Lena sold warm bread at a floating market above the clouds. The stalls rested on wide stone discs that moved slowly in a gentle circle. People from many lands came to buy food, maps, and small charms. Some had wings. Some walked with long sticks. All smiled at the blue light around them.

One morning, a silver bell appeared on Lena’s table. It was small, cold, and very heavy for its size. No one said they had put it there. A soft sound came from it, like a slow breath.

A tall woman with clear eyes stopped at the stall. “That bell belongs to the sky,” she said. “If it rings, the wind will change.”

Lena felt afraid but also proud. She had never owned anything so rare. “What should I do with it?” she asked.

“Listen,” the woman replied. Then she walked away and was gone.

The wind began to turn. The stone discs moved faster. Cups slid. Breads rolled. People held their bags and looked up. Dark clouds formed in a wide circle around the market.

The bell grew warm in Lena’s hands. It rang once, low and calm. The sound moved through the air like a soft wave. The clouds stopped. The discs slowed.

A young boy ran to her. “You saved us,” he said. “My mother says storms can break the discs.”

Lena shook her head. “I only held the bell.”

The bell rang again, higher this time. A line of light opened in the clouds. Through it, Lena saw a bright road made of wind. It led away from the market and into the open sky.

People watched in silence. The tall woman returned and stood beside Lena. “The bell has chosen you,” she said. “It asks you to return it to the sky road.”

Lena felt her heart beat fast. She had never left the market. She looked at her bread, her table, and the people she knew. Then she looked at the road of wind.

“I will go,” she said.

She stepped onto the road. It felt strong under her feet. The bell rang one last time, then became light and warm, and finally vanished like mist.

The road carried Lena to a high place above the clouds. There, the wind was gentle and clear. She understood then that the bell was not lost. It only needed a voice.

The road slowly faded, and Lena found herself back at the market. The storm was gone. The discs were calm. The people smiled at her.

From that day on, the market never faced another great storm. And Lena knew that the sky had heard her, and was at peace again.

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Vocabulary Notes

Rare
Meaning: Not common or easy to find.
Example: She had never owned anything so rare.
Similar words: Uncommon, special, unusual.
Extra example: He found a rare book in a small village shop.

Vanished
Meaning: Disappeared suddenly.
Example: The bell rang one last time, then became light and warm, and finally vanished like mist.
Similar words: Disappeared, faded, went away.
Extra example: The rainbow vanished when the rain stopped.

Storm
Meaning: Strong and dangerous weather with wind and clouds.
Example: My mother says storms can break the discs.
Similar words: Tempest, thunderstorm, bad weather.
Extra example: The storm closed the harbour for two days.

Calm
Meaning: Quiet and peaceful, without movement or trouble.
Example: The discs were calm.
Similar words: Peaceful, still, gentle.
Extra example: The lake was calm in the early morning.

Chosen
Meaning: Selected for a special reason.
Example: The bell has chosen you.
Similar words: Selected, picked, appointed.
Extra example: She was chosen to lead the small group.

Story written by ChatGPT.

Image created by ChatGPT.

CC Music: Drifting at 432 Hz – Unicorn Heads.

British short stories, learning English, English speaking, English speaking practice, English reading, English reading practice, reading English, ielts, ielts listening, English listening practice, listening practice, short story, story time,