First, study any unfamiliar words here:
| 🧀 melted 🧀 Definition: Changed from a solid to a liquid or semi-liquid state because of heat. The cheese melted on top of my pasta when I baked it. The ice cream melted quickly in the hot sun. 🍞 texture 🍞 Definition: The way something feels when you touch or eat it, especially regarding its surface or consistency. The texture of the cake was soft and light. I like the crunchy texture of toasted bread. 🚶🏻 wander 🚶🏻 Definition: To walk or move around without a clear direction or purpose. I often wander through the park to relax. She likes to wander around new cities when she travels. 🌏 entire 🌏 Definition: Whole; complete; with no part left out. He ate the entire pizza by himself. The entire class went on a field trip together. ♾️ endless ♾️ Definition: Having no limit or end; seeming to go on forever. They talked about their dreams for endless hours. The desert looked like an endless sea of sand. 👴🏼 wise 👴🏼 Definition: Showing good judgment, experience, and knowledge; having deep understanding. My grandmother is very wise and gives the best advice. It was a wise decision to save money for the future. 🐢 slows down 🐢 Definition: Becomes less fast; reduces speed; takes more time. The car slows down when it approaches the traffic light. He slows down his pace when he feels tired from running. 🪶 feather 🪶 Definition: One of the soft, light objects that grow from a bird’s skin and cover its body. She found a beautiful feather on the ground near the lake. The pillow was filled with soft feathers. 🔣 symbols 🔣 Definition: Marks or signs that represent ideas, objects, or processes. The math book has many symbols we need to learn. Different cultures use unique symbols in their art. 🤔 represents 🤔 Definition: To stand for or be a sign of something; to symbolize. A dove often represents peace. Each color on the flag represents a different idea. 🏯 tradition 🏯 Definition: A belief, custom, or way of doing something that has existed for a long time. It is a tradition in my family to have a big meal on Sundays. Japanese tea ceremony is an important cultural tradition. 🎯 focuses 🎯 Definition: Pays special attention to something; directs effort or thought toward a particular point. He focuses on his studies to prepare for the exam. The team focuses on defense during practice. 😋 satisfying 😋 Definition: Giving pleasure because it provides what you need or want. Eating a hot bowl of soup on a cold day is very satisfying. Finishing a project can be a satisfying feeling. 😊 joy 😊 Definition: A strong feeling of great happiness or pleasure. She felt pure joy when she heard the good news. Playing with puppies always brings him joy. 🔮 sacred 🔮 Definition: Considered holy and deserving respect, often because of a connection to a religion or spiritual belief. The temple is a sacred place for many people. Some families have sacred traditions they honor every year. 😢 tears 🥲 Definition: water that comes from the eyes when a person is feeling strong emotions such as sadness or great joy The old man cried tears of joy to see his old dog again. At the end of the movie, I had tears on my face. 👀 vision 👀 Definition: An idea or image in your mind of what something could be like in the future, or a vivid mental picture. She has a vision of starting her own business someday. In his vision, he saw a peaceful world without conflict. 🏃 rush 🏃 Definition: To move or do something very quickly, often too quickly. Don’t rush your homework; take your time. I had to rush to catch the last train. 😟 concern 😟 Definition: Worry or anxiety about a problem or situation. The health of her mother is a big concern for her. He showed concern when his friend did not arrive on time. |
Word Count: 1105
Reading Level: CEFR B2
Which Sandwich?
Tom is a young man who lives in a small town in Japan. Every morning, he walks to the convenience store near his home. He likes to buy breakfast there before he goes to work. The store is bright and clean, and there is always soft music playing. Tom enjoys the calm atmosphere. He feels happy when he smells the fresh bread and the warm coffee. He likes to look around at all the interesting items on the shelves.
One day, Tom stands in front of the sandwich section. He sees two choices: an egg sandwich and a ham and cheese sandwich. This is not a big problem for most people. But for Tom, it feels like a life-changing decision. He picks up the egg sandwich and studies it. Then he puts it back. Next, he picks up the ham and cheese sandwich. He wonders if it will taste better. He reads the label carefully, but the label does not answer his questions.
