The Jacket in the Window — Easy English Story

Transcript

Introduction

A: Hello, and welcome. This is a short English story for learners. The level is B1, so the words are simple and the speech is slow and clear.

A: In this story, listen for these useful phrases: to try it on, It fits perfectly, How much is it?, It’s a bit expensive, to change your mind, on sale, thirty percent off, a bargain, It’s worth it, and Can I pay by card?

A: You can practice today’s phrases in Recursio — link in the description.

A: After the story, we will review all the phrases together. Are you ready? Let’s begin.

The jacket in the window

A: It was a cold evening in autumn. Nina was walking home from work.

A: It was raining a little, and the streets were shiny and wet.

A: Nina was tired. She wanted to get home, make a cup of tea, and rest.

A: It had been a long day at work, and her feet hurt. She just wanted to be home.

A: But then she stopped. In front of her, there was a small shop, with a big window.

A: And in the window, there was a jacket.

A: It was a beautiful blue jacket. Soft, warm, and a lovely color. Just the kind of jacket Nina loved.

A: She looked at it for a long time. The rain fell softly on her umbrella.

B: Oh, that’s beautiful. Look at that color. I really like it.

A: Nina imagined wearing the jacket. On cold mornings. On long, slow walks. It looked so warm.

A: It was the perfect blue — not too bright, not too dark. The kind of color that goes with everything.

A: Nina wanted to go inside. But it was late, and the shop was closed. The lights were off.

A: She looked at the little white price tag, but she could not read the number from the street.

A: “I’ll come back tomorrow,” she thought. “I’ll come back and try it on.”

A: She walked home, but she could not stop thinking about the blue jacket.

A: At home, she made a cup of tea, but she was not really thinking about the tea.

A: She was thinking about the jacket. The soft blue jacket in the window.

A: All evening, she thought about it. When she went to bed, she was still thinking about it.

A: “Maybe it is too expensive,” she thought. “But maybe I can try it on. Just to see.”

A: The blue jacket in the window.

Trying it on

A: The next day, after work, Nina went straight to the shop. This time, the lights were on, and the door was open.

A: She walked inside. It was warm and quiet. Soft music was playing.

A: There were coats and jackets on the walls, in many colors — red, green, grey. But Nina only wanted one: the blue one from the window.

A: She looked around for a moment. She felt a little nervous — she didn’t know the shop.

A: Then a shop assistant came over. She was a friendly woman with a kind smile.

C: Good evening. Can I help you?

A: Nina smiled. She pointed to the window.

B: Yes, please. There’s a blue jacket in the window. Can I try it on?

A: The assistant nodded and brought the jacket.

C: Of course. Here you are. The fitting room is just there, on the right.

A: Nina took the jacket. It felt soft and warm in her hands.

A: She went into the fitting room and put it on. Slowly, she looked in the mirror.

A: The jacket looked wonderful. It was the right size, the right color — everything.

A: She turned to the left, and then to the right. She smiled at herself in the mirror.

A: It felt soft and warm, like a hug. It was exactly the jacket she had wanted for a long time.

B: Oh, it fits perfectly! It’s exactly right.

A: Nina was very happy. But then she remembered something important. The price.

A: She came out of the fitting room and found the assistant.

B: Excuse me, how much is it?

A: The assistant looked at the price tag.

C: It’s ninety euros.

A: Nina’s smile grew smaller. Ninety euros. That was a lot of money for her.

B: Oh. It’s a bit expensive.

A: The assistant nodded kindly. She understood.

C: I know. It’s a lovely jacket, but it isn’t cheap.

A: Nina looked at the jacket in the mirror one more time. She really loved it. But ninety euros was too much for her this month.

A: She thought about her money — the rent, the food, the bus tickets. Ninety euros was a lot.

A: “Not today,” she thought sadly. Slowly, she began to take the jacket off.

B: I’m sorry. I think I’ve changed my mind. It’s too expensive for me today.

A: She felt sad. She gave the jacket back to the assistant, and turned to leave.

A lucky surprise

A: But as Nina walked to the door, the assistant looked at her computer. Then she smiled.

C: Wait a moment, please. I have some good news.

A: Nina stopped and turned around. The assistant smiled.

C: This jacket is on sale from today. Everything in the blue collection is thirty percent off.

A: Nina did not understand at first.

B: On sale? So… it’s cheaper now?

A: The assistant nodded happily.

