The Missing Classroom Markers
A free A1-level English story for language learners, readable online in 7 languages, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Elowen investigates why her art class keeps losing markers and finds a surprisingly ordinary explanation.
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Elowen's art class shared a box of markers. Every color lived inside one plastic box. Every Monday, three or four markers were gone.
Elowen looked under the tables first. She checked inside desks and backpacks. No markers turned up anywhere.
"Someone takes them home," a classmate said. Elowen was not sure. She decided to watch closely.
On Friday, she stayed a few minutes late. She watched the classroom door carefully. The school custodian walked in with his cart.
He picked up loose markers from the floor. He picked up pencils and erasers too. He placed everything in a small bin.
"Why do you collect those?" Elowen asked. The custodian smiled at her question. "I keep loose things safe every night," he said.
"Students lose these often," he said. "I return them at the front office."
Elowen laughed and felt a little silly. She imagined a very big mystery.
The next morning, she checked the front office. A full box of markers sat on the counter.
She carried the box back to her classroom. Her classmates cheered at the door.
