The Storm by Kate Chopin is a short, beautiful love story about emotions, choices, and human feelings. This version is rewritten for Level 2 English learners. It uses simple vocabulary and grammar so you can enjoy reading and improve your English. If you are looking for an easy love story in English PDF, this classic tale is perfect for you. The story happens during a summer storm and shows how strong feelings can appear at unexpected times. Read it, enjoy it, and learn from it.

This story was rewritten by LearnEnglish-new.com for English learners. The story is in the public domain, so it is free from copyright. Enjoy reading and improve your English skills!

The Storm

By Kate Chopin

Contents

Chapter One:     A Sudden Storm

Chapter Two:    An Unexpected Visitor

Chapter Three:  The Storm Inside

Chapter Four:    Letters and Peace

Chapter One

A Sudden Storm

The sky was quiet, and the trees didn’t move. Even Bibi, a small boy, knew it would rain soon. He was sitting with his father, Bobinôt, near the door of a small shop. The clouds in the sky looked dark and dangerous. Thunder rolled in the distance.

“Maybe Mama will be scared,” Bibi said softly, blinking his big eyes.

Bobinôt smiled and replied, “She’ll close the house. Maybe Sylvie is helping her today.”

“No,” Bibi said. “Sylvie helped yesterday.”

Bobinôt stood up and bought a can of shrimps. His wife, Calixta, liked them. He came back and sat again. The rain started. It was strong and loud. But Bibi was not scared. He put his little hand on his father’s knee and waited calmly.

Chapter 1 – Vocabulary

  1. Storm /stɔːrm/ — a strong wind and rain
    Example: The storm was strong and loud.
  2. Sky /skaɪ/ — the space above the Earth
    Example: The sky was quiet, and the trees didn’t move.
  3. Clouds /klaʊdz/ — white or gray shapes in the sky
    Example: The clouds in the sky looked dark and dangerous.
  4. Thunder /ˈθʌndər/ — the loud sound after lightning
    Example: Thunder rolled in the distance.
  1. Rain /reɪn/ — water that falls from the sky
    Example: The rain started.
  2. Scared /skeərd/ — feeling afraid
    Example: “Maybe Mama will be scared,” Bibi said softly.
  3. Dangerous /ˈdeɪndʒərəs/ — not safe; able to cause harm
    Example: The clouds in the sky looked dark and dangerous.
  4. Calmly /ˈkɑːmli/ — in a quiet and peaceful way
    Example: He put his little hand on his father’s knee and waited calmly.

Chapter 1 – Comprehension Questions

  1. What does Bibi know about the weather?
  2. Where are Bibi and Bobinôt sitting?
  3. What do the clouds look like?
  4. Why does Bibi think Mama may be scared?
  1. Who helped Calixta yesterday?
  2. What did Bobinôt buy for Calixta?
  3. Did Bibi feel scared when the rain started?
  4. How did Bibi wait during the storm?

Chapter 1 – Grammar Exercises

  1. Bibi _ near the door of a small shop.
    A) sit
    B) sits
    C) sitting
  2. The clouds _ dark and dangerous.
    A) look
    B) looks
    C) looking
  3. Bibi _ it will rain soon.
    A) know
    B) knows
    C) knowing
  4. Bobinôt _ a can of shrimps for Calixta.
    A) buy
    B) buys
    C) buying
  1. Calixta _ shrimps.
    A) like
    B) likes
    C) liking
  2. Bibi _ scared during the storm.
    A) does not feel
    B) do not feels
    C) does not feels
  3. Bobinôt and Bibi _ near the shop.
    A) is
    B) are
    C) am
  4. _ Bibi feel scared when the rain starts?
    A) Do
    B) Does
    C) Is
Answer Key:

1-B, 2-A, 3-B, 4-B, 5-B, 6-A, 7-B, 8-B

Chapter Two

An Unexpected Visitor

At home, Calixta was busy. She was sewing clothes and didn’t see the storm coming. But she felt hot and took off her white jacket. Then the rain started.

She ran outside to take down some clothes from the line. As she did, she saw a man on a horse—Alcé Laballière. She knew him from the past, before her marriage. They had not seen each other in years.

“Can I wait here on your porch until the rain stops?” he asked.

“Come in, M’sieur Alcé,” she answered.

They both worked to stop the water from coming inside. Alcé helped her push cloth under the door. Then he sat down, and Calixta looked out the window. The rain came down hard, and lightning flashed in the sky.

Suddenly, she felt afraid. She thought about Bobinôt and Bibi. Were they okay?

