Free Daily English · Level A2 (Elementary) · Topic: a kind gesture that gets misunderstood

Mikael and the Empty Seat

Name: ______________________ Date: ____________

Mikael got on the bus after work. He was very tired. The bus was full of people. He looked around for a seat. He saw an empty seat near the back. He walked to it slowly. Next to the empty seat sat an old woman. She had a big bag on her lap. She also had a smaller bag on the seat next to her. Mikael smiled at her. He pointed to the empty seat. "Excuse me," he said. "Can I sit here?" The woman looked at him. She did not smile back. She moved her bag slowly. Mikael sat down and said "Thank you" quietly.

He felt happy to have a seat. The bus moved through the streets. Mikael noticed the woman looked upset. She held her bags tightly. She moved a little away from him. Mikael felt confused. He did not understand why she was upset. He only wanted a seat to rest. A young man stood near them. He watched Mikael and the old woman. Then the young man spoke. "She was saving that seat," he said. "Her friend is getting on at the next stop." Mikael's face went red. He felt very embarrassed. Mikael stood up right away. "I'm so sorry," he said to the woman.

"I didn't know." The woman's face changed. She looked surprised. Then she smiled a little. "It's okay," she said softly. "You didn't know." The bus stopped. An older man got on. He saw Mikael standing. He saw the woman smiling. He sat down next to her. Mikael held the handrail and stood for the rest of the journey. He felt a little silly. But he also felt good. He had done the right thing in the end. Sometimes a kind action can look wrong at first. But saying sorry quickly always helps.

Key vocabulary

gesture (noun)	something you do to show a feeling or intention, often with your body or actions“Giving up his seat was a kind gesture from Mikael.”
embarrassed (adjective)	feeling uncomfortable or ashamed because of something you did“Mikael felt embarrassed when he understood his mistake.”
confused (adjective)	not able to understand something clearly“Mikael was confused because the woman looked upset.”
upset (adjective)	feeling unhappy or worried about something“The old woman looked upset when Mikael sat down.”
saving (verb (present participle))	keeping something for someone else to use later“She was saving the seat for her friend.”
tightly (adverb)	in a firm or strong way, holding something hard“She held her bags tightly because she was worried.”
handrail (noun)	a bar you hold to keep your balance, for example on a bus or stairs“Mikael held the handrail while standing on the moving bus.”
journey (noun)	a trip from one place to another“Mikael stood for the rest of the journey on the bus.”

Useful phrases

looked around — turned your eyes in different directions to see what is there“Mikael looked around the bus for an empty seat.”
right away — immediately, without waiting“When he understood his mistake, Mikael stood up right away.”
went red — the face became red because of embarrassment or shame“Mikael's face went red when he heard what the young man said.”
in the end — finally, after everything that happened“In the end, Mikael did the right thing by saying sorry.”
I didn't know — used to explain that you had no information about something“"I'm so sorry, I didn't know," said Mikael to the woman.”
at first — in the beginning, before things changed“At first, the woman looked very upset with Mikael.”
moved away from — shifted your body to create distance from someone or something“The woman moved a little away from Mikael on the seat.”
Can I sit here? — a polite way to ask permission to take a seat“Mikael pointed to the seat and asked, "Can I sit here?"”

Word search

Find all 8 key words from the story. They can read forwards, backwards, up, down or diagonally.

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K	L	M
1	Q	Q	C	G	D	Y	B	F	U	P	S	E	T
2	H	T	E	R	U	T	S	E	G	F	B	P	O
3	T	E	M	B	A	R	R	A	S	S	E	D	X
4	T	I	V	C	O	N	F	U	S	E	D	S	N
5	G	E	G	O	D	M	D	G	W	T	N	F	W
6	L	L	R	H	W	J	N	L	P	G	D	P	R
7	S	V	I	W	T	I	M	V	I	V	K	A	C
8	F	K	X	A	V	L	P	L	Q	N	H	O	K
9	P	J	K	A	R	L	Y	E	N	R	U	O	J
10	S	O	S	T	Y	D	D	Z	U	M	Y	Z	Y
11	Q	V	J	U	M	A	N	P	X	D	I	R	J
12	Z	Y	M	P	I	W	H	A	Y	T	A	A	U
13	D	E	A	P	Q	X	P	Y	H	X	N	F	W

