OUR BEST SHORT STORIES IN ENGLISH
Hello and welcome!
Do you remember the first short story you ever read in your life? What was it like? Did you like it?
As for me, I cannot pinpoint a particular short story. All I remember is that my late mother used to bring us Greek mythology stories.
In fact, she worked as a secretary at the Polytechnic College in Malawi. Therefore, she had access to the university’s library, so she would get books for us every Friday.
I am forever grateful to her because she introduced me to one of my passions, which is reading and writing stories!
Later on, I would read my first novel “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë at the age of 9. It was such a wonderful and enriching experience.
It was not rare for me to spend days cooped up in my bedroom, exploring other worlds and, unknowingly, improving my level of English at the same time.
I published my first short story in a local newspaper when I was 12. I knew right then that I would choose a writing career when I grew up.
So far, I have self-published 7 books, one of which is a novel.
On top of that, I have also written several short stories in beginner, intermediate and advanced levels on this website.
Today, you will discover some of our most read short stories.
Beginner Short Stories: Level A1-A2
Below our best short stories in English written for beginners:
The Most Beautiful Garden: (Free)
Once upon a time, there was a rich family that lacked nothing except happiness. One day, a member of the family decided to do something about their situation.
The Old Witch and the Wish: (For Subscribers)
Charles always meets an old woman on his way to school. She is very friendly to him but rumour has it that she is a witch! However, the old lady has a wish.
When Lions Come to Town: (For Subscribers)
This is a beginner short story about a courageous boy who learns to fight in a clever way with the help of his grandfather.
A Party in the Savannah: (For Subscribers)
Things can really get wild in the savannah. What happens when the animals decide to have fun? Who is invited? Who is left out? What type of food do they eat? What do they drink? Read this surprising short story to find out!
Dreams Can’t Be Too Big: (For Subscribers)
We all have dreams and goals. They can be big or small; they can be achievable or not. What a pleasure it is when our dreams come true! This is a story about a boy who has such dreams. Will he be able to achieve them? Read on to find out!
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Listen to one of our best short stories in English: Mangoes for Lydia
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Intermediate Short Stories: Level A2-B1
Below our best short stories in English meant for intermediate learners:
A Job for Joe: (For Subscribers)
This is a heart-warming short story about a young man who has just received an employment offer. Nothing can ruin his happiness or almost…
The Last Piece of Chicken: (For Subscribers)
This is a funny short story about a boy who wants to get the last piece of chicken in the plate. He has a plan. Will it work? Read on to find out!
Things: (For Subscribers)
Tawonga is a twelve-year old girl who wants to become a journalist in the future. One day, four visitors from England make their way into her village. They have a surprise. ‘Things’ is an intermediate to advanced level short story about objects and their roles in our lives.
Nice to Meet You Father Christmas: (For Subscribers)
Luso and his friends want to write a letter to Father Christmas, the richest man in the world. They want to ask him for presents. They have never done this before. Will their letter reach the North Pole? Will they get their presents? Read this quirky intermediate short story to find out.
Beyond: (For Subscribers)
Two people meet at the airport after a long, long time. Circumstances have brought them together for a common goal. Read this short story and follow this moving encounter while learning ‘Airport Vocabulary’ at the same time.
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Listen to one of our best short stories in English: The Will
Advanced Short Stories: Level B1-B2
Below our best short stories in English which advanced students will surely love:
The Perfect Present: (For Subscribers)
Have you ever bought somebody a present and they destroyed it right in front of your eyes? Read this surprising short story and learn more about the Present Perfect.
The Language of the Heart: (For Subscribers)
Sarah is a torn young woman who is getting to know the voice that resides within her heart. Learn vocabulary for self-talk and self-expression with this powerful motivational short story.
Unconditional Love: (For Subscribers)
A deeply moving story about a mother’s ‘unconditional love’ for her children. The story is set in a once-thriving village that is slowly losing its sons.
The Departure Lounge: (For Subscribers)
Airports are busy places. Airport patrons are busier. Grace is a quiet and timid 23-year-old student on her way back to Paris. She doesn’t like travelling. A hot afternoon, a surly guard, a chance encounter and a dose of courage. What does it take for a young woman to change in an irrevocable way?
Welcome to Migodi, the City of Hope: (For Subscribers)
This is an inspirational story about the rebirth of a city that was once in decline. What brought about this incredible change? Who is responsible for this transformation?
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Further Exploration: Our Best Short Stories in English
Read:
- English Short Story: The Will, with Modals or Modal Verbs, Level B1-B2, Learn English With Africa, February 2021
- English Grammar (Lesson 2): Very Short Stories with the Past Perfect Continuous Tense (Level A2-B1)
- English Short Story, The Astronaut from Bolero, with Great Vocabulary for Talking About Space, Level A1-A2
Listen:
Shop:
Watch: Learning Other Languages (How I Reached C2 Level in French). This video is in English and French.
In this video, I demonstrate how I was able to reach the C2 level in French. I worked hard but I also worked smart. Do you want to know how I did it? Watch to hear my story.
Shop:
About the Author
Thandi Ngwira Gatignol is the founder of Learn English With Africa. She was born on June 11th, 1981 in Blantyre, Malawi. When she was 19, she left her country of birth for France. She currently lives with her two daughters and husband in Poland.
Thandi holds a Bachelor’s degree in English studies obtained at the Université Paris X Nanterre in France and a Certificate in Journalism from Malawi. She has taught English as a French Ministry of Education certified teacher both in France and in Poland. She speaks six languages fluently, including French, Polish and Italian. She is now learning Kiswahili, German and Spanish. Salt No More is her debut novel and you can find her other books here on the website or on Amazon.
Course Title: A Selection of Our Best Short Stories in English: Level A1-A2-B1-B2 © Learn English With Africa, November 2021
