Maria stood in the doorway of her daughter's bedroom. The room looked strange without all of Emma's belongings. Yesterday, they had driven Emma to the university, three hours away. Emma was their youngest child and the last one to leave home. Maria's husband, David, came up behind her. 'It feels so quiet in the house now,' he said softly. Maria nodded, unable to speak. For twenty-five years, their lives had revolved around their children. Now, for the first time, they were truly alone. The first week was the hardest. Maria kept cooking too much food, forgetting that Emma was not there. David found himself standing by the window at the time Emma usually came home from school. They both missed the sound of music coming from her room. One evening, Maria sat at the kitchen table, crying quietly. 'I feel like I have lost my purpose,' she admitted to David. 'Being a mother was everything to me.' David took her hand gently. 'You are still a mother,' he said. 'But maybe now you can also be Maria again.' His words made her think. Who was Maria before she became a mother? She had loved painting, but she had not touched a brush in years. She used to write poetry, but there was never enough time. The next morning, Maria went to the art supply store. She bought paints, brushes, and canvases. She set up a small studio in Emma's old room. At first, it felt strange to be in that space. But slowly, Maria began to paint again. She painted the sunrise she saw from her window. She painted memories of her children when they were small. She painted her dreams for the future. David was also struggling with the change. He had worked long hours for years to support his family. Now he wondered what it had all been for. His children had grown up so fast. He felt like he had missed too many important moments. One Saturday, David did not go to the office as usual. Instead, he asked Maria to go for a walk with him. They walked through the park where they used to take their children. 'Do you remember when Thomas fell off the swing?' David asked. Maria laughed at the memory. 'He cried for five minutes, then asked for ice cream.' They sat on a bench and watched the children playing. 'I have been thinking,' David said slowly. 'I want to reduce my hours at work.' Maria looked at him in surprise. 'Really? But you love your job.' 'I love you more,' he replied. 'We spent twenty-five years raising our children.' 'Now I want to spend time getting to know you again.' Maria felt tears in her eyes. They had been married for thirty years, but this felt like a new beginning. In the following months, they discovered many things together. They took a cooking class and learned to make Italian food. They joined a book club and discussed stories every week. They started going on long weekend trips to places they had never visited. Maria showed David her paintings, something she had always been too shy to do. He was amazed by her talent. 'Why did you never tell me you were this good?' he asked. Maria smiled shyly. 'There was always something more important to do.' Emma called every Sunday evening. She told them about her classes, her new friends, and her dormitory life. Maria and David listened carefully to every word. They were proud that their daughter was becoming an independent young woman. At Christmas, all three children came home. The house was full of noise and laughter again. Thomas brought his girlfriend to meet the family. Sophie announced that she was expecting a baby. Maria cried with joy at the news. She was going to be a grandmother. Emma noticed something different about her parents. 'You two seem happier than I have ever seen you,' she said. Maria and David looked at each other and smiled. 'We have been rediscovering each other,' Maria explained. 'The empty nest gave us a gift we did not expect.' After the holidays, the children left again. But this time, the house did not feel empty. It was filled with Maria's paintings and their shared memories. It was filled with plans for the future. One evening, Maria sat in her studio, finishing a new painting. It showed two birds in a nest, looking out at the world. David came in with two cups of tea. 'That is beautiful,' he said, looking at the painting. 'Is it us?' Maria nodded and smiled. 'The nest is not really empty,' she said. 'We are still here, and we are still together.' David sat down beside her and took her hand. 'I am glad we have this time together,' he said. 'The best years might still be ahead of us.' Maria leaned her head on his shoulder. Outside the window, the sun was setting, painting the sky in beautiful colors. It was the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. And they were ready to write it together.
English Story (B1)The Empty Nest
This B1 English story is designed for intermediates 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
When their youngest daughter Emma leaves for university, Maria and David face the empty nest. After years of focusing on their children, they rediscover themselves and each other. Maria returns to painting, David reduces his work hours, and together they build a new chapter in their marriage.
Translations in English
Linked wordUnderlined wordOther words
Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
Where did Emma go that made Maria and David feel alone?
2
What hobby did Maria rediscover after Emma left?
3
What important decision did David make about his work?
4
What exciting news did Sophie share at Christmas?
Vocabulary
39 words from this story
