Short Stories in English for Beginners

Chapter 3 – London
At Belfast airport, Walter bought food for the trip. What he really needed
was a rest. He was getting tired. Then he remembered. There was just one
more person to meet. Then his mission was complete!
Walter boarded his 
flight
. Shortly after, he arrived in London. As usual,
he got a taxi into the city. On the way, the taxi drove past the Tate Modern
art gallery. Walter could see how big the art museum was. He asked the
driver, ‘Have you ever been inside the Tate Modern?’
‘Yes. It’s nice, but the art is very strange. It’s very 
modern
. Too many
strange patterns and colours … I prefer traditional art.’
‘I do as well,’ said Walter. ‘I have always preferred traditional things.’
He looked out the window as the taxi drove on.
Finally, Walter arrived in the centre of London. He paid the driver and
got out. Then he looked around. There were so many things to see. But he
had to focus! His mission was almost complete.
Walter didn’t know exactly where the third person’s house was. He
stopped a man on the street and showed him the address. ‘Excuse me. How
do I get here?’ he asked.
‘Oh, I know that place,’ answered the man. ‘It’s next to the 
boat rental
shop.’ He showed Walter the way.
‘Thank you!’ Walter called and walked away.
Walter decided to walk. It was healthy to walk. Also, major events were
happening. It gave Walter time to 
consider
 things.
At last, Walter came to the boat rental shop. Next to it, there was a small
wooden house. I hope someone’s there this time! he thought. He
remembered Lucy in Belfast. He didn’t like to wait. He was impatient, too.
Walter rang the doorbell. A young man of about 30 opened it. He looked
a bit like Walter, but without the beard. ‘Hello!’ said the man. ‘What can I
do for you? Would you like to rent a boat? Maybe book a trip?’
‘Uh, no,’ Walter answered. ‘My name is Walter,’ he continued. ‘I want to
talk to you, sir.’

---

‘No need to call me sir! Please, call me Alan.’
‘OK, Alan. I’d like to talk to you, please.’
‘Certainly, Walter. Come in.’
Walter looked around. The house was very traditional and simple. Its
owner seemed traditional and simple, too. Alan wore simple clothes. He
had traditional 
tastes
. Everything was very clean and neat.
‘Well?’ Alan said. ‘You wanted to talk to me?’ Walter started speaking.
But then he noticed something. Alan was wearing a 
ring
. There was a
number on the ring. Walter began to laugh.
‘What is it?’ asked Alan with concern.
‘I thought I was going to have more difficulty!’
‘Excuse me?’ said Alan.
‘That ring of yours … Who gave it to you?’
‘It was a gift from years ago. Back when I was a boy. I don’t remember
who gave it to me. I think it used to be a necklace.’
Walter looked at the number. He had found all three numbers. His
mission was complete … almost. There were a few more things to do.
‘Alan,’ Walter began, ‘look at this.’ He showed Alan the photo of the
chest. ‘This chest has a lock. We need three individual numbers to open it.
And three separate people have those numbers. You are one of those
people.’
Alan looked at him strangely. Then he asked, ‘And what’s in the chest?’
‘I can’t tell you that right now.’
‘But why do I have one of the numbers?’
‘I can’t tell you that either,’ answered Walter. He didn’t want to say any
more. Not yet.
Walter gave Alan a letter and continued, ‘Please read this letter. The two
other people have identical letters. The letters tell you what to do. I have to
go now. Trust me, I’ll see you soon.’ Walter turned and left.
Alan was so surprised he didn’t know what to do. So he opened the letter.
It read:

---

Dear David, Lucy and Alan,
Thank you for reading my letter. As you know, I have helped you find a
number. There are two other people with numbers. These individual
numbers mean nothing. Together, these three numbers open a chest in
Scotland. The chest is at my home. I would like to invite you to come there.
Please meet me there in three days.
I have nothing else to write. I request that you do not try to contact me.
Soon you will know who I am. But today is not that day. Have a nice trip!
Regards,
Walter
Three days later, David, Lucy and Alan arrived in Edinburgh. They all
went to the same address as per the letter.
Lucy and Alan were the first to arrive. Then came David.
‘Hi,’ David said.
‘Hello,’ said Lucy and Alan.
All three people paused for a few seconds. At last David asked, ‘What
are we doing here?’
‘Have you read the letter?’ said Lucy excitedly.
‘Yes,’ the men answered.
‘But I have no idea what this is about,’ added David.
‘Well, let’s go in and find out,’ said Lucy. She rang the doorbell.
Walter opened the door. He was dressed nicely. After all, this was a very
special event. ‘Hello,’ he said calmly. Then he invited them in and said,
‘Thank you for coming.’
The house was neat and simple. It was very traditional. Walter offered
them tea, but no one wanted any. They were too excited. Finally, Walter
smiled and said, ‘Follow me.’
Walter brought Alan, Lucy and David to a room. In the centre, there was
the chest. They ran to the chest. They all had their numbers. They were
ready to open it.
David put in his number first. Then Lucy put in hers. Finally, it was
Alan’s turn. When he put in his number, the lock made a noise. Alan pushed

---

open the chest.
The chest was completely full of stuff. On the top of the things, there was
another letter. Alan laughed. ‘Ha! Another letter? I can’t believe it!’
‘Does anyone want to read it?’ said Lucy.
‘I’ll read it,’ said David
David took the letter from the chest. He read it out loud to the others:
Hello David, Lucy and Alan. Thank you so much for coming. I have
brought you here for a special purpose. You all know that you were