Three Earth years had passed since Leo and the first team arrived on Oria. The planet was everything they had hoped for — green forests, clean rivers, and gentle weather. Life was simple but full of joy. People grew their own food, built homes from local materials, and lived without machines doing everything for them.
Leo had changed. He no longer wore a city uniform. He now wore clothes made from soft, natural fibres. His hands were strong from working the land, and his eyes were bright again. He felt alive.
Each evening, the team sent messages back to Earth. They told stories of birds singing, trees dancing in the wind, and children playing in the sunlight. Slowly, the people on Earth began to believe.
The Earth governments worked together to build more ships. Not just for 50 people, but for thousands. It was the first time in many years that all the cities agreed on something. People gave away their belongings, said goodbye to their old lives, and joined the journey.
The first big group arrived two years later. Families stepped off the ship with tears in their eyes and smiles on their faces. They were welcomed with open arms. Everyone helped to build homes, plant food, and teach each other.
But not all news was good. Back on Earth, the weather was getting worse. Giant dust storms destroyed many of the domes. Water was harder to find. The machines that kept people alive were breaking. Time was running out.
Leo and the leaders on Oria sent a final message to Earth:
“This is your last chance. We will send three more ships. After that, we cannot come back. The journey is long, and our resources are limited. Please, come now while you can.”
The message was played on every screen in every city. People cried. Some still didn’t believe. Others didn’t want to leave the only home they had ever known. But many knew the truth. Earth was dying.
The final ships left one month later. Leo watched from a tall hill as they arrived. Children ran into open fields. Old people sat in the sun for the first time in years. Everyone was tired, but hopeful.
Years passed. The people of Oria built schools, hospitals, and music halls. They danced, sang, and told stories of Earth — not with sadness, but with love. Earth became a memory, a lesson.
Leo grew old, but he was happy. One evening, he sat with his young granddaughter under a tall tree. She asked him, “Grandpa, what was Earth like?”
He smiled. “Earth was grey when I left it, but I remember the blue skies from when I was a boy. It was beautiful once. And now, Oria is our new Earth. A second chance.”
She looked up at the stars. “Will we send messages to other planets?”
Leo nodded slowly. “Maybe one day. But first, we must take care of this one.”
As the stars shone above and the wind whispered through the trees, Leo closed his eyes and listened. It was the sound of life, of hope, and of a new beginning.
Vocabulary Notes
Gentle (weather)
Definition: Soft or not harsh; calm and kind.
Example: “…clean rivers, and gentle weather.”
Similar words:
Mild – not strong or extreme.
Calm – peaceful, not stormy.
Soft – in this context, not aggressive or dangerous.
Natural fibres
Definition: Materials made from plants or animals (like cotton or wool), not man-made.
Example: “He now wore clothes made from soft, natural fibres.”
Similar words:
Organic materials
Plant-based fibres
Eco-friendly fabrics
Routine (noun)
(Repeated from Part 1, but used differently)
Definition: A usual way of doing things, often boring or fixed.
Reinforcement example: Life was no longer controlled by routine and machines.
Similar words:
Schedule
Structure
Habit
Welcomed with open arms
Definition: A phrase meaning to receive someone very warmly and happily.
Example: “They were welcomed with open arms.”
Similar expressions:
Made to feel at home
Given a warm welcome
Received joyfully
Resources
Definition: Supplies or things that people need, such as food, water, or energy.
Example: “…our resources are limited.”
Similar words:
Supplies
Materials
Provisions
Cheered (verb)
Definition: To shout with happiness or encouragement.
Example: “The people in Dome City 7 cried and cheered.”
Similar words:
Applauded
Celebrated
Rejoiced
Memory (used as a metaphor)
Definition: Something remembered from the past.
Example: “Earth became a memory, a lesson.”
Similar words:
Remembrance
Recollection
Legacy – something left behind from the past.
Second chance
Definition: Another opportunity to do something better.
Example: “Oria is our new Earth. A second chance.”
Similar phrases:
Fresh start
New beginning
Another shot
Whispered (used poetically)
Definition: Spoke in a very soft voice; here it’s used to describe the gentle sound of the wind.
Example: “…the wind whispered through the trees…”
Similar words:
Murmured
Rustled – a soft sound like leaves moving.
Breathed (figuratively) – sometimes used poetically for soft sounds.
Take care of
Definition: To look after something or someone; to be responsible for it.
Example: “But first, we must take care of this one.”
Similar expressions:
Look after
Protect
Maintain
Story written by ChatGPT AI
Image created by Designer AI
Hello this is Steve. If you enjoyed the story, please would you take the time to leave a meaningful comment and click on the like icon. If you want to know when the next story has been uploaded, please click on the notify bell icon to be notified. If you haven’t already, please subscribe to my channel and tell your English learning friends, so they can benefit too. Thank you.
CC Music: Drifting at 432 Hz – Unicorn Heads

Leave a comment