Alcé walked to her and held her. She cried, “If I only knew where Bibi is!”

“Don’t worry,” Alcé said gently. “They’re safe.”

She looked at him, and the fear in her eyes changed to something soft and warm. He kissed her. She remembered the past, when they had kissed before. Her feelings came back.

Chapter 2 – Vocabulary

  1. Sew /səʊ/ — to join clothes using a needle and thread
    Example: She was sewing clothes and didn’t see the storm coming.
  2. Jacket /ˈdʒækɪt/ — a short piece of clothing worn on the upper body
    Example: She felt hot and took off her white jacket.
  3. Porch /pɔːrtʃ/ — a covered area in front of a house
    Example: “Can I wait here on your porch until the rain stops?” he asked.
  4. Visitor /ˈvɪzɪtər/ — a person who comes to a place for a short time
    Example: Alcé was an unexpected visitor.
  1. Past /pæst/ — the time before now
    Example: She knew him from the past, before her marriage.
  2. Lightning /ˈlaɪtnɪŋ/ — a bright flash of light in the sky during a storm
    Example: The rain came down hard, and lightning flashed in the sky.
  3. Afraid /əˈfreɪd/ — feeling fear
    Example: Suddenly, she felt afraid.
  4. Gently /ˈdʒentli/ — in a kind and soft way
    Example: “Don’t worry,” Alcé said gently.

Chapter 2 – Comprehension Questions

  1. What is Calixta doing at home?
  2. Why does Calixta take off her white jacket?
  3. Why does Calixta run outside?
  4. Who does Calixta see on a horse?
  1. Why does Alcé come to Calixta’s house?
  2. How do Alcé and Calixta stop the water from coming inside?
  3. Why does Calixta become afraid?
  4. What happens when Alcé kisses Calixta?

Chapter 2 – Grammar Exercises

  1. Calixta _ clothes at home.
    A) sew
    B) sews
    C) sewing
  2. She _ hot and takes off her jacket.
    A) feel
    B) feels
    C) feeling
  3. Alcé _ Calixta from the past.
    A) know
    B) knows
    C) knowing
  4. He _ to wait on the porch.
    A) ask
    B) asks
    C) asking
  1. Calixta _ Alcé into the house.
    A) invite
    B) invites
    C) inviting
  2. Alcé _ her push the cloth under the door.
    A) help
    B) helps
    C) helping
  3. Calixta _ afraid during the storm.
    A) feel
    B) feels
    C) feeling
  4. _ Calixta worry about Bibi?
    A) Do
    B) Does
    C) Is
Answer Key:

1-B, 2-B, 3-B, 4-B, 5-B, 6-B, 7-B, 8-B

Chapter Three

The Storm Inside

They didn’t hear the storm anymore. Calixta laughed in his arms. Her body, her heart, everything remembered the love they had once shared. Alcé felt the same. They kissed again and again. They forgot the storm outside. They only felt the heat between them.

Later, they rested, calm and quiet. The storm outside was leaving. The thunder was softer. The rain was slower. They didn’t talk. They only listened to each other’s breath and heartbeat.

Then Alcé stood up. It was time to go. Calixta helped him gather his things. They smiled at each other—nothing needed to be said.

The sun came out, and the world was bright and green. Calixta stood on the porch and watched Alcé ride away. She smiled and lifted her chin.

Soon, Bobinôt and Bibi came home. They were dirty and wet. Bobinôt tried to clean Bibi’s legs and clothes.

“My! Bibi, what will Mama say?” he asked.

Inside the house, Calixta was preparing dinner. When she saw them, she jumped up.

“Oh, Bobinôt! You’re back! I was so worried!”

She checked Bibi—he was fine. She smiled and kissed him.

“I brought you some shrimps,” Bobinôt said and placed the can on the table.

“Oh! You’re too good, Bobinôt!” she replied, giving him a kiss.

They sat down to eat. They laughed and felt happy together.

Chapter 3 – Vocabulary.

  1. Heart /hɑːrt/ — the part of the body that pumps blood; also a symbol of feelings
    Example: Her body, her heart, everything remembered the love they had once shared.
  2. Love /lʌv/ — a strong feeling of liking and caring for someone
    Example: They had once shared love.
  3. Rest /rest/ — to relax after doing something
    Example: Later, they rested, calm and quiet.
  4. Breath /breθ/ — the air that you take into your lungs and let out
    Example: They only listened to each other’s breath and heartbeat.
  1. Heartbeat /ˈhɑːrtbiːt/ — the sound or movement of the heart
    Example: They listened to each other’s breath and heartbeat.
  2. Gather /ˈɡæðər/ — to collect things together
    Example: Calixta helped him gather his things.
  3. Worried /ˈwʌrid/ — feeling that something bad may happen
    Example: “I was so worried!”
  4. Shrimps /ʃrɪmps/ — small sea animals that people eat
    Example: “I brought you some shrimps,” Bobinôt said and placed the can on the table.