C: Yes. Thirty percent off. So the jacket is not ninety euros. It’s sixty-three euros.

A: Nina’s eyes grew big. Sixty-three euros was still a lot, but it was much, much better than ninety.

A: She did the math in her head. Yes — she could pay for it. It would be okay.

A: She thought about it for a moment. The soft blue jacket. The perfect fit. The cold autumn evenings ahead.

B: Sixty-three euros… That’s a good price. That’s a real bargain!

A: The assistant laughed gently.

C: It is. And it looks so good on you. I think it’s worth it.

A: Nina glanced at the jacket again. Yes. It was worth it.

B: Okay. I’ll take it! I’ve changed my mind again. Can I pay by card?

A: The assistant smiled and took her to the counter.

C: Of course. You can pay by card. Tap it here, please.

A: Nina paid by card. The card machine made a small beep.

C: Would you like the receipt?

B: Yes, please.

A: The assistant put the receipt in the bag with the jacket. “Thank you so much,” said Nina, and she felt light and happy, like a child on a birthday.

A: The assistant folded the jacket softly. Then she stopped.

C: Actually — it’s cold outside. Would you like to wear it now?

A: Nina smiled a big smile.

B: Yes, please. I’d love to.

A: She put on her beautiful new blue jacket, and she walked out into the evening.

A: The rain was soft on her new jacket. The blue looked even more beautiful in the evening light.

A: It was still raining a little. But now Nina was warm, and happy.

A: People walked past her in the street, but Nina was not in a hurry. She walked home slowly, and she smiled.

A: The jacket in the window was hers — and it fit perfectly.

Phrase review

A: Now, let’s review the useful phrases from the story. I will say each phrase, explain it, and give you an example. Listen and repeat after me.

A: First: to try it on. To try something on means to put on clothes in the shop, to see if they fit. For example: “I like this jacket. Can I try it on?” Or: “These shoes are nice — can I try them on?”

A: Next: It fits perfectly. “To fit” means it’s the right size for your body. If it’s exactly right, we say: “It fits perfectly!”

A: Next: How much is it? This is how you ask the price of one thing. For example: “Excuse me, how much is it?”

A: Next: It’s a bit expensive. When something costs a lot, but you want to say it politely, you say: “It’s a bit expensive.” The words “a bit” make it softer.

A: Next: to change your mind. This means to make a new decision. Nina said, “I’ve changed my mind.” First she wanted the jacket, then she didn’t — and then she did again!

A: Next: on sale. When a shop sells things for less money than usual, the things are “on sale”. For example: “This jacket is on sale. It’s thirty percent off.” Or: “I bought these boots when they were on sale.”

A: And a very useful one: thirty percent off. This means the price is thirty percent lower. If a jacket was ninety euros, thirty percent off is sixty-three euros.

A: Next: a bargain. A bargain is a good thing that you buy for a low price. For example: “Sixty-three euros for this jacket? That’s a real bargain!” Or: “Only ten euros? What a bargain!”

A: Next: It’s worth it. We use “worth it” when something is good enough for the price, the time, or the effort. For example: “It costs a little more, but it’s worth it.” Or: “The trip was long, but it was worth it.”

A: And finally: Can I pay by card? This is how you ask to pay with your bank card, not cash. For example: “Can I pay by card?” And the answer: “Of course.”

Mini recall

A: Now let’s practice. I will describe something, and you say the phrase. Don’t worry if it is hard. Try, and then I will give the answer.

A: You want to put on a jacket in the shop, to see if it fits. What do you ask?

A: Can I try it on?

A: You want to know the price. What do you ask?

A: How much is it?

A: The price is high, and you want to say it politely. What do you say?

A: It’s a bit expensive.

A: The shop is selling things cheaper than usual. How do you say this?

A: The things are on sale.

A: The price is lower today. It is thirty percent…?

A: Off. Thirty percent off.

A: You want to pay with your bank card, not cash. What do you ask?

A: Can I pay by card?

A: The jacket is a good price, and you want to buy it. You decide it is…?

A: Worth it. Well done!

Outro

A: That’s the end of our story, “The Jacket in the Window.”

A: Today you learned: to try it on, It fits perfectly, How much is it, It’s a bit expensive, to change your mind, on sale, thirty percent off, a bargain, It’s worth it, and Can I pay by card.

A: If you want to review these phrases and remember them, open the link below and practice them in Recursio.

A: Thank you for listening. See you in the next story. Take care!