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Lars works at a soup kitchen every week. He helps wash the dishes and clean the tables. He never talks to the people who come in for food. Lars is afraid of talking to . He does not know what to say. He feels when people look at him. His friend Mia works at the soup kitchen too. Mia always smiles at the and talks to them. She brings them soup and bread. She always looks happy. Lars watches Mia every day. He wants to be like her, but he is scared. One day, an old man sits alone at a table near Lars. The man looks sad and tired. Lars feels sorry for the man. Lars looks at the old man for a long time. He takes a deep breath.
His hands shake a little. He picks up a bowl of soup and walks slowly to the man's table. He puts the bowl down . The old man looks up at Lars. Lars opens his mouth, but no words come out. He tries again. "Hello," he says quietly. "My name is Lars. Can I sit with you?" The old man smiles a big smile. "Of course," the man says. "I am happy to have ." Lars sits down next to the man. His heart beats fast, but he feels okay. They talk for a few minutes. The man's name is Otto. Otto tells Lars about his life. Lars listens and asks small questions. It is easier than Lars thought.
After that day, Lars feels different. He is still a little , but he is not so afraid now. He starts to say hello to more at the soup kitchen. Some smile back. Some say thank you. A few tell him their names. Every week, Lars talks to more and more people. Mia sees the in Lars. "You are doing so well," she tells him. "I am really of you." Lars smiles and feels warm inside. He thinks about Otto and that first bowl of soup. He knows that the first step was the hardest. Now, Lars looks forward to going to the soup kitchen. He loves to help people and talk to them. He is glad he was enough to try.
feeling worried or frightened about something
"Lars feels nervous when people look at him."
a person you do not know
"He is afraid of talking to strangers."
a person who visits a place
"Mia always smiles at the guests and talks to them."
being with another person so they do not feel alone
""I am happy to have company," the man says."
doing something with a lot of attention
"He puts the bowl down carefully."
not afraid to do something difficult or scary
"He is glad he was brave enough to try."
feeling happy about what someone has done
""I am really proud of you," Mia tells Lars."
when something becomes different
"Mia sees the change in Lars."
take a deep breath
to breathe in slowly to help yourself feel calmer
"Lars takes a deep breath before walking to the man's table."
look forward to
to feel happy and excited about something in the future
"Lars looks forward to going to the soup kitchen."
feel sorry for
to feel sad because someone else is having a hard time
"Lars feels sorry for the old man sitting alone."
of course
used to say yes in a warm and friendly way
""Of course," the man says when Lars asks to sit down."
easier than I thought
not as hard as you expected
"Talking to Otto is easier than Lars thought."
warm inside
to feel happy and good about something
"Lars smiles and feels warm inside when Mia praises him."
the first step
the beginning of doing something new or difficult
"Lars knows that the first step was the hardest."
more and more
an increasing number or amount
"Every week, Lars talks to more and more people."
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