The Mysterious Neighbor | Slow English Listening for Beginners (A1 Level)

Added: 2026-06-01

[00:00:00]That house feels really strange. Like something about it doesn't belong here.

[00:00:13]It's too quiet. I haven't seen anyone come in or out at all today.

[00:00:20]>> Good morning, Amy.

[00:00:21]You look like something's bothering you.

[00:00:24]>> Yeah, I think about the house next door.

[00:00:27]Something about him doesn't feel normal, Ben.

[00:00:30]I can't really explain it, but it's unsettling.

[00:00:33]>> What exactly did you see?

[00:00:35]>> He never talks to anyone in the neighborhood.

[00:00:38]Not even a simple greeting or a nod.

[00:00:42]And he always wears that mask.

[00:00:45]Even when he's alone outside.

[00:00:48]It just doesn't feel right.

[00:00:50]>> Maybe he's just a very private person.

[00:00:52]Some people need space when they move to a new place.

[00:00:54]>> I understand that, but this feels different.

[00:00:58]I've only seen him outside at dawn or very late at night. Never during the day.

[00:01:04]>> Mom, do you think that new neighbor could be dangerous or something?

[00:01:08]>> I don't know, but the way you describe him makes me feel really uneasy. I need both of you to promise me something.

[00:01:14]Don't go near that house and don't try to investigate anything, okay?

[00:01:18]>> Okay, Mom. We won't.

[00:01:20]>> Hurry up, both of you. Hmm. Finish your breakfast quickly or you'll be late for school.

[00:01:29]>> Okay, Mom. We're eating fast.

[00:01:32]>> Yes, we'll be ready soon.

[00:01:34]>> Don't forget your bags. And no distractions this morning, all right?

[00:01:42]>> Yes, Mom. We got everything.

[00:01:45]We're going to school now.

[00:01:48]>> That house looks even creepier in the daytime.

[00:01:51]>> Please don't start talking about it again.

[00:01:59]>> Why would someone need boxes that big?

[00:02:03]Maybe we shouldn't stare at him.

[00:02:13]Why does he keep bringing strange things into that house?

[00:02:22]I think he's hiding something inside that house.

[00:02:27]Mom told us not to get involved.

[00:02:39]Something about this just keeps getting stranger and stranger.

[00:02:50]I still can't stop thinking about those giant wooden boxes. Me, too. They looked way too heavy to be normal furniture.

[00:02:58]What if he's hiding something alive inside the house? Tom, please don't say creepy things this early in the morning.

[00:03:06]Imagine if there's a giant monster sleeping in one of those crates.

[00:03:10]That's exactly why I don't want to think about it.

[00:03:14]Or maybe he built some kind of secret robot in there.

[00:03:18]A robot doesn't explain why he hides his face all the time.

[00:03:22]What if he wears the mask because he's sick or something?

[00:03:27]Then why would he only come outside at night?

[00:03:31]Maybe he doesn't want anyone to recognize him.

[00:03:35]That honestly sounds even scarier.

[00:03:38]What if he used to be some kind of criminal? Tom, stop making everything sound like a horror movie.

[00:03:45]Maybe he just has scars on his face and feels uncomfortable around people.

[00:03:49]Then why does he keep hiding those strange boxes?

[00:03:53]I swear there's a secret room somewhere inside that house.

[00:03:57]You've been watching too many mystery videos online.

[00:04:01]Still, I do think he's hiding something from the neighborhood. Exactly. Nobody acts that strange for no reason.

[00:04:09]What if those boxes are full of stolen things?

[00:04:13]Then why would he bring them in during daylight sometimes?

[00:04:17]I really hope mom is wrong about him being dangerous. Yeah, um but I also really want to know the truth.

[00:04:25]Maybe we should just take one quick look after school.

[00:04:29]Mom literally told us not to go near that house. We wouldn't go inside. Just look from outside for a minute.

[00:04:37]That's exactly how scary stories always begin. After school, let's just see what he's really hiding.

[00:04:46]I already have a bad feeling about this.

[00:04:49]This house gets messy so quickly every single morning.

[00:04:58]I just cleaned this room yesterday.

[00:05:04]At least I can finish the laundry before the weather changes.

[00:05:12]Hopefully it stays sunny for a little longer.

[00:05:33]Oh, no. It's going to rain already?

[00:05:43]I need to bring those clothes inside right now.

