Graded story

Follow a French anecdote: the day I left my bag on the train

A B1 French anecdote with glosses, translation and questions. Follow the past routine, the forgotten bag, a flashback and the speaker’s reaction today.

In short

Follow an anecdote through its setting, turning point, result and reaction. Tous les jours gives a routine; un matin selects one occasion; la veille jumps back. A present comment such as aujourd’hui, j’en ris tells you how the speaker feels now.

B1 · a personal anecdote

Mon sac est parti sans moi

À cette époque, je travaillais près de la gare et je prenais le train tous les jours. J’avais toujours le même petit sac noir.

Un matin, je suis montée dans un train plein. J’avais un nouveau sac : la veille1, j’avais acheté un modèle plus grand pour transporter mes dossiers. J’y avais aussi mis mon portefeuille et mon téléphone. J’ai posé mon sac sur le porte-bagages et j’ai ouvert mon livre. En arrivant, je suis descendue avec le livre à la main. C’est seulement sur le quai que j’ai compris : mon sac était encore dans le train !

Je suis allée au guichet. L’agent m’a demandé de décrire le sac, puis il a appelé son collègue à la gare suivante. Pendant qu’on attendait, j’étais vraiment inquiète. Heureusement2, une voyageuse avait signalé le sac. L’agent m’a expliqué comment le récupérer. Deux heures plus tard, je l’avais de nouveau avec moi.

Aujourd’hui, j’en ris3, mais sur le moment4, j’étais paniquée. Depuis ce jour-là, je regarde toujours au-dessus de mon siège avant de descendre.

Read it in English

At that time, I worked near the station and took the train every day. I always had the same small black bag.

One morning, I got on a crowded train. I had a new bag: the day before, I had bought a bigger one to carry my files. I had also put my wallet and phone in it. I put my bag on the luggage rack and opened my book. On arrival, I got off with the book in my hand. Only on the platform did I realise: my bag was still on the train!

I went to the ticket counter. The staff member asked me to describe the bag, then called his colleague at the next station. While we waited, I was really worried. Fortunately, a passenger had reported the bag. He explained how to collect it. Two hours later, I had it with me again.

I laugh about it now, but at the time I was panicking. Since that day, I always look above my seat before getting off.

Four objects to keep track of

Time of telling and time of the event
Story markerRoleTime
tous les joursBackground routineRepeated journeys in that period
la veilleFlashbackThe day before the incident
un matinMain incidentOne journey within the routine
deux heures plus tardResolutionLater that day
aujourd’huiCurrent reactionThe time of telling
Question 1No account needed
When did the narrator buy the larger bag?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

On the day before the incident.. La veille places the purchase before the morning when the bag was left behind.

Question 2No account needed
What did she have with her when she stepped off the train?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Her book.. She got off with the book in her hand; the bag, wallet and phone stayed on the train.

Question 3No account needed
Which reaction belongs to the time of telling?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

She laughs about the incident.. Aujourd’hui, j’en ris gives her current reaction; sur le moment introduces her past panic.