Episode 6: The Lost Phone

Hi there, and welcome back to Classes with Cass—the podcast where you learn English through stories! I’m your host, Cass, and today’s episode is all about unexpected adventures… and a lost phone!

In this story, you’ll hear vocabulary related to daily routines, problem-solving, emotions, and kindness. Listen carefully and see how many new expressions you can catch—and don’t forget, the full transcript is available on my website at classeswithcass.com.

Okay, are you ready? Let’s dive into today’s story.

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It was a busy Wednesday morning. Leo was running late.

He grabbed his hoodie, put on his backpack, and picked up the half-full cup of coffee he’d reheated twice already. With his other hand, he held a banana and his lunchbox. He looked like a walking breakfast buffet.

Outside, the bus was already pulling up to the corner. “No, no, no—wait!” he shouted, jogging the last few steps and getting on just in time.

He found an empty seat near the back and sat down, slightly out of breath. The bus pulled away, and Leo finally took a sip of his coffee.

Then, out of habit, he reached into his pocket for his phone. It wasn’t there.

He checked his other pocket. Nothing.

Was it in his backpack? No.

His lunchbox? Obviously not.

His banana peel? Definitely not.

His heart sank.

He froze for a moment and whispered, “Please tell me I didn’t leave it at home.”

The bus rolled on, and Leo stared out the window, trying to remember. He remembered unplugging it from the charger… didn’t he? Or did he leave it on the kitchen counter while making coffee? Or maybe… maybe he dropped it?

He started feeling a little anxious. How will I check the time? What if someone texts me? What if there’s an emergency?

He shook his head. “Okay,” he muttered, “one day without my phone. I’ll survive. Probably.”

At school, everything felt a little… off. He kept reaching for his pocket during breaks. When his teacher asked the class to look something up, he just sat there, blinking. And during lunch, he stared at the table while his friends laughed at something on their phones.

“Hey, you good?” his friend Max asked.

“Yeah,” Leo said. “Just… kinda off today. I lost my phone.”

“Oh man. Did you look everywhere?”

“Everywhere I could. I’m hoping I just left it at home.”

When school ended, Leo practically ran off the bus and burst through the front door.

He checked the kitchen.No phone. The couch cushions. No phone. His bedroom. No phone.

He even checked the laundry basket. Still… no phone.

He sunk into the couch and sighed. That’s when something clicked.

“The bakery!” he said out loud.

That morning, he had stopped by his favourite bakery on the corner and bought a chocolate chip muffin before the bus came. He remembered placing his phone on the table while he waited for his change.

Maybe… just maybe…

He jumped up, grabbed his keys, and ran down the street.

The little bell above the bakery door rang as he walked in. The warm smell of cinnamon and sugar filled the air. Behind the counter was Ava—the friendly cashier who always remembered his usual order.

“Hey Leo,” she said with a smile. “Back already?”

“Kind of. Um… did anyone find a phone here this morning? I think I left mine here.”

She tilted her head and asked, “Black case? Sunflower sticker on the back?”

“Yes! That’s mine!”

Ava went behind the counter and pulled out the phone. “One of the morning customers turned it in. I was hoping you'd come back.”

Leo took the phone carefully, like it was made of glass. “Thank you. Seriously. I thought I’d lost my mind today.”

“You’re not the first,” Ava laughed. “I once left mine in the fridge.”

Leo grinned. “Wait, how did that happen?”

“I was putting away groceries and talking on the phone at the same time. Then I got distracted and… yeah. Let’s just say my phone was very cold when I found it.”

They both laughed.

“Thanks again,” Leo said. “I mean it. I didn’t realize how much I depended on this thing until it was gone.”

Ava smiled. “We all do. But hey—sometimes it’s nice to unplug, even just for a day.”

As Leo walked home, he thought about her words. He had survived the day without his phone. He had asked for help. Talked to people. Even made a new friend.

That night, after dinner, he texted Max: “Got my phone back. Bakery had it. Long story. I’ll tell you tomorrow.”

Then, instead of scrolling through videos or checking notifications, Leo placed his phone gently on the nightstand beside his bed. And this time, he left it there. He picked up a book instead.

And for the first time in a while…He didn’t miss the screen at all.

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What did you think of Leo’s little adventure? Have you ever had a day without your phone—on purpose or by accident? Let’s take a moment to review some of the new vocabulary from today’s episode:

• Out of breath – Breathing hard because you were running or hurrying

• Sank – (past tense of “sink”) When your heart “sinks,” it means you suddenly feel sad or disappointed

• Off – Something feels unusual or not quite right

• Turned in – Given back to someone or something, like lost items turned in at a store or school

• Unplug – To disconnect from electronic devices or the internet

• Nightstand – A small table next to your bed

 Try saying these sentences out loud:

• “I think I lost my phone this morning.”

• “Everything felt a little off today.”

• “A kind stranger turned it in at the bakery.”

• “Sometimes it’s nice to unplug.”

Try to write your own short story about losing (and hopefully finding) something important. It could be real or made-up! What happened? Who helped you?

Thanks for joining me for another episode of Classes with Cass: The Podcast! I hope you enjoyed Leo’s story and picked up some helpful vocabulary along the way.

Remember—you can always listen again, follow along with the transcript, and repeat the words to improve your speaking.

If you liked this story, share it with a friend, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a new episode.

Until next time—keep learning, keep practicing, and remember: sometimes losing something leads to something even better.

See you soon!