[00:05:51]Come on before the rain starts pouring.

[00:06:06]Why did he act like he was hiding something from me?

[00:06:12]Why would he hide that box the moment he saw me looking over there?

[00:06:21]Maybe I'm overthinking this, but something still feels strange.

[00:06:31]Great, we're almost out of food again.

[00:06:35]Looks like I really need to go grocery shopping today.

[00:06:41]Milk, bread, vegetables, and probably snacks for the children, too.

[00:06:52]It's definitely going to rain any minute now.

[00:07:07]All right.

[00:07:08]Everything should be fine while I'm gone.

[00:07:11]I really need to shop quickly before the weather gets even worse out here.

[00:07:19]All right, let's grab everything I need in one trip this time.

[00:07:27]Let's get some fresh lettuce and tomatoes before they're all gone.

[00:07:33]Tom and Lily always finish the carrots first, so I should probably buy extra today.

[00:07:40]Fresh bread would be perfect for breakfast tomorrow morning.

[00:07:49]We almost ran out of milk this morning, so I definitely need two cartons.

[00:07:55]Maybe I should grab one frozen pizza in case everyone gets hungry tonight.

[00:08:03]Tom and Lily are definitely going to ask for snacks after school later.

[00:08:09]This chicken should be enough to make dinner for everyone tomorrow.

[00:08:17]I completely forgot we were almost out of pasta sauce at home.

[00:08:23]I always come in for a few simple things and somehow leave with a full cart.

[00:08:28]>> [laughter] >> These apples actually look really fresh today, so I'll take a few more.

[00:08:40]I really hope the rain hasn't started pouring outside yet.

[00:08:47]Looks like you picked a busy time to shop before the storm. Yeah, I wanted to finish before the rain got too heavy outside.

[00:08:53]That's a lot of groceries for one trip today.

[00:08:57]I know, my refrigerator was almost completely empty this morning.

[00:09:02]At least you made it here before the weather turned bad.

[00:09:05]I saw those dark clouds earlier and rushed out of the house.

[00:09:09]Hopefully the rain waits a little longer for you.

[00:09:12]I hope so, too. I still have to walk all the way home.

[00:09:22]Looks like I barely made it out in time.

[00:09:31]I really should have brought the bigger umbrella today.

[00:09:39]We saw him lurking again.

[00:09:41]>> Have you noticed him, Amy?

[00:09:43]>> Unfortunately, yes. I've noticed him quite a few times already.

[00:09:48]>> People say he only leaves the house late at night.

[00:09:50]>> That's exactly what I noticed, too. And honestly, it feels unsettling.

[00:09:54]>> I heard trucks keep stopping at his house when nobody else is awake.

[00:09:59]>> I saw one this morning carrying huge wooden crates.

[00:10:04]>> Some people think he might be hiding dangerous things in there.

[00:10:07]>> I've been trying not to jump to conclusions, but it's hard not to worry.

[00:10:17]>> I've never even seen him smile at anyone around here.

[00:10:20]>> Neither have I. He avoids everyone completely.

[00:10:25]>> And today he acted nervous the second he noticed me watching him.

[00:10:31]>> That really doesn't sound normal at all.

[00:10:34]>> Something strange is definitely happening in that house.

[00:10:39]>> The more I hear about him, the more worried I become.

[00:10:45]>> You should be careful, especially with your family living so close.

[00:10:49]>> Believe me, I already warned Tom and Lily to stay away from him.

[00:10:53]>> I should get home before the rain gets even worse. See you both later.

[00:10:59]>> Why does that house suddenly feel even more frightening now?

[00:11:04]>> That house somehow feels even stranger after what those women told me earlier.

[00:11:17]At least I made it home before the rain got worse.

[00:11:29]What is that smell?

[00:11:32]It like chemicals or paint thinner.

[00:11:41]Why would there be such a strong chemical smell coming from that house?

[00:11:53]That smell is definitely coming from over there.

[00:12:17]What is that supposed to be?

[00:12:29]>> [gasps] >> What if they were right about him hiding dangerous things in there?

[00:12:35]That really looks like something I don't want to think that.

[00:12:53]Something is seriously wrong with that man.

[00:12:58]I knew there was a reason that house So, are we really going to check out that house after school? I still think this is a terrible idea, honestly.

[00:13:09]We're not doing anything bad. We're just taking one quick look outside.

