The First Paycheck
A free A2-level English story for language learners, readable online in 5 languages, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
With his first paycheck from a weekend café job, Arash has to choose between new headphones and a dinner for his parents.
That was the preview! Hear the full story in the free Storyteller app. Get the app
Audio isn't available right now.
Arash worked at a small café every weekend for four weeks. On Friday, his boss gave him an envelope. It was his first paycheck. Inside was $140. He counted it twice.
He walked home slowly and thought about it. The café was busy, and his feet hurt every night.
First, he wanted new headphones. His old ones only worked on the left side. He saw a good pair in a shop window for $130. They were on sale this week.
Second, he wanted to take his parents to dinner. They always paid for everything. They paid for his phone, his bus card and his school books. His father worked late three nights a week. His mother walked to work to save money.
A dinner for three at the little restaurant cost about $110. It had red lamps on every table. He could not buy both things.
At home, he put the money on his desk. He looked at it for ten minutes.
"The headphones will not go away," he said to himself. "But Dad is tired. And this is my first paycheck."
On Saturday, he called the restaurant. He asked for a table for three at seven.
At the end of the dinner, the waiter brought the bill. Arash's father reached for it.
"Not tonight, Dad," Arash said, and he opened his envelope.
