This is Collection 4 of the Fantastic Tales series — a set of short story lessons with reading comprehension questions, vocabulary, and discussion activities.
Jamie is determined to build a flying machine, despite repeated failures and constant criticism from his mother. Driven by persistence and belief in his idea, he continues working day after day, convinced that success is within reach. As the moment of truth arrives, everything depends on whether his hard work will finally pay off.
This short story explores themes of determination, ambition, and resilience, showing the power of belief in the face of doubt.
Level: B1–B2
As Georgina travels back to London after visiting her parents, she enjoys the quiet journey through the countryside. But when the train passes through a tunnel, everything changes. Suddenly, she finds herself completely alone — with no passengers, no staff, and no explanation.
This short story explores themes of isolation, reality, and fear, creating a deeply unsettling atmosphere as the ordinary world suddenly becomes strange and unpredictable.
Level: B1–B2
Waiting alone on a late-night train platform, James is approached by an unusual elderly woman who begins asking strange and unsettling questions. At first, she seems harmless, but as the conversation continues, something about her becomes increasingly disturbing. What follows is a terrifying encounter that turns an ordinary night into a nightmare.
This short story explores themes of danger, instinct, and the unknown, building tension as a seemingly harmless situation becomes something far more sinister.
Level: B1–B2
Unable to sleep and restless in the middle of the night, a man begins scrolling through his phone and decides to call his own number out of curiosity. What starts as a strange but harmless idea quickly turns into something far more unsettling when someone answers — and claims to be him.
This short story explores themes of identity, isolation, and reality, creating tension through a mysterious and disturbing encounter.
Level: B1–B2
A man wakes up in a bath filled with ice, confused and in severe pain, with no memory of how he got there. As fragments of the previous night return to him, he begins to realise that something is terribly wrong. A shocking discovery forces him to confront the reality of what has happened.
This short story explores themes of vulnerability, danger, and consequence, creating tension through a gripping and disturbing scenario.
Level: B1–B2
Four students move into an old house despite rumours that it is haunted, dismissing the stories as nonsense. At first, only small and strange events occur, easy to explain or ignore. But as the disturbances grow more unsettling, they begin to realise that something in the house may be very real.
This short story explores themes of fear, disbelief, and the supernatural, building tension as ordinary explanations give way to something far more disturbing.
Level: B1–B2
As closing time approaches in a quiet bar, Rich prepares to send his final customers home. But one stranger remains, calmly ordering drink after drink and refusing to leave. As the situation grows more tense and unsettling, Rich realises that this is no ordinary customer — and that something far more sinister is about to happen.
This short story explores themes of fate, fear, and the unknown, building tension in a confined and increasingly threatening setting.
Level: B1–B2
Simon spends his time alone on quiet beaches, searching for hidden objects with his metal detector. When he discovers something unusual buried beneath the sand, curiosity quickly turns into fear. Faced with a shocking discovery, he must decide what to do — knowing that any choice could have serious consequences.
This short story explores themes of isolation, fear, and moral decision-making, building tension through a moment that changes everything.
Level: B1–B2
Edith enjoys her new job as a window dresser, spending long evenings arranging mannequins in a department store display. As she becomes more absorbed in her work, she begins to feel a strange connection to one particular mannequin. What starts as imagination slowly turns into something far more unsettling when reality begins to shift.
This short story explores themes of identity, obsession, and transformation, building tension as the line between the real and the artificial begins to blur.
Level: B1–B2
Robert wakes in the middle of the night to find a stranger standing in his bedroom. Calm but threatening, the man insists that Robert must leave with him immediately. As fear takes hold and the situation becomes more dangerous, Robert is forced to decide whether to comply or resist.
This short story explores themes of fear, control, and vulnerability, building tension through a chilling and unpredictable encounter.
Level: B1–B2
