The Bike Trail That Forked
A free A1-level English story for language learners, readable online in English, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Vinh knows the forest bike trail by heart, and he guides a lost stranger back to the main road after a wrong turn at the fork.
Vinh rode the forest trail every weekend. He knew every turn and every hill. The trail split into two paths near the lake.
One Saturday, Vinh pedaled toward the fork. He heard a voice calling from the left path.
"Hello? Can anyone hear me?" the voice called.
Vinh rode closer and found a man. The man stood next to a fallen bike. His name was Torsten, and he looked confused.
"I took the wrong path an hour ago," Torsten said. "Now I do not know where I am."
"This path leads deep into the woods," Vinh said. "The main road sits back through the other fork."
Torsten sighed and picked up his bike. "Do you know the way back?" he asked.
"I ride here every weekend," Vinh said. "Follow me. I know the way back."
Torsten nodded and climbed back on his bike. The two of them rode side by side.
Vinh pointed out landmarks along the path. "That big rock marks the halfway point," he said. "After the rock, the trail turns right."
They reached the main road within minutes. Torsten smiled and shook Vinh's hand firmly.
"Thank you very much," Torsten said. "You saved my ride."
"Anytime," Vinh said with a grin. He waved and turned back toward the fork. He still had his own ride to finish.