He cannot decide. He stands there for a long time, thinking about eggs, thinking about ham, and thinking about cheese. He wonders how each sandwich is made. He imagines the steps: fresh eggs, soft bread, sweet ham, melted cheese. He thinks about the taste and the texture of each sandwich. His mind starts to wander. He feels a strange energy in the store. The lights seem brighter. The music seems louder.
Suddenly, Tom closes his eyes. He begins to think about his life. He thinks about his family. He thinks about his friends. He remembers the fun times he had in school. He thinks about his dreams for the future. Then he imagines the entire universe. He sees stars, galaxies, and endless space. He feels very small, but also peaceful. A bright light fills his mind, and he feels like he is floating.
In his mind, Tom meets a wise figure. This figure looks like a Buddha, with a kind smile and gentle eyes. The Buddha speaks to Tom in a soft voice. “Why are you worried about your sandwich choice?” the Buddha asks. “Food is important, yes, but your heart is even more important. Listen to your heart, and you will find your way.” Tom feels calm. He feels like he is in a dream, but it is also real. Time slows down. He breathes slowly, and his body feels light as a feather.
Tom opens his eyes again, and the convenience store seems different. He still sees the two sandwiches, but now they look like symbols of life. The egg sandwich represents new beginnings, like the start of a new day or the birth of a dream. The ham and cheese sandwich represents comfort, tradition, and simple pleasure. Tom smiles because both choices seem special. They are just sandwiches, yet they feel like two different life paths. He feels a gentle breeze in the store, though there is no window open.
He decides to close his eyes one more time. He focuses on his heart. He remembers the Buddha’s words: “Listen to your heart.” Slowly, he breathes in and out. He pictures himself eating the egg sandwich. He thinks about the soft bread, the creamy egg, and the satisfying taste. Then he pictures himself eating the ham and cheese sandwich. He feels the savory ham, the warm cheese, and the simple joy. He tries to see which idea makes him feel more at peace.
After a long time, Tom finally decides on the egg sandwich. He picks it up with care, as if it is a sacred object. He walks to the cash register and pays for it. The cashier smiles at him and says, “Good morning!” Tom returns the smile. He leaves the store and goes to work. He takes small bites of his egg sandwich, enjoying each moment. He tastes the egg, the mayonnaise, and the soft bread. He thinks it is very good.
Later in the afternoon, Tom feels a little regret. He wonders if the ham and cheese sandwich might have been better. Maybe the ham and cheese sandwich was the correct choice, and he missed it. He tries to forget this idea, but it comes back again. He worries about it for hours. He thinks about going back to the store to buy the other sandwich, but he does not have time. He has to finish his work. He closes his eyes and remembers his strange, beautiful vision in the store.
He hears the Buddha’s voice in his memory: “Listen to your heart.” Tom takes a deep breath. He thinks, “I chose the egg sandwich. I made that decision. It was a good sandwich. I should not rush or feel sorry. Life is long, and there are many sandwiches in the world.” He smiles to himself. He feels more relaxed. He decides that next time, he will try the ham and cheese. Maybe it will be good too. But for now, he is happy with his morning choice.
That night, Tom cries deeply for three hours. Happy tears.
Over the next few days, Tom thinks about his experience in the convenience store. He remembers the feeling of floating and seeing the stars. He remembers the Buddha’s kind words. He remembers how a simple sandwich became something much bigger in his mind. He realizes that he often rushes. He sometimes gets worried about small choices. But he understands that life is wide and deep, like the sky. There is no need to rush.
When Tom walks to the convenience store the next morning, he looks at the sky. It is a clear day, and the sun is bright. He feels calm and ready for whatever the day brings. He laughs a little when he enters the store. He does not feel anxious anymore. He knows that if he chooses egg or ham and cheese, it is fine. Both are good in their own way. Both will feed him and make him happy. That is enough.
