The Missing Button Surprise
A free A1-level English story for language learners, readable online in 7 languages, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Ondine notices something new on her coat when she picks it up from the dry cleaner.
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Ondine drops off the same red coat every month. The dry cleaner sits two blocks from her office. She picks it up every Friday.
This Friday, Ondine walks in and gives her ticket. A worker named Behnaz finds the coat on the rack. She gives it to Ondine with a smile.
Ondine checks the coat carefully. She looks at the front and the sleeves. Something looks different this time.
A button near the top looks new. Ondine points at the button. "Is this new?" she asks.
"Yes," Behnaz says. "That button was loose. We fixed it for free."
"I did not see that before," Ondine says. She looks at the other buttons too. They all match perfectly now.
"We check every coat closely," Behnaz says. "Small problems are easy to fix." Ondine nods and touches the new button gently.
"Thank you very much," Ondine says. "This is a nice surprise." Behnaz smiles and folds the coat neatly.
Behnaz hands her a bag for the coat. Ondine pays for the cleaning only. She walks out and carries her coat home.
