The Forgotten File
Listen To The Following Reading
It was the next afternoon when Jordan noticed the missing document. The client meeting was in thirty minutes, and the final proposal—the one he’d stayed up all night editing—was nowhere to be found. His heart began to race as he searched through his desk drawers, folders, and inbox. Nothing.
He ran through every possibility, retracing his steps. Then it hit him: he’d left the file on the shared drive but forgot to move it into the presentation folder. He swallowed hard. The clock read 2:17 p.m.
Across the room, his manager, Celeste, was reviewing notes with the team. Jordan debated whether to admit the mistake. He’d only been at the company three months, and this presentation mattered. But when Celeste asked for the final file, he couldn’t lie.
“I... forgot to upload it,” he confessed quietly.
The room went still. Celeste stared at him, then said calmly, “All right. Fix it.”
No anger, no lecture—just quiet direction. Jordan quickly retrieved the file, sent it over, and the meeting began on time.
Afterward, Celeste walked past his desk and said, “Everyone drops the ball sometimes. What matters is how you pick it up.” Her tone was measured but kind.
When she walked away, Jordan leaned back, exhaling deeply. The weight in his chest eased. He realized that accountability didn’t have to end in punishment—sometimes, it’s the start of trust.
How Would You Use The Following
Idioms
drop the ball – to make a mistake or forget something important
pick it up – to recover from an error or take responsibility
Phrasal Verbs
run through – to review or go over quickly
send over – to transfer or deliver something
Relative Time Expression
the next afternoon
Inference & Discussion Questions
What does Celeste’s calm reaction reveal about her leadership style?
How does Jordan’s choice to admit the mistake show growth?
What message does the story send about responsibility and trust?
How do the idioms reinforce the idea of recovery rather than failure?
How does tone and timing create the sense of quiet professionalism?
