Reader 05
The Park Bench
After a strong wind, leaves and branches covered the walking path at a neighborhood park. Mr. Lewis brought a broom and began clearing it. Ana arrived with trash bags.
“I didn’t know a cleanup was planned,” she said.
“It wasn’t,” Mr. Lewis replied. “The path was getting hard to use, so I decided to step up.”
Ana opened a bag. “Then I’ll pitch in. You sweep, and I’ll collect the branches.”
A few minutes later, Devon approached on his walk. “What’s going on?” he asked.
“Mr. Lewis saw the mess and started cleaning,” Ana explained. “I decided to help.”
Devon glanced toward the clear part of the path. “It looks as though you have it under control.”
“We’re making progress,” Mr. Lewis said, “but there’s still plenty to do.”
Devon hesitated, then removed his jacket. “All right. I can help for a while. What should I do?”
Ana handed him a bag. “Could you collect the smaller branches? That would take a load off us.”
“Of course,” Devon answered. “I came to exercise anyway.”
By the time they reached the park bench, the path was clear. Devon smiled. “I’m glad I stopped. Helping was better than simply walking past the problem.”
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.
How does Mr. Lewis’s decision to begin cleaning influence Ana and Devon? Explain how an unplanned task becomes a shared effort.
Devon initially says they have things “under control.” What does this suggest about how he views the situation? How does Mr. Lewis’s reply challenge that view?
What does Devon’s final comment reveal about his change in attitude? Compare it with his earlier hesitation and explain what he seems to gain from helping.
LISTEN
Listen to the recording and respond in complete sentences.
What did the speaker say?
Do you agree or disagree with the speaker? Why?
