Click any sentence to jump to that moment
Tap an underlined word to see what it means.
Mia was very happy. She was walking on a mountain with her friends. The was long and the sun was hot. After two hours, Mia was very tired and very hungry. She saw a small food stand at a rest point on the . There was a big next to the stand. The had pictures of food on it. One picture showed a big, round burger. The burger in the picture was tall and beautiful. It had a thick piece of meat, fresh green , and a bright red tomato. The bread was soft and golden. Mia looked at the picture for a long time. "That looks amazing," she said to her friend. "I want that burger!" Her friend looked at the picture too. "Yes, it looks really good," her friend said. Mia smiled and walked to the stand. Mia stood at the food stand. A man was working there. "Hello," Mia said. "Can I have one burger, please?" The man and took her money.
Mia waited for a few minutes. She was excited. She thought about the big, beautiful burger in the picture. The man came back. He put a small box on the table in front of Mia. Mia opened the box slowly. She looked inside. The burger was very small. The bread was and a little brown. The meat was and gray. There was no . There was no tomato. Mia picked up the burger and looked at it. She looked at the . She looked at the burger again. "This is not the same," she said quietly. Her friend walked over and looked at the burger. Her friend tried not to laugh. "It is a little different," her friend said. Mia put the burger down on the table.
She felt a little sad. But then she thought about it. She was very hungry. She picked up the burger and took a big . It was not beautiful, but it was warm and it tasted good. Mia smiled a little. "It is okay," she said. "I am very hungry!" Her friend laughed. "You are right," her friend said. "Food always tastes better on a mountain." Mia ate all of the burger. She drank some cold water too. After she ate, she felt much better. She looked at the again. She shook her head and laughed this time. "The picture is very different from the real thing," she said. Her friend agreed. "Next time, do not look at the picture," her friend said with a smile. Mia laughed. "Good !" she said. Then they both picked up their bags and walked back onto the feeling full and happy.
a path through nature, often used for walking or hiking
"Mia walked along the mountain trail with her friends."
a board or notice that shows information or pictures
"There was a big sign with food pictures next to the stand."
a green vegetable with large flat leaves, often used in salads or burgers
"The burger in the picture had fresh green lettuce on it."
smooth and level, not thick or raised
"The bread was flat and a little brown."
not thick; having little depth or width
"The meat in the real burger was thin and gray."
the act of cutting into food with your teeth; a mouthful of food
"Mia picked up the burger and took a big bite."
a suggestion about what someone should do
"Her friend gave her good advice about the food pictures."
moved the head up and down to say yes or show agreement
"The man nodded and took her money."
look at
to direct your eyes towards something
"Mia looked at the picture for a long time."
wait for
to stay in a place until something happens
"Mia waited for a few minutes at the food stand."
pick up
to lift something from a surface using your hand
"Mia picked up the burger and looked at it carefully."
try not to
to make an effort to stop yourself from doing something
"Her friend tried not to laugh at the small burger."
think about
to use your mind to consider something
"Mia thought about the big, beautiful burger in the picture."
feel better
to be in a more comfortable or happier state than before
"After she ate, Mia felt much better."
shake your head
to move your head from side to side to show surprise or disagreement
"Mia shook her head when she looked at the sign again."
next time
on the occasion that happens after this one
""Next time, do not look at the picture," her friend said."
Finished the A2 version? Challenge yourself with the B1 intermediate story.
One short story every morning at your level, with audio, key words and a quiz. Free. Unsubscribe any time.