This is Collection 3 of the Fantastic Tales series — a set of short story lessons with reading comprehension questions, vocabulary, and discussion activities.
Looking to buy a horse for his daughter, Bill visits a stable where he is directed to an unwanted horse kept in a dark, forgotten barn. At first, the horse seems difficult and unapproachable, but as Bill spends time with her, he begins to sense something unusual. What he discovers reveals that this is no ordinary horse at all.
This short story explores themes of perception, patience, and hidden beauty, uncovering something magical beneath the surface.
Level: B1–B2
Stan discovers that his wife, Brenda, unknowingly reveals winning horse racing tips in her sleep. As he begins to profit from her strange predictions, his excitement grows and he becomes increasingly dependent on her nightly whispers. But one night, her message changes — and what she reveals is far more serious than anything he expected.
This short story explores themes of greed, luck, and unintended consequences, with a dramatic shift from light humour to something much darker.
Level: B1–B2
Encouraged by a friend, Gloria agrees to pose as a life model for an artist, stepping far outside her comfort zone. As the session begins, she feels nervous and unsure, but the experience soon becomes something unexpected. What starts as a simple act of modelling turns into a moment of intense awareness and self-discovery.
This short story explores themes of vulnerability, identity, and awakening, revealing how unfamiliar situations can lead to powerful personal change.
Level: B2
Kevin suddenly decides to walk out of his office and leave everything behind. As he makes his way through the town, more and more people try to stop him, insisting that he cannot go. But Kevin continues forward, determined to escape, even as the pressure around him grows.
This short story explores themes of conformity, freedom, and choice, raising questions about why people stay in situations they feel trapped in — and what it really means to leave.
Level: B1–B2
Two boys explore an abandoned mineshaft, relying on a single torch as they move deeper into the darkness. While one becomes more curious and eager to explore, the other begins to feel uneasy and wants to turn back. As they push further into the unknown, a sudden moment changes everything, leaving one of them alone in the darkness.
This short story explores themes of fear, curiosity, and consequence, building tension in a claustrophobic and dangerous setting.
Level: B1–B2
Two children set out across a cold, fog-covered fjord in a small boat, hoping to reach the other side before night falls. As strange sounds rise from the depths below, fear begins to take hold. What follows is a terrifying encounter with something ancient and powerful lurking beneath the surface.
This short story explores themes of fear, courage, and the unknown, building suspense in a harsh and isolated setting.
Level: B1–B2
Trapped in a burning building, Jim fights his way through smoke and flames in a desperate attempt to escape. When he hears a young girl calling for help, he makes a split-second decision that puts his own life at even greater risk. What follows is a powerful and unexpected encounter that changes everything.
This short story explores themes of courage, sacrifice, and the extraordinary within the ordinary, blending intense action with a moment of quiet wonder.
Level: B1–B2
While playing hide and seek in their grandmother’s house, two children discover a hidden door in the basement. What begins as a moment of curiosity quickly turns into something far more unsettling when they unlock it and look inside. Behind the door lies a shocking discovery that neither of them could have imagined.
This short story explores themes of innocence, curiosity, and hidden darkness, revealing how quickly a child’s world can shift from playful to disturbing.
Level: B1–B2
When Maureen’s beloved dog goes missing, she searches desperately through her neighbourhood before finally turning to the police for help. As she fills in the report, she is forced to face the possibility that she may never see him again. But just as hope begins to fade, something unexpected happens.
This short story explores themes of loneliness, attachment, and hope, showing the deep bond between people and their pets.
Level: B1–B2
When Sam returns home after a quick trip to the shop, he expects everything to be normal. But his wife insists that he has been gone for three days. As confusion turns to fear, Sam struggles to understand what has happened — and reality itself begins to shift in a deeply unsettling way.
This short story explores themes of time, perception, and reality, creating tension through a mysterious and disorienting situation.
Level: B1–B2
