Mark worked at a small supermarket in the centre of town. His job was simple: collect shopping trolleys from the car park and bring them back to the entrance. It was not exciting, but it was usually peaceful. That changed on the day one trolley decided to escape.
It happened on a windy Tuesday morning. Mark was lining up the trolleys when a sudden strong gust pushed one away. The trolley rolled across the car park, picking up speed as if it had somewhere important to go.
Mark shouted, “Oi! Come back!” and ran after it. Several customers stopped what they were doing to watch. One woman even clapped, as if Mark was in a race.
The trolley shot past a delivery van, swerved between two confused pigeons, and headed straight for the main road. Mark sprinted after it, breathing heavily and already regretting eating a big breakfast.
Just before it reached the traffic lights, the trolley turned sharply and rattled down a narrow alley. Mark followed, now laughing at the ridiculous situation. The alley led to the town square, where a group of tourists were taking photos. They screamed with surprise as the runaway trolley zoomed past them like a metal rocket.
Finally, the trolley slowed down when one of its wheels hit a small pothole. It fell onto its side with a dramatic clang. Mark arrived a moment later, panting but triumphant. He lifted the trolley upright and said, “Right, you are definitely not getting a lunch break.”
A few tourists applauded. Someone even took a picture of Mark standing proudly with the trolley, as if he had just returned from a heroic mission.
When he got back to the supermarket, his manager asked, “Everything alright?”
Mark smiled. “Yes. One trolley tried to quit, but I talked it out of it.”
After that day, customers often asked Mark if any more trolleys had tried to escape. He always replied, “Not yet, but you never know with this job.”
Vocabulary Notes
Gust (noun)
Meaning: A sudden, strong movement of wind.
Example: “…a sudden strong gust pushed one away.”
Explanation: A gust is stronger than a breeze and usually happens quickly.
Similar words: blast (of wind), puff, rush, surge.
Regretting (verb – from “to regret”)
Meaning: Feeling sorry about something you have done.
Example: “…already regretting eating a big breakfast.”
Explanation: When you regret something, you wish you had made a different choice.
Similar words: feeling sorry, remorseful, second-guessing.
Rattled (verb)
Meaning: Moved quickly while making a series of short, sharp noises.
Example: “…the trolley turned sharply and rattled down a narrow alley.”
Explanation: Objects with wheels, metal parts, or loose pieces often rattle when they move.
Similar words: clattered, banged, jingled, jangled.
Triumphant (adjective)
Meaning: Feeling proud and successful after winning or achieving something.
Example: “Mark arrived a moment later, panting but triumphant.”
Explanation: This feeling often comes after completing a challenge or solving a problem.
Similar words: victorious, proud, successful, delighted.
Heroic (adjective)
Meaning: Brave or impressive in a way that makes people admire you.
Example: “…as if he had just returned from a heroic mission.”
Explanation: It is often used humorously for small achievements, as in the story.
Similar words: brave, bold, valiant, courageous.
Story written by ChatGPT.
Image created by ChatGPT.
CC Music: Drifting at 432 Hz – Unicorn Heads.
Reading Short Stories/Content for English Learners 
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