The Ring in the Sand
A free A2-level English story for language learners, readable online in 5 languages, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Gaspar loses his ring on a cold beach, and a stranger with a metal detector helps him search.
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The beach is cold and nearly empty. Gaspar walks along the water with his hands in his pockets. The wind is strong.
He takes one hand out to pick up a shell. The ring slips off his cold finger and drops into the sand. He cannot see it anywhere.
Gaspar kneels and pushes the sand with his hands. It is a plain silver ring from his wife. He looks for an hour. His knees are wet, and his fingers are red. He finds nothing.
A man with a long metal tool walks over. "Did you lose something?" he asks.
"My ring," says Gaspar. "I cannot find it."
"I have a machine for that," the man says. "My name is Rufus. Show me where you walked."
Gaspar shows him the place. Rufus moves the machine slowly over the sand. It beeps. They dig with their hands. It is a bottle cap.
The machine beeps again. This time they find a coin. Then they find another bottle cap. Then they find an old coin with a hole.
Rufus laughs. "This beach is full of treasure," he says. "Everyone loses something here."
Gaspar sits back on the sand. He thinks the ring is gone.
Then the machine gives a long, loud beep. Rufus stops. "This one is different," he says.
Gaspar digs in the wet sand. Something small shines in his fingers. It is the ring.
"Next time," says Rufus, "keep it in a warm pocket."
Gaspar pushes the ring back on his finger and closes his hand.
