The Wobbly Bookshelf
A free A1-level English story for language learners, readable online in 7 languages, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Carlos rushes through building a bookshelf and has to take it apart to fix a skipped step.
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Carlos bought a new bookshelf in a box. He opened it and read the instructions. He wanted to build it quickly.
The instructions had many small steps. Carlos skimmed them fast, not slowly. He skipped a few steps to save time.
He put the shelves in fast. Soon, the bookshelf stood in the corner. Carlos felt proud of his quick work.
Carlos placed his books on the shelves. The whole bookshelf wobbled from side to side. One shelf even started to lean.
He pushed on it gently to test it. It wobbled even more than before. Something was clearly not right.
He looked at the instructions again, more carefully. He saw he skipped an important step. He needed to take the shelf apart again.
He removed the loose top shelf. He found a missing support bar in the box. He added the bar in the right place.
The bookshelf felt much sturdier now. Carlos put his books back carefully. This time, the shelf did not wobble.
He smiled and stepped back to look. His bookshelf finally stood straight and strong. Carlos always reads every single step now.