Chapter 3 – Comprehension Questions

  1. What do Calixta and Alcé do during the storm?
  2. What do they forget about?
  3. How do Calixta and Alcé feel after the storm?
  4. What do they listen to when they rest?
  1. Why does Alcé leave Calixta’s house?
  2. What does Calixta do when Alcé leaves?
  3. Who comes home after the storm?
  4. What does Bobinôt bring for Calixta?

Chapter 3 – Grammar Exercises

  1. Calixta _ happy when Bobinôt comes home.
    A) feel
    B) feels
    C) feeling
  2. Alcé _ Calixta before he leaves.
    A) help
    B) helps
    C) helping
  3. The sun _ out after the storm.
    A) come
    B) comes
    C) coming
  4. Bobinôt and Bibi _ home after the storm.
    A) come
    B) comes
    C) coming
  1. Bibi _ dirty and wet.
    A) look
    B) looks
    C) looking
  2. Calixta _ Bibi when he comes home.
    A) kiss
    B) kisses
    C) kissing
  3. Bobinôt _ Calixta some shrimps.
    A) bring
    B) brings
    C) bringing
  4. _ Calixta and Bobinôt eat dinner together?
    A) Do
    B) Does
    C) Is
Answer Key:

1-B, 2-B, 3-B, 4-A, 5-B, 6-B, 7-B, 8-A

Chapter Four

Letters and Peace

That night, Alcé wrote a letter to his wife, Clarisse. He told her to stay longer at the beach if she wanted. He missed her, but he wanted her and the children to rest and be happy.

Clarisse was happy to get his letter. She loved him, but she also enjoyed her time alone. It felt like the old days before marriage. She smiled and breathed freely.

And so, the storm passed—and everyone was happy.

— THE END –

The Original Version of the Story: americanliterature.com

Chapter 4 – Vocabulary.

  1. Letter /ˈletər/ — a written message sent to someone
    Example: That night, Alcé wrote a letter to his wife, Clarisse.
  2. Wife /waɪf/ — a married woman
    Example: That night, Alcé wrote a letter to his wife, Clarisse.
  3. Miss /mɪs/ — to feel sad because someone is not with you
    Example: He missed her, but he wanted her and the children to rest and be happy.
  4. Children /ˈtʃɪldrən/ — young sons or daughters
    Example: He wanted her and the children to rest and be happy.
  1. Rest /rest/ — to relax and stop working
    Example: He wanted her and the children to rest and be happy.
  2. Happy /ˈhæpi/ — feeling good and pleased
    Example: Clarisse was happy to get his letter.
  3. Alone /əˈləʊn/ — without other people
    Example: She loved him, but she also enjoyed her time alone.
  4. Breathe /briːð/ — to take air in and out of your lungs
    Example: She smiled and breathed freely.

Chapter 4 – Comprehension Questions

  1. Who does Alcé write a letter to?
  2. What does Alcé tell Clarisse to do?
  3. Does Alcé miss Clarisse?
  4. Who does Alcé want to rest and be happy?
  1. How does Clarisse feel when she gets the letter?
  2. Does Clarisse love Alcé?
  3. How does Clarisse feel when she is alone?
  4. What happens after the storm passes?

Chapter 4 – Grammar Exercises

  1. Alcé _ a letter to his wife.
    A) write
    B) writes
    C) writing
  2. He _ Clarisse to stay longer at the beach.
    A) tell
    B) tells
    C) telling
  3. Alcé _ his wife.
    A) miss
    B) misses
    C) missing
  4. He wants the children to _ happy.
    A) be
    B) is
    C) are
  1. Clarisse _ happy to get his letter.
    A) feel
    B) feels
    C) feeling
  2. She _ Alcé.
    A) love
    B) loves
    C) loving
  3. Clarisse _ her time alone.
    A) enjoy
    B) enjoys
    C) enjoying
  4. _ the storm pass?
    A) Do
    B) Does
    C) Is
Answer Key:

1-B, 2-B, 3-B, 4-A, 5-B, 6-B, 7-B, 8-B

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