A Story About Maine (Learn English and About American Culture)
Characters
Sarah — visiting Maine for the first time
Luke — grew up in Maine
Sarah looked out at the rocky coastline.
“Luke, this place is beautiful! The ocean, the cliffs, the lighthouses... it looks like a postcard.”
Luke smiled.
“That’s why so many people come to Maine.”
A lighthouse stood on a rocky point while waves crashed below.
“Do people ever get tired of this view?” Sarah asked.
Luke shook his head.
“Not if they're smart.”
They both laughed.
Lobsters Everywhere
Soon they stopped at a small seafood restaurant by the harbor.
Fishing boats floated gently in the water.
“So...” Sarah asked, “does everyone in Maine eat lobster?”
Luke smiled.
“Not every day. But we're definitely proud of it.”
Sarah ordered her first lobster roll.
After one bite, she smiled.
“Okay... now I understand.”
Luke laughed.
“I knew you would.”
Acadia National Park
The next morning, they visited Acadia National Park.
They hiked along rocky trails with tall pine trees and beautiful ocean views.
Far below, waves crashed against the cliffs.
“This is incredible,” Sarah said.
Luke pointed toward a mountain.
“That’s Cadillac Mountain. It's one of the first places in the United States to see the sunrise.”
Sarah smiled.
“I'd have to wake up very early.”
Luke nodded.
“That's the hardest part of the hike.”
A Funny Local Visitor
Later that afternoon, they saw a moose standing near the road.
Sarah whispered,
“It's huge!”
Luke nodded.
“They're much bigger than people expect.”
The moose calmly looked at them.
“I think he's judging us,” Sarah said.
Luke laughed.
“He's probably wondering why humans keep stopping to take pictures.”
The moose slowly walked back into the forest.
“I think we passed the inspection,” Luke said.
A Sweet Finish
Before leaving Maine, Luke bought two slices of blueberry pie.
“Maine is famous for wild blueberries,” he explained.
Sarah took one bite.
“This might be the best pie I've ever had.”
Luke smiled.
“People come for the lobster... but they stay for the pie.”
Heading Home
As they drove along the coast one last time, Sarah looked out at the ocean.
“When I thought about Maine,” she said, “I only imagined lobster.”
“And now?” Luke asked.
“Now I think of lighthouses, forests, rocky beaches, fresh seafood, friendly people, amazing parks... and one very serious-looking moose.”
Luke laughed.
“That sounds like Maine.”
Sarah smiled.
“I think I'll come back... but next time, I hope the moose remembers me.”