Comprehension quiz

Why did Mikael get on the bus?
- A) He was going to work.
- B) He was coming home after work.
- C) He wanted to meet a friend.
- D) He missed the last bus.
Where was the empty seat on the bus?
- A) Near the front.
- B) Next to the driver.
- C) Near the back.
- D) By the door.
Why was the seat next to the woman not empty?
- A) It was broken.
- B) A sign said it was reserved.
- C) A child was sitting there.
- D) Her bag was on it.
What does 'embarrassed' mean in the story?
- A) Feeling uncomfortable because of a mistake.
- B) Feeling tired after a long day.
- C) Feeling angry at someone.
- D) Feeling happy and proud.
Who told Mikael that the seat was being saved?
- A) A young man standing nearby.
- B) The old woman.
- C) The bus driver.
- D) The woman's friend.
What did Mikael do when he understood his mistake?
- A) He got off the bus.
- B) He stood up and said sorry.
- C) He stayed seated and said nothing.
- D) He argued with the young man.
How did the woman react when Mikael apologized?
- A) She stayed angry.
- B) She ignored him completely.
- C) She smiled a little and said it was okay.
- D) She asked him to sit back down.
What does the phrase 'right away' mean?
- A) On the right side.
- B) In the wrong direction.
- C) After a long time.
- D) Immediately, without waiting.
Mikael stood for the rest of the journey after giving up the seat. True or False?
- A) Not mentioned
- B) Not stated
- C) True
- D) False
What is the main lesson of the story?
- A) Never sit on a bus if it is full.
- B) A kind action can look wrong at first, but saying sorry helps.
- C) Always check that a seat is free before sitting.
- D) Old people should always have two seats on a bus.

Answer key (A2 (Elementary))

1. B 2. C 3. D 4. A 5. A 6. B 7. C 8. D 9. C 10. B

Word search answer key (A2 (Elementary))

Columns are lettered from the left, rows numbered from the top. The arrow shows the reading direction from the word's first letter.

confused: D4 → · embarrassed: B3 → · gesture: I2 ← · handrail: I13 ↖ · journey: M9 ← · saving: C10 ↗ · tightly: A3 ↘ · upset: I1 →

Free Daily English · Level B1 (Intermediate) · Topic: a kind gesture that gets misunderstood

The Seat Mikael Shouldn't Have Taken

Name: ______________________ Date: ____________

Mikael boarded the crowded bus after a long and draining shift, desperate for somewhere to rest his feet. Scanning the rows of occupied seats, he spotted what appeared to be an empty place beside an elderly woman near the back. A bag rested on the seat, but assuming it had simply been placed there for convenience, he politely caught the woman's eye and gestured towards the spot. "Excuse me, do you mind if I sit here?" he asked with a friendly smile. Without a word, the woman shifted her bag onto her lap, her expression tight and unreadable. Mikael thanked her and settled into the seat, grateful for the chance to rest. Almost immediately, he sensed that something was wrong.

The woman sat rigidly beside him, clutching her bags close to her chest and angling her body away as though she wanted to disappear into the window. Mikael searched his mind for what he might have done to cause offense, but nothing came to him. A young man standing in the aisle had been watching the scene unfold, and he leaned forward quietly. "She was keeping that seat for someone," he murmured. "Her friend boards at the next stop." A wave of heat rose to Mikael's face as the situation became horribly clear. Without hesitation, Mikael got to his feet and turned to the woman. "I'm truly sorry," he said.

"I had no idea the seat was taken. Please forgive me." The woman studied him for a moment, her rigid posture softening as she registered the genuine regret on his face. "You weren't to know," she said quietly, offering him a small but warm smile. The bus pulled up at the next stop, and an older man stepped on, immediately brightening when he saw the woman. Mikael stepped aside, gripping the overhead rail as the two friends settled in together. Though he rode the rest of the way standing, Mikael felt lighter than he had in hours, having learned that a sincere apology can undo almost any misunderstanding.

Key vocabulary

draining (adjective)	making you feel very tired and without energy“After a draining shift, Mikael just wanted to sit down and rest.”
rigidly (adverb)	in a stiff and tense way, without relaxing“The woman sat rigidly beside him, clearly uncomfortable.”
offense (noun)	a feeling of hurt or upset caused by someone's behavior“Mikael could not understand what he had done to cause offense.”
murmured (verb (past simple))	said something in a low, soft voice“"She was keeping that seat for someone," the young man murmured.”
hesitation (noun)	a pause before doing something, often because of uncertainty“Without hesitation, Mikael stood up and apologized.”
genuine (adjective)	truly felt or meant, not pretended“The woman could see the genuine regret on Mikael's face.”
posture (noun)	the position of someone's body when sitting or standing“Her rigid posture softened once she heard his apology.”
sincere (adjective)	honest and genuinely meant“A sincere apology made everything right between them.”

