State Trooper Volunteers to Look after Barista’s Baby

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Category: Human Interest

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. frantically / ˈfræn tɪk ə li / (adv) – in an uncontrolled manner
    Example:

    The mother frantically called the police after realizing that her son was missing.


  2. go out of (one’s) way / goʊ aʊt ʌv weɪ / (idiom) – to do more than what is needed
    Example:

    The kind stranger went out of his way to buy a meal for the homeless woman.


  3. take center stage / teɪk ˈsɛn tər steɪdʒ / (idiom) – to receive a lot of attention
    Example:

    The police are finally taking center stage for their bravery.


  4. tend to / tɛnd tu / (phrasal) – to deal with something or address one’s needs
    Example:

    The nurse tended to the injured patient.


  5. shoulder / ˈʃoʊl dər / (v) – to accept one’s responsibility
    Example:

    The company will shoulder all health-related expenses of the employees.


Article

Read the text below.

A North Carolina state trooper has earned praise for volunteering to babysit a barista’s baby.


One morning, part-time Starbucks barista Shantaphae Blakes frantically called her boss, Harper Spell, to inform the latter that nobody was around to look after her daughter, Dilynn. Spell told Blakes that she can bring Dilynn to work and assured her that they would take care of the child. When Blakes arrived, Spell kept Dilynn occupied by letting her play and by feeding her.


A few moments later, state trooper and regular Starbucks customer Brad Marshall came in for his daily dose of coffee. Hearing about Blakes’ situation, he offered to look after Dilynn. The thoughtful trooper even went out of his way to buy Dilynn a cup she could play with.


The trooper’s gesture left Blakes genuinely grateful. Spell was also touched by Marshall’s thoughtfulness, so she shared the heartwarming moment on Facebook along with a photo of the trooper with Dilynn. She also expressed her thrill for the troopers who are finally taking center stage for their kind deeds.


Aside from Brad Marshall, two other state troopers have also earned praise for their acts of kindness.


Washington state trooper Brian Zillmer caught the public’s attention after he tended to a homeless man. The trooper bought breakfast for the man and shouldered his $144 bus ticket to help him get to his sister.


On a similar note, Massachusetts state trooper Luke Bonin bought a meal for a beggar he spotted on the side of the road. A kindergarten class even invited Bonin for lunch after seeing the photo of the trooper eating with the beggar.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• If you were Dilynn’s parent, would you entrust her to a stranger? Why or why not?
• If you were Brad Marshall, would you volunteer to look after Dilynn? Why or why not?

Discussion B

• Why is it important to recognize other people’s acts of kindness?
• In what ways can you express appreciation for acts of kindness (e.g. posting about them on social media)?