Tom buys another egg sandwich that day, just because he likes it. As he leaves, he takes his time. He pauses at the door and breathes the morning air. He feels grateful. He thinks, “In this moment, I am alive. I am here. I have a sandwich. This is a good life.” He remembers the theme he learned: “Take your time; don’t rush life.” And so he walks home, holding his sandwich, smiling at the clear sky, and feeling free in his own simple way.
He may have regrets tomorrow, but that is tomorrow’s concern. Today, he has his choice. Today, he has peace. And today, that is enough.
Questions about the story:
Why does Tom go to the convenience store every morning?
A) To buy a magazine
B) To buy breakfast before work
C) To meet his friends
Which two sandwiches does Tom have trouble choosing between?
A) Tuna salad and egg salad
B) Ham and cheese and tuna salad
C) Egg sandwich and ham and cheese
What unusual experience does Tom have in the convenience store?
A) He sees a movie star
B) He feels like he is floating and sees a Buddha
C) He falls asleep on the floor
What does the Buddha tell Tom?
A) “Hurry up and make a choice.”
B) “Listen to your heart, and you will find your way.”
C) “You should buy both sandwiches.”
Which sandwich does Tom finally choose?
A) Ham and cheese
B) Tuna salad
C) Egg sandwich
How does Tom feel after eating the egg sandwich?
A) He is completely sure of his choice
B) He regrets not getting the ham and cheese
C) He is bored with both sandwiches
What is the main lesson Tom learns by the end of the story?
A) Life is too short to make choices
B) Always buy more than one sandwich
C) Take your time; don’t rush life
Answer Key:
Why does Tom go to the convenience store every morning?
A) To buy a magazine
B) To buy breakfast before work ✅
C) To meet his friends
Which two sandwiches does Tom have trouble choosing between?
A) Tuna salad and egg salad
B) Ham and cheese and tuna salad
C) Egg sandwich and ham and cheese ✅
What unusual experience does Tom have in the convenience store?
A) He sees a movie star
B) He feels like he is floating and sees a Buddha ✅
C) He falls asleep on the floor
What does the Buddha tell Tom?
A) “Hurry up and make a choice.”
B) “Listen to your heart, and you will find your way.” ✅
C) “You should buy both sandwiches.”
Which sandwich does Tom finally choose?
A) Ham and cheese
B) Tuna salad
C) Egg sandwich ✅
How does Tom feel after eating the egg sandwich?
A) He is completely sure of his choice
B) He regrets not getting the ham and cheese ✅
C) He is bored with both sandwiches
What is the main lesson Tom learns by the end of the story?
A) Life is too short to make choices
B) Always buy more than one sandwich
C) Take your time; don’t rush life ✅
Conversation Starters:
Working with a partner or small group, please discuss a few of these questions, and try to reference the content of the story as much as possible. Also, please try to use any grammar or vocabulary that you are studying recently, and take notes when you hear a new word or learn a new way to say something.
- Have you ever struggled with making a small decision, like Tom did? Why do you think small choices sometimes feel so important?
- Tom’s experience in the store turned into something much bigger than just choosing a sandwich. Have you ever had a simple moment in life suddenly feel very meaningful? What happened?
- The story suggests that both sandwiches represent different aspects of life—new beginnings (egg) and comfort (ham and cheese). If you had to describe your personality as a type of food, what food would you be and why?
- Tom meets a wise figure in his imagination who tells him, “Listen to your heart.” What advice would your ‘inner wise figure’ give you about life?
- At the end of the story, Tom realizes that life is long and there are many sandwiches in the world. Do you think this is a good way to look at decision-making? Why or why not?
- Tom learns that there is no need to rush. In today’s fast-paced world, do you think people rush too much? How can we slow down and enjoy life more?
- If you could turn a small, everyday activity into a deep life lesson like Tom’s experience, what would it be? How could something simple teach us something meaningful?
If you are completing these conversations for a class activity, please share your group’s most interesting ideas and opinions with the rest of the class.
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