[LIFE ★]
PRIEST RESCUES RUNAWAY PIGLET
(P1) A RUNAWAY PIGLET that was chased by nearly a dozen strangers down a San Francisco street was seen safe in a FRIAR‘s arms after her CAPTURE outside a FRIARY DEDICATED to the PATRON SAINT of animals, St. Francis.
(P2) The pink and black pig stopped traffic.
(P3) Brother Damien Joseph said he ran outside when he heard there was a piglet running around the NEIGHBORHOOD.
(P4) He described the chase as lasting around 15 or 20 minutes and involving a suited businessman and a construction worker.
(P5) The businessman called a co-worker on his cell phone and said, “I’m going to be late. I’m chasing a pig.”
(P6) Brother Damien said that a construction worker caught the little female pig, which may be someone’s pet.
(P7) “She made quite the SQUEAL when she got caught!” he said. FORTUNATELY, wrapping her in towels seemed to calm her.
(P8) “The response of total strangers to protect this tiny helpless animal was HEARTENING,” the friar said.
(P9) No one has yet COME FORWARD to claim the piglet, Deb Campbell of the city’s Animal Care and Control department said.
(P10) The piglet is described as healthy, well fed, shy, and “really fast.” She is also LITTER BOX trained.
(P11) Campbell said many calls have come from the public asking if they can ADOPT her. Whoever owns her has five days to claim her before an adoption can happen.
(P12) One way or another, Campbell said, “it sounds like she’s going to have a great life!”
WORDS: 250
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
If you found the passage difficult to read or had problems understanding specific words or idiomatic expressions, please discuss them with your tutor. The following discussion questions should be answered in your own words and with your own arguments.
- Briefly summarize the content of the article in your own words.
- If this happened in your city, would you be interested in adopting the piglet?
- What are the positives and negatives of having a pig as a pet?
- Have you ever lost a pet, or found someone else’s lost pet?
- Why is it appropriate that the friary in the story is dedicated to St. Francis?
EXPRESSIONS TO PRACTICE:
What do the following expressions mean? Practice using each expression in a sentence; extra points if you can use it in conversation.
- Patron saint
- Come forward
- Litter box
