The Unscanned Sweater
A free A1-level English story for language learners, readable online in 7 languages, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
A self-checkout machine misses an item, and Selene has to decide what to do once she notices.
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Selene shops for a birthday gift at the mall. The store is busy on a Saturday afternoon. She picks out a soft blue sweater.
She also grabs a small candle near the register. At the self-checkout, she scans the candle first. She holds up the sweater next.
The tag hangs inside a fold of fabric. She scans it, or thinks she does. The screen shows only one item.
Selene pays for the candle and bags both items. She does not check the screen twice. She walks out to her car.
She drives home and stops at a red light. She checks her receipt at the light. Only one item is listed on it.
Selene realizes the mistake right away. She feels a little nervous. She turns her car around at the next light.
She drives back to the store. She walks up to the service desk. A worker greets her with a smile.
"I did not pay for this sweater," Selene says. She points to the item in her bag. The worker checks her receipt carefully.
"You're right," the worker says kindly. "Let's fix that now." Selene pays the missing amount.
She thanks the worker and leaves again. This time, she checks her receipt twice. Everything on it looks correct.