Useful phrases

do you mind if — a polite way of asking for permission to do something“"Do you mind if I sit here?" Mikael asked the woman politely.”
cause offense — to say or do something that upsets or hurts someone“Mikael had no intention of causing offense when he took the seat.”
a wave of heat — a sudden feeling of warmth in the face, usually from embarrassment“A wave of heat rose to Mikael's face when he realized his mistake.”
had no idea — did not know about something at all“"I had no idea the seat was taken," Mikael said apologetically.”
you weren't to know — used to tell someone they cannot be blamed for not knowing something“"You weren't to know," said the woman, forgiving Mikael.”
stepped aside — moved out of the way to make room for someone“Mikael stepped aside so the woman's friend could sit down.”
unfold — to develop or happen gradually“The young man watched the awkward scene unfold in silence.”
felt lighter — felt less burdened or worried, often after doing something right“After apologizing, Mikael felt lighter for the rest of the journey.”

Word search

Find all 8 key words from the story. They can read forwards, backwards, up, down or diagonally.

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K	L
1	M	B	H	K	I	E	X	G	W	N	Q	D
2	U	Z	E	V	L	D	N	W	R	R	Q	S
3	R	Z	S	J	E	I	T	T	I	X	P	I
4	M	S	I	W	N	T	P	G	Y	G	O	N
5	U	X	T	I	O	E	I	Y	T	G	S	C
6	R	F	A	K	O	D	N	E	G	U	T	E
7	E	R	T	Q	L	B	I	I	J	V	U	R
8	D	F	I	Y	L	U	A	B	U	C	R	E
9	P	Y	O	M	Z	R	U	B	Y	N	E	R
10	Z	U	N	P	V	D	A	J	L	Q	E	Y
11	I	L	X	L	F	F	H	N	T	U	F	G
12	E	S	N	E	F	F	O	Z	F	I	P	H

Comprehension quiz

Why was Mikael so eager to find a seat on the bus?
- A) He had an injury to his leg.
- B) He was feeling unwell.
- C) He had just finished a long and tiring shift.
- D) He was carrying very heavy bags.
What did Mikael assume about the bag on the seat?
- A) That it belonged to the bus company.
- B) That it had been forgotten by another passenger.
- C) That it had been placed there for convenience, not to save the seat.
- D) That the woman wanted to sell it.
What does 'rigidly' mean as used in the story?
- A) In a relaxed and comfortable way.
- B) In an angry and loud way.
- C) In a slow and careful way.
- D) In a stiff and tense way.
How did Mikael find out the seat was being saved?
- A) The woman told him directly.
- B) The bus driver made an announcement.
- C) He saw a note on the seat.
- D) A young man standing in the aisle told him.
What does the phrase 'cause offense' mean?
- A) To start an argument on purpose.
- B) To say or do something that upsets someone.
- C) To take something that belongs to another person.
- D) To break a rule in a public place.
How did the woman respond to Mikael's apology?
- A) She accepted it and gave him a small, warm smile.
- B) She ignored him and looked away.
- C) She asked him to stay seated.
- D) She told the young man to mind his own business.
The woman's friend who boarded the bus was a younger woman. True or False?
- A) True
- B) False
- C) Not stated
- D) Not mentioned
What does 'without hesitation' tell us about Mikael's character?
- A) That he was too tired to think clearly.
- B) That he was unsure about whether to apologize.
- C) That he had practiced apologizing many times before.
- D) That he acted quickly and decisively when he knew he was wrong.
What is the meaning of 'genuine' as used in the story?
- A) Truly felt or meant, not pretended.
- B) Very loud and noticeable.
- C) Polite but formal.
- D) Surprising and unexpected.
What does the ending of the story suggest about apologies?
- A) They work better when someone else speaks for you.
- B) A sincere apology can resolve almost any misunderstanding.
- C) They should always be made in writing.
- D) They are only useful if you know the other person well.

Answer key (B1 (Intermediate))

1. C 2. C 3. D 4. D 5. B 6. A 7. D 8. D 9. A 10. B

Word search answer key (B1 (Intermediate))

Columns are lettered from the left, rows numbered from the top. The arrow shows the reading direction from the word's first letter.

draining: A8 ↗ · genuine: L11 ↖ · hesitation: C1 ↓ · murmured: A1 ↓ · offense: G12 ← · posture: K3 ↓ · rigidly: J2 ↙ · sincere: L2 ↓

Free Daily English · www.freedailyenglish.com/stories/mikael-and-the-empty-seat-2026-07-01

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K	L	M
1	Q	Q	C	G	D	Y	B	F	U	P	S	E	T
2	H	T	E	R	U	T	S	E	G	F	B	P	O
3	T	E	M	B	A	R	R	A	S	S	E	D	X
4	T	I	V	C	O	N	F	U	S	E	D	S	N
5	G	E	G	O	D	M	D	G	W	T	N	F	W
6	L	L	R	H	W	J	N	L	P	G	D	P	R
7	S	V	I	W	T	I	M	V	I	V	K	A	C
8	F	K	X	A	V	L	P	L	Q	N	H	O	K
9	P	J	K	A	R	L	Y	E	N	R	U	O	J
10	S	O	S	T	Y	D	D	Z	U	M	Y	Z	Y
11	Q	V	J	U	M	A	N	P	X	D	I	R	J
12	Z	Y	M	P	I	W	H	A	Y	T	A	A	U
13	D	E	A	P	Q	X	P	Y	H	X	N	F	W

