Learn English with Stories ⭐ A Very Interesting Story | Level 3 English Listening Practice

When I was young, I thought life was simple. My father had money, so I did not worry. I did not study much. I did not work. My name is Daniel. I grew up in a large house in a quiet town near Manchester. The house had five bedrooms, a big garden, and a shiny black car in the

driveway. My father owned a small factory. He worked long hours, but I never saw the hard work. I only saw the results. New clothes, expensive toys, and holidays by the sea. Every morning, a driver took me to school. I sat in the back seat and looked out the window. I did not care about lessons. I cared

about football and video games. Teachers called my parents many times. "Daniel is clever," they said, "but he does not try." My father always answered the same way. "He is still young. He will learn later." My mother was kind, but quiet. She cooked nice food and kept the house clean. She never forced me to study.

She believed my father would always take care of everything. I finished school with low marks. My friends went to university or found jobs. I stayed at home. I slept until noon. I played games until late at night. My father gave me pocket money every week. I spent it quickly on clothes and nights

out with friends. I never asked where the money came from. One evening, my father came home earlier than usual. His face was gray. He sat at the kitchen table and did not speak for a long time. Finally, he said, "The factory is in trouble. We have lost many orders. The bank is asking for money we do not

have." I did not understand. I thought rich people never had problems. I went upstairs and put on my headphones. Months passed. The shiny car disappeared. Then the gardener stopped coming. Then we sold some furniture. One cold morning, my father called me to the living room. My mother sat beside him. Her eyes were red.