Perla says. "His office is on the first floor."
Solange thanks Perla. She walks to the manager's office with the small pile of letters. The manager checks his files and finds a forwarding address.
"I'll add a note to the mailbox," he says. "The mail carrier can update the route."
Solange writes "Please forward" on each letter. She drops them in the outgoing mail slot. The next week, no more letters for Priscilla arrive.
Solange smiles at her own mailbox, now labeled with her correct name.