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K	L
1	M	B	H	K	I	E	X	G	W	N	Q	D
2	U	Z	E	V	L	D	N	W	R	R	Q	S
3	R	Z	S	J	E	I	T	T	I	X	P	I
4	M	S	I	W	N	T	P	G	Y	G	O	N
5	U	X	T	I	O	E	I	Y	T	G	S	C
6	R	F	A	K	O	D	N	E	G	U	T	E
7	E	R	T	Q	L	B	I	I	J	V	U	R
8	D	F	I	Y	L	U	A	B	U	C	R	E
9	P	Y	O	M	Z	R	U	B	Y	N	E	R
10	Z	U	N	P	V	D	A	J	L	Q	E	Y
11	I	L	X	L	F	F	H	N	T	U	F	G
12	E	S	N	E	F	F	O	Z	F	I	P	H

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K	L	M
1	Q	Q	C	G	D	Y	B	F	U	P	S	E	T
2	H	T	E	R	U	T	S	E	G	F	B	P	O
3	T	E	M	B	A	R	R	A	S	S	E	D	X
4	T	I	V	C	O	N	F	U	S	E	D	S	N
5	G	E	G	O	D	M	D	G	W	T	N	F	W
6	L	L	R	H	W	J	N	L	P	G	D	P	R
7	S	V	I	W	T	I	M	V	I	V	K	A	C
8	F	K	X	A	V	L	P	L	Q	N	H	O	K
9	P	J	K	A	R	L	Y	E	N	R	U	O	J
10	S	O	S	T	Y	D	D	Z	U	M	Y	Z	Y
11	Q	V	J	U	M	A	N	P	X	D	I	R	J
12	Z	Y	M	P	I	W	H	A	Y	T	A	A	U
13	D	E	A	P	Q	X	P	Y	H	X	N	F	W

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K	L
1	M	B	H	K	I	E	X	G	W	N	Q	D
2	U	Z	E	V	L	D	N	W	R	R	Q	S
3	R	Z	S	J	E	I	T	T	I	X	P	I
4	M	S	I	W	N	T	P	G	Y	G	O	N
5	U	X	T	I	O	E	I	Y	T	G	S	C
6	R	F	A	K	O	D	N	E	G	U	T	E
7	E	R	T	Q	L	B	I	I	J	V	U	R
8	D	F	I	Y	L	U	A	B	U	C	R	E
9	P	Y	O	M	Z	R	U	B	Y	N	E	R
10	Z	U	N	P	V	D	A	J	L	Q	E	Y
11	I	L	X	L	F	F	H	N	T	U	F	G
12	E	S	N	E	F	F	O	Z	F	I	P	H

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K	L	M
1	Q	Q	C	G	D	Y	B	F	U	P	S	E	T
2	H	T	E	R	U	T	S	E	G	F	B	P	O
3	T	E	M	B	A	R	R	A	S	S	E	D	X
4	T	I	V	C	O	N	F	U	S	E	D	S	N
5	G	E	G	O	D	M	D	G	W	T	N	F	W
6	L	L	R	H	W	J	N	L	P	G	D	P	R
7	S	V	I	W	T	I	M	V	I	V	K	A	C
8	F	K	X	A	V	L	P	L	Q	N	H	O	K
9	P	J	K	A	R	L	Y	E	N	R	U	O	J
10	S	O	S	T	Y	D	D	Z	U	M	Y	Z	Y
11	Q	V	J	U	M	A	N	P	X	D	I	R	J
12	Z	Y	M	P	I	W	H	A	Y	T	A	A	U
13	D	E	A	P	Q	X	P	Y	H	X	N	F	W

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K	L
1	M	B	H	K	I	E	X	G	W	N	Q	D
2	U	Z	E	V	L	D	N	W	R	R	Q	S
3	R	Z	S	J	E	I	T	T	I	X	P	I
4	M	S	I	W	N	T	P	G	Y	G	O	N
5	U	X	T	I	O	E	I	Y	T	G	S	C
6	R	F	A	K	O	D	N	E	G	U	T	E
7	E	R	T	Q	L	B	I	I	J	V	U	R
8	D	F	I	Y	L	U	A	B	U	C	R	E
9	P	Y	O	M	Z	R	U	B	Y	N	E	R
10	Z	U	N	P	V	D	A	J	L	Q	E	Y
11	I	L	X	L	F	F	H	N	T	U	F	G
12	E	S	N	E	F	F	O	Z	F	I	P	H