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Mateo loved working in the community garden. He went there every morning. He grew tomatoes, beans, and herbs. One day, the garden shop lent him a . The was new and shiny. Mateo was very happy to use it. He carried it carefully to his plot. He started to dig the soil. The soil was hard and dry. Mateo pushed the down hard. Suddenly, the broke. Mateo stopped and looked at it. He felt worried. He did not want to keep a broken . He decided to it to the shop. Mateo walked back to the garden shop.
He held the broken in both hands. There was a woman at the counter. Her name was Rosa. She smiled at Mateo. "Good morning," she said. "How can I help you?" Mateo spoke slowly and . "Excuse me," he said. "I borrowed this this morning. The broke when I used it. I am very sorry." Rosa looked at the . She was not angry. "Thank you for bringing it back," she said. "Can you tell me what happened?" Mateo explained again. He was calm and clear. Rosa listened carefully to him. Rosa checked the .
She saw that the was old inside. "This was not your ," she said kindly. "The wood was already weak." Mateo felt . He smiled at Rosa. "Thank you for understanding," he said. Rosa went to the back of the shop. She came back with a new . "Please take this one," she said. "It is strong and good." Mateo thanked her again. He felt happy and . He walked back to his plot. He used the new carefully. The soil was easier to dig now. Mateo finished his work and felt proud. He learned that being polite always helps.
a tool with a long handle and a flat blade, used for digging
"Mateo used a spade to dig the soil in the garden."
to give something to someone for a short time, expecting it back
"The garden shop lent Mateo a spade for the day."
the part of a tool that you hold in your hand
"The handle of the spade broke when Mateo pushed hard."
to take or give something back to the place or person it came from
"Mateo decided to return the broken spade to the shop."
in a way that is respectful and well-mannered
"Mateo spoke politely to Rosa at the counter."
feeling happy because something bad did not happen or ended
"Mateo felt relieved when Rosa said it was not his fault."
responsibility for something bad that happened
"Rosa told Mateo that the broken handle was not his fault."
feeling or showing thanks for something kind that someone did
"Mateo was grateful when Rosa gave him a new spade."
Excuse me
a polite way to get someone's attention or to say sorry for a small thing
""Excuse me," said Mateo, "I need to speak with you.""
How can I help you?
a phrase used to offer assistance to someone
"Rosa smiled and said, "How can I help you?""
I am very sorry
a phrase used to show that you feel bad about something
"Mateo said, "I am very sorry" when he returned the broken spade."
Thank you for bringing it back
a polite way to show appreciation when someone returns something
"Rosa said, "Thank you for bringing it back" to Mateo."
This was not your fault
a phrase used to tell someone they are not responsible for something bad
"Rosa told Mateo, "This was not your fault.""
Thank you for understanding
a phrase used to show gratitude when someone is kind and patient
"Mateo said, "Thank you for understanding" after Rosa helped him."
Can you tell me what happened?
a polite way to ask someone to explain a situation
"Rosa asked, "Can you tell me what happened?" when she saw the spade."
Please take this one
a polite way to offer something to someone
"Rosa said, "Please take this one" and gave Mateo a new spade."
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