Short Stories in English for Beginners

party to today. George came up with a great idea. He suggested we 
play a
trick
 on you. He did it to get you to the cabin for two days.’
‘Really? Yes, that was some trick,’ said Sylvia as she looked around.
‘And where is George?’
George came out from behind a tree. He was completely clean and
completely safe.
‘I’m sorry, Sylvia,’ said George. ‘We played a pretty bad trick on you.
But we wanted it to be a birthday to remember! And you are getting a really
great present!’
Sylvia’s father handed her a birthday card.
‘For that trick? It must definitely be a great gift!’ said Sylvia, laughing.
She opened the card. In it there were several papers. ‘What is this?’ she
asked and looked around.
Sylvia’s friends and family picked her up. They carried her to the front of
the house. ‘We bought you this old house, honey! The house is your
birthday present!’ said her mother.
Sylvia’s father joined them. ‘We're going to 
renovate
 it together,’ he
added. ‘It’s going to be your summer house!’

---

Sylvia started to laugh. Then she started to cry with 
relief
. George was
safe. She was safe. And this crazy old cabin was hers!
Finally, Sylvia was able to speak again. ‘Well,’ she began, ‘I want to
thank you all for the birthday surprise. And Mum, Dad, I can’t believe this
house is mine, thank you!’ Then she looked at her father and George. ‘Dad,
that was quite a 
performance
. I just want to give the creature one important
piece of advice. He is not welcome as a visitor any more!’
The group laughed and then sang some more. Then they went into the
cabin. It was time for coffee and cake. It was also time for a long rest for
the birthday girl!
Chapter 3 Review
Summary
Sylvia returns to the cabin to look for George. The lights are on. She goes
inside. Her family and friends are there. They say they are there to find
George. Sylvia doesn’t understand. Her friends leave to look in the woods.
Sylvia thinks about her current situation. She goes back to the cabin. She
sees the creature there. It chases her into the woods. She falls but then the
creature helps her up. It is actually her father! The creature is part of her
birthday surprise and the cabin is her present.