Anna moved into her new apartment last month. She loved everything about it, except for one thing. Her neighbor in apartment 7B was very strange. The man never said hello to anyone in the building. He always wore a long black coat, even in summer. Anna noticed that he only left his apartment at night. One evening, she heard strange noises from his apartment. It sounded like someone was digging. Anna told her friend Maria about the mysterious neighbor. 'Maybe he is a vampire,' Maria joked. Anna did not laugh because she was truly worried. The next day, she decided to watch his door. She sat in the hallway and pretended to read a book. After two hours, the door finally opened. The man walked out carrying a large black bag. Anna quickly followed him down the stairs. He went outside and walked toward the park. It was already dark, and Anna felt scared. But her curiosity was stronger than her fear. The man stopped near an old oak tree. He looked around to make sure nobody was watching. Then he started to dig a hole in the ground. Anna hid behind a bush and watched carefully. Her heart was beating very fast. The man put the black bag into the hole. He covered it with dirt and leaves. Then he walked away quickly without looking back. Anna waited until he was gone. She ran to the oak tree and started digging. Inside the bag, she found something unexpected. It was not a body or stolen money. It was a collection of old photographs. The pictures showed a woman and two children. On the back of one photo was written 'My family, 1985'. Anna suddenly understood everything. The man was not dangerous. He was just very sad. The next morning, Anna knocked on his door. The man opened it and looked surprised. 'I am your neighbor from 7A,' she said kindly. 'I found your photographs in the park.' The man's eyes filled with tears. 'My wife and children died in an accident many years ago,' he explained. 'I bury these memories because it hurts too much to keep them at home.' Anna gave him a gentle hug and said, 'You are not alone anymore.'
English Story (A2)The Mysterious Neighbor
This A2 English story is designed for elementarys learning English. It includes simple vocabulary and short sentences to help you improve your reading and listening skills. Click any word to see translations and hear pronunciation.
About this story
Anna is suspicious of her mysterious neighbor who only goes out at night. She follows him to a park where he buries a bag, but discovers it contains old family photographs. The story reveals he is grieving his lost family, and Anna offers him friendship.
Translations in English
Linked wordUnderlined wordOther words
Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
What was strange about the neighbor's behavior?
2
What did Anna do to watch the neighbor?
3
What did Anna find inside the black bag?
4
Why did the neighbor bury the photographs in the park?
Vocabulary
30 words from this story
