Choosing a Shelter Dog
A free A1-level English story for language learners, readable online in English, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Salma must choose between two very different shelter dogs for her family.
Salma's family decides to adopt a dog. They visit the animal shelter together. Two dogs make Salma stop and look.
One dog is small, calm, and quiet. The other dog is big and full of energy. Salma cannot decide between the two dogs.
The small dog sits calmly by her feet. The big dog jumps and wags its tail. Both dogs seem to want a home.
Salma walks around the shelter a little. She looks at other dogs in their cages. Her mind keeps returning to these two.
Salma asks the shelter worker for advice. "Think about your daily life," the worker says. "Which dog fits your family better?"
Salma thinks about her small apartment. She thinks about her short daily walks. She thinks about her busy school week too.
The calm, small dog seems like a better fit. She sits down next to the small dog. It rests its head on her lap.
The big dog barks once from its cage. Salma smiles and looks over at it. Maybe another family will choose him soon.
She clips a new leash onto the small dog's collar.