[00:13:15]What if your mom was actually right about him?

[00:13:19]That's why we need to find out what's going on.

[00:13:26]See?

[00:13:27]The place suspicious even in daylight.

[00:13:31]Please stop acting like we're in a spy movie.

[00:13:34]If he catches us here, we are seriously in trouble.

[00:13:38]Relax. We'll leave before he even notices us.

[00:13:43]Do you see anything?

[00:13:49]Whoa, there's actually something happening down there.

[00:13:56]I can barely see anything from here.

[00:14:02]I knew it. He's building something weird down there. That does not look normal at all. It's What if he's secretly building some kind of giant robot? Tom, nobody secretly builds robots in their basement.

[00:14:23]I really think we should leave before he sees us.

[00:14:26]Just one more minute.

[00:14:46]Tom!

[00:14:47]I think he heard us.

[00:14:50]Run. Right now.

[00:14:59]I told you something terrifying was happening in there.

[00:15:03]We should never have come here in the first place.

[00:15:07]I told you something weird was happening in that basement.

[00:15:11]He almost saw us at the window.

[00:15:13]>> [panting] [sighs] >> Hurry up. What if he comes outside? What What's Why are you both so scared?

[00:15:22]>> We saw something really creepy next door.

[00:15:25]There were sparks and strange machines in the basement. And he started coming toward the window after my bag fell.

[00:15:35]This is starting to feel really wrong.

[00:15:39]>> What's going on in here?

[00:15:40]>> The children went near the neighbor's house.

[00:15:43]He was using some machine that shot blue sparks everywhere.

[00:15:48]And he looked straight toward us after the noise.

[00:15:52]>> I also found dark red stains near the fence earlier.

[00:15:56]>> Red stains?

[00:15:59]>> [sighs and gasps] >> I thought it looked like blood in the rain.

[00:16:07]>> Okay.

[00:16:09]This is getting strange.

[00:16:17]>> Ben, that truck is back again.

[00:16:26]>> Why are they unloading things this late at night?

[00:16:30]>> Please don't go over there tonight.

[00:16:35]>> I just want to talk to him.

[00:16:37]>> The woman down the street said trucks keep bringing strange things there after midnight.

[00:16:42]>> People in quiet neighborhoods gossip about everything, Amy.

[00:16:45]>> They think he might be hiding dangerous things inside that house.

[00:16:50]>> Or maybe he just works unusual hours.

[00:16:53]>> I saw him hide that metal box the second he noticed me watching.

[00:16:57]>> That still doesn't prove he's dangerous.

[00:17:00]>> Then why act so nervous all the time?

[00:17:03]>> Some people just don't like attention.

[00:17:07]>> He barely speaks to anyone and always keeps his face covered.

[00:17:12]>> That doesn't automatically make him a criminal.

[00:17:14]>> The The neighborhood is scared of those huge crates and strange noises.

[00:17:19]>> Fear spreads fast when nobody knows the truth.

[00:17:23]>> We can't just sit here pretending everything is normal anymore.

[00:17:26]>> I'm not pretending.

[00:17:28]I'm trying to stay reasonable.

[00:17:30]>> Every night there's dragging sounds coming from that house.

[00:17:34]>> Maybe he's moving furniture or equipment around.

[00:17:39]Have you actually seen him hurt anyone?

[00:17:43]>> No, but something still feels wrong.

[00:17:47]What about those dark red stains near the fence?

[00:17:50]>> It could have been paint or something harmless.

[00:17:56]>> You didn't see the way he looked at me earlier.

[00:18:00]>> Maybe he thought you were spying on him.

[00:18:03]>> We need more than rumors before calling the police.

[00:18:07]>> So, we're supposed to ignore all of this?

[00:18:11]What if he's just repairing old furniture or running a small business?

[00:18:15]>> Then why hide everything from the neighborhood?

[00:18:19]I'm tired of feeling nervous every time I look outside.

[00:18:23]>> I understand that, but we still need facts.

[00:18:34]>> See?

[00:18:35]Another truck at this hour.

[00:18:39]>> All right, now I want answers, too.

[00:18:42]>> This doesn't feel safe, Ben.

[00:18:45]>> I'll be careful.

[00:18:56]We need to talk for a minute.

[00:19:11]What are you doing there every night?

[00:19:18]People around here are getting worried about all this.

[00:19:23]>> [sighs and gasps] >> I think there's been a misunderstanding.

