Matthew Learns a Lesson

Matthew was a sensible boy. He always kept his room tidy and had a natural literary aptitude. One day, he hoped to have a career in journalism. The adolescent spent much of his time reading and liked having privacy. But his quiet personality hindered his ability to make friends.

One day, Matthew went to the pharmacy to pick up some pills for his grandmother. He saw some boys leaning against a pole outside. One of the boys complimented Matthew. “ I like your jacket.”

Another boy asked, “ Do you want to go to Nate’s Restaurant?”

“ Sure!” Matthew said.

The boys walked to the restaurant. They were going to have slices of pizza. They ordered their food and drank soda with straws. They ate until their bellies swelled up. Matthew was having so much fun.

One of the boys said, “ Let’s leave without paying.”

Matthew didn’t want to. But he presumed his new friends wouldn’t like him if he didn’t.

Suddenly, the waiter yelled, “ Stop!” The two other boys ran, leaving Matthew there alone.

Soon, the police arrived. “ Leaving without paying for your meal is the same as stealing,” said the police officer. “ The restaurant wants justice. So next week you have to go to court and let a jury decide your punishment.”

When he went to court, the judge asked, “ Do you have anything to say, Matthew?”

He said, “ I feel sorrow for what I’ve done. Now I know that real friends won’t ask you to do something illegal.”

The jury then let him have his liberty. But they made Matthew pick up trash as punishment.

Much to Matthew’s surprise, he ended up meeting some new friends.

Part A: Mark each statement T for true or F for false. Rewrite the false statements to make them true.

1. _____ The adolescent had a natural literary aptitude.
   • _____________________________________________________
2. _____ The boy leaning against the pole complimented Matthew’s pills.
   • _____________________________________________________
3. _____ Matthew ordered a slice of pizza at the restaurant.
   • _____________________________________________________
4. _____ The boys ate too much, so their bellies swelled.
   • _____________________________________________________
5. _____ Matthew wants to work in the justice system when he grows up.
   • _____________________________________________________
6. _____ The jury allowed Matthew to keep his liberty, but he had to help in the community as punishment.
   • _____________________________________________________

Part B: Answer the questions.

1. Why was Matthew at the pharmacy?
   • a. He wanted some privacy.
   • b. He needed to buy straws.
   • c. He was buying pills.
   • d. He felt sorrow.
2. Which of the following is NOT a word used to describe Matthew?
   • a. Sensible
   • b. Optomistic
   • c. Rude
   • d. Tidy
3. Why did Matthew try to leave the restaurant without paying for his meal?
   • a. He didn’t enjoy the food.
   • b. He presumed his friends would like him.
   • c. He couldn’t find the waiter.
   • d. He didn’t have enough money.
4. Why did Matthew get to keep his liberty at the end of the story?
   • a. He complimented the jury.
   • b. He persuaded the jury he had learned his lesson.
   • c. He picked up trash as a punishment.
   • d. He hindered the jury from making a decision.