Reader 06
The Cold Soup
After a day of errands, Renee and her friend Julia stopped at a restaurant. Renee ordered soup, but after one spoonful, she set it down.
“What’s wrong?” Julia asked.
“It’s barely warm,” Renee whispered. “I don’t want to give anyone a hard time, especially when the restaurant is busy.”
“You aren’t giving anyone a hard time,” Julia replied. “You ordered hot soup. Just explain the problem politely.”
Renee hesitated, then raised her hand. When the server approached, he asked, “Is everything all right?”
“I’m sorry,” Renee said, “but this soup isn’t hot. Would you mind checking it?”
The server touched the side of the bowl. “You’re right. I apologize, and I’ll take care of it.”
“Thank you,” Renee answered. “I wasn’t trying to complain. I only wanted the soup to be hot.”
A few minutes later, the server returned with a fresh bowl. “Please be careful; this one is hot. Thank you for bringing the problem to my attention.”
Renee tasted it and smiled. “This is much better. I appreciate you fixing it.”
After he walked away, Julia said, “See? You were respectful, and he responded professionally.”
Renee nodded. “Next time, I won’t be so nervous about speaking up.”
VOCABULARY
Write the words or expressions from the story that are new to you or that you want to review.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Share your thoughts. Use details from the story to support your answers.
Renee apologizes and says she “wasn’t trying to complain.” What do these words reveal about how she views speaking up, and how does Julia challenge that view?
Besides replacing the soup, what does the server do to help Renee feel comfortable expressing her concern? Explain why his response matters.
How does Renee’s final statement show a change in her thinking? Which parts of the experience seem to have helped bring about that change?
LISTEN
Listen to the recording and respond in complete sentences.
What did the speaker say?
Do you agree or disagree with the speaker? Why?