[00:19:36]Why don't you come inside for a minute?

[00:19:38]All right.

[00:19:50]Wait. This is a workshop?

[00:19:59]I restore old furniture and sell it online.

[00:20:04]So, those crates were full of furniture?

[00:20:08]Uh, most of these pieces arrive damaged or taken apart already.

[00:20:12]Oh, I see.

[00:20:15]And those metal cases?

[00:20:20]Just my air compressor and repair tools.

[00:20:23]That's what all the noise was?

[00:20:26]>> [laughter] >> The sparks come from sanding and metal repair work.

[00:20:34]So, the red stains outside were just paint?

[00:20:38]Wood stain and varnish.

[00:20:40]One of the cans spilled during the rain.

[00:20:47]I usually work late because it's quieter at night.

[00:20:52]That explains the truck deliveries, too.

[00:20:57]Most delivery drivers only come after business hours.

[00:21:03]I think the whole neighborhood got the wrong idea.

[00:21:08]I probably should have introduced myself sooner.

[00:21:11]Yeah, that might have helped a little.

[00:21:13]>> [laughter] >> Uh I guess I should properly introduce myself.

[00:21:33]My name's John.

[00:21:34]>> Jan?

[00:21:34]>> Ben.

[00:21:35]Nice to finally meet you.

[00:21:39]I only moved here a few weeks ago.

[00:21:42]Yeah, people notice pretty quickly.

[00:21:45]I've been overloaded with customer orders since the move.

[00:21:50]So, you barely had time to settle in.

[00:21:54]Most days I just work, unload deliveries, and keep going.

[00:22:02]That explains the crates and all the late-night noise.

[00:22:07]I probably looked suspicious without realizing it.

[00:22:10]Honestly? Yeah, a little.

[00:22:12]>> [laughter] >> I'm not very good at social stuff.

[00:22:18]First impressions around here matter a lot.

[00:22:24]I didn't mean to make everyone uncomfortable.

[00:22:28]>> [music] >> People just didn't understand what was happening here.

[00:22:33]Maybe I should finally introduce myself properly to everyone.

[00:22:38]Do you think the neighbors would come to a small welcome gathering?

[00:22:43]I think most of them would actually.

[00:22:48]I could clean up the yard and prepare some food this weekend.

[00:22:53]That would probably calm everyone down pretty fast.

[00:22:58]I just needed someone to help me break the ice around here.

[00:23:03]All right. I'll help you talk to the neighborhood tomorrow.

[00:23:07]I'd really appreciate that.

[00:23:19]>> Ben, what happened over there?

[00:23:22]>> You're not going to believe this.

[00:23:24]The neighbor isn't dangerous at all.

[00:23:27]>> Wait, seriously?

[00:23:30]>> His name is John and he's actually a furniture restorer.

[00:23:33]>> So, the basement wasn't some secret lab?

[00:23:35]>> No, just a woodworking shop full of old furniture.

[00:23:39]>> Then the sparks came from tools?

[00:23:41]>> Yeah, sanding tools and repair machines.

[00:23:45]>> Oh, no. We completely misunderstood him.

[00:23:50]So, the red stains weren't blood either?

[00:23:53]>> Just wood stain and spilled paint.

[00:23:55]>> [laughter] >> I feel terrible for judging him so quickly.

[00:24:01]And we snuck around his house like detectives.

[00:24:05]Mhm.

[00:24:06]We probably scared him, too.

[00:24:10]>> Honestly, he seemed like a pretty nice guy.

[00:24:13]>> Mhm.

[00:24:14]That makes me feel even worse.

[00:24:17]>> He said he's been too busy with work to meet the neighbors properly.

[00:24:21]>> So, all those crates were just furniture deliveries?

[00:24:25]>> Old tables, chairs, sofas, nothing dangerous.

[00:24:29]>> Wow, we imagined something completely different.

[00:24:35]The house doesn't feel scary anymore now that we know the truth.

[00:24:40]>> John actually wants to meet everyone this weekend.

[00:24:44]>> Really? That's a good idea.

[00:25:11]>> Morning Ben. Sorry for showing up this early.

[00:25:14]>> Oh, hey John. Come on in.

[00:25:17]>> I brought a little thank you gift for your family.

[00:25:22]>> You really didn't have to do that.

[00:25:31]The family is going to love this.

