The Song That Played Every Friday
A free A2-level English story for language learners, readable online in 7 languages, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Imogen wonders why her coworker Quentin plays the same old song every Friday, until she learns it is a gentle memory of his grandmother.
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Imogen worked in a small office with ten other people. Every Friday afternoon, her coworker Quentin played an old song. It came from the break room radio.
The song was slow and a little strange. It sounded like nothing else on the radio. Imogen didn't know the singer or the song's name.
"Why do you play that song every week?" Imogen asked him one Friday.
Quentin looked up from his coffee. "It's just a habit," he said quietly. Then he turned back to his desk.
Imogen thought that was an odd answer. She wondered if he simply liked old music. Maybe there was another reason.
The next Friday, she watched Quentin closely. He pressed play at exactly three o'clock. Then he sat still and listened. He did not talk to anyone.
After the song ended, Imogen walked over to his desk. "I don't mean to be nosy," she said. "But that song means something to you."
Quentin nodded slowly. "My grandmother sang it to me on Fridays after school," he said. "She died two years ago this month."
"I'm sorry," Imogen said softly. "I didn't know."
"It's okay," Quentin said. "The song makes me think of her kitchen. It makes me think of fresh bread too. It's a nice memory, not a sad one."
Imogen smiled. "Then I hope you keep playing it every Friday."
The next week, the song started again at three o'clock. Imogen brought Quentin a cup of tea. She sat down quietly beside him.
