A letter after the lost keys

The idea

Follow both her hope of repair and her fear of causing more pain.

Read the text

Examples

• Last year, Lena blamed a volunteer for losing the garden keys.
• The volunteer left, and Lena later found the keys in her own coat.
• She was ashamed, but she kept quiet because she feared another argument.
• When the garden invited former volunteers back, Lena saw a chance to apologise.
• She felt hopeful about repairing the harm, yet worried that an apology might reopen the hurt.
• Lena wrote a letter admitting the truth and left the choice of a reply to the volunteer.

Watch out

Her hesitation does not mean she thinks the accusation was true.

Try it yourself

1. Where were the keys actually found?

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   her coat / Lena’s coat / Lena's coat / the coat

   her coat / Lena’s coat / Lena's coat / the coat: The keys were in Lena’s own coat.

2. What did Lena fear her apology might reopen?

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   the hurt / hurt / the pain / pain

   the hurt / hurt / the pain / pain: She worries the apology could bring back the volunteer’s hurt.

3. How did Lena communicate the truth?

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   a letter / letter / in a letter

   a letter / letter / in a letter: The letter admits what happened without demanding a reply.

Use it today

Explain why Lena leaves the decision to reply to the volunteer.