[00:25:34]Actually, I wanted to ask you something.

[00:25:39]>> Sure, what is it?

[00:25:40]>> I still want to host that small welcome gathering this weekend.

[00:25:45]>> Yeah, I think that's a great idea.

[00:25:48]>> I was hoping you and your wife could help invite everyone.

[00:25:52]>> We can definitely help with that.

[00:25:55]>> Oh, good morning.

[00:25:57]>> Morning.

[00:25:58]>> Morning.

[00:26:00]>> Good morning. I'm John, your neighbor next door.

[00:26:03]>> I'm Amy. Nice to finally meet you properly.

[00:26:07]>> Amy, this is the guy I told you about last night.

[00:26:10]>> Right, the furniture restorer.

[00:26:13]>> [laughter] >> I guess I accidentally scared the whole neighborhood.

[00:26:17]>> Honestly, uh we misunderstood a lot of things.

[00:26:22]I'm sorry for assuming the worst about you.

[00:26:25]>> It's okay.

[00:26:27]I probably looked suspicious.

[00:26:30]>> People here just aren't used to mystery deliveries at midnight.

[00:26:34]>> Yeah, I can see that now.

[00:26:37]I thought a neighborhood gathering might help clear things up.

[00:26:41]>> I think everyone would appreciate that.

[00:26:45]We could help decorate the yard a little, too.

[00:26:49]>> That would be amazing.

[00:26:52]I'll talk the neighbors after work today.

[00:26:55]Thanks, Ben. I really appreciate it.

[00:26:59]>> This is actually a really thoughtful gift.

[00:27:02]>> [laughter] >> I wanted to make a better first impression.

[00:27:20]>> I can't believe we're helping him after thinking he was dangerous.

[00:27:24]>> Yeah, this feels really different now.

[00:27:27]>> Mr. John is hosting a small neighborhood gathering tonight.

[00:27:32]He wants everyone to come by and meet him properly.

[00:27:35]>> The new neighbor is throwing a party?

[00:27:38]>> Yeah, he's actually really nice.

[00:27:41]>> This place already feels much friendlier in daylight.

[00:27:46]>> Amazing what happens when people finally talk.

[00:27:49]>> I honestly didn't expect everyone to help this much.

[00:27:53]>> Trust me, the neighborhood loves a good gathering.

[00:27:56]>> This is going to look really beautiful tonight.

[00:28:02]>> Almost everyone said they're coming tonight.

[00:28:06]Even the neighbors who were scared before.

[00:28:20]>> Thank you all for coming tonight.

[00:28:23]Go ahead, everyone's listening.

[00:28:25]I wanted this gathering because I realized I never properly introduced myself.

[00:28:31]>> It's no problem, John. Welcome.

[00:28:34]>> I really want this neighborhood to feel welcome around me.

[00:28:38]>> [applause] >> So from now on, I'll repair furniture for anyone here for free.

[00:28:46]>> [applause] >> That is actually really generous of you.

[00:28:50]See?

[00:28:51]I told everyone he was a good guy.

[00:28:54]>> I feel bad for assuming the worst about him.

[00:28:58]>> At least we know the truth now.

[00:29:08]>> The workshop looks way less scary now.

[00:29:11]Now it just looks really cool.

[00:29:14]>> I made these wooden keychains yesterday.

[00:29:20]>> These are amazing.

[00:29:48]>> He really is trying to help everyone here.

[00:29:59]I'm sorry. We misunderstood you.

[00:30:02]>> It's okay.

[00:30:04]People usually do before they understand.

[00:30:08]>> I'm glad we finally got to know you properly.

[00:30:12]>> Me, too.

[00:30:15]>> The workshop door is open.

[00:30:18]Can we go look inside now?

[00:30:20]Wow.

[00:30:22]>> [panting] >> This place feels like a whole different world.

[00:30:33]I want to learn how to build things, too.

[00:30:36]>> [gasps] >> I can't believe we thought this place was scary.

[00:30:41]Now it feels kind of magical.

[00:30:47]>> Old things just need a little care sometimes.

[00:30:51]>> Just like people?

[00:30:53]I spent so much time being afraid of this place.

[00:30:57]Turns out it was full of good things all along.

[00:31:09]>> [laughter] >> Thank you for doing this for everyone.

[00:31:12]>> I'm happy to help however I can.

[00:31:15]>> The whole neighborhood feels different now.