Sarah arrived in a small Portuguese town on a sunny morning. She had planned this trip for many months. The bus stopped in the main square, and she stepped out with her backpack. An elderly man was sitting on a bench near a fountain. He smiled and waved at her. 'Welcome to our town,' he said in slow English. Sarah thanked him and asked where she could find a good café. The man stood up and offered to show her the way. His name was Manuel, and he had lived here his whole life. They walked through narrow streets with colorful houses. Manuel pointed at different buildings and told stories about them. 'My grandfather built that house,' he said proudly. They arrived at a small café with tables outside. The owner, Rosa, greeted Manuel like an old friend. She brought them coffee and fresh pastries without asking. Sarah tried the local pastry and found it delicious. Rosa sat down with them and asked Sarah about her travels. Sarah explained that she wanted to learn about local life. Rosa's eyes lit up with excitement. 'Then you must come to our market tomorrow,' she said. The next morning, Sarah woke up early. She walked to the market square before the sun was fully up. Farmers were setting up their stands with fresh vegetables. Fishermen had brought fish from the coast. Rosa was already there, selling homemade bread. She introduced Sarah to her daughter, Maria. Maria was a teacher at the local school. She offered to take Sarah on a tour of the town. They visited the old church and the small museum. Maria explained the history of the town in simple words. For lunch, Manuel invited Sarah to his home. His wife, Lucia, had prepared a traditional meal. The food was simple but full of flavor. After lunch, Manuel showed Sarah his garden. He grew tomatoes, peppers, and herbs. 'This is how we live here,' he said. 'Close to the land.' In the evening, the whole neighborhood gathered in the square. Someone played guitar, and people started dancing. Sarah joined in, laughing as she learned the steps. When she left the town, she knew she had made real friends.
English Story (A2)Meeting the Locals
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
Sarah visits a small Portuguese town and meets friendly locals. She discovers their culture through shared meals, a local market, and an evening celebration.
Translations in English
Linked wordUnderlined wordOther words
Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
Where was Manuel sitting when Sarah arrived in town?
2
What did Rosa bring Sarah and Manuel at the café?
3
What was Maria's job in the town?
4
What did Manuel grow in his garden?
Vocabulary
30 words from this story
