Helen takes order from adult customer at school café while Michael reads slip at counter.

The Café Order

School Readers · Level 12

Helen and Michael are helping in the school café. Helen takes an order for two cheese rolls and a cup of tea. She writes it on a slip and passes it to Michael. He reads it at the counter.

Michael holds order slip looking puzzled beside tray with two cheese rolls.

Michael puts two rolls on a tray. Then he looks at the slip again. “Is this tea or juice?” he asks. Helen’s last word is hard to read. She is already taking another order.

Michael politely asks Helen to clarify slip at café counter; she points to unclear handwriting.

Michael waits until Helen has finished speaking. He asks her to check the word. “I meant tea,” she says. “But we should check with the customer before we serve it.”

Helen confirms order with original customer, rewriting slip on small pad, Michael waiting at counter in background.

Helen goes back to the customer. “Two cheese rolls and one tea?” she asks. “Yes, please,” says the customer. Helen rewrites the slip clearly and gives it to Michael.

Teacher brings prepared cup of tea to counter, Michael places it with two cheese rolls on tray while Helen serves adult customer.

Their teacher pours the hot tea and carries it to the counter. Michael adds it to the tray with the rolls. Helen serves the order. The customer thanks them for checking.

Helen and Michael tidy café counter at end of shift, fresh blank order slips beside till, no customers or teacher.

At the end of their shift, they talk about the slip. “Clear writing saves time,” says Michael. “And asking is better than guessing,” says Helen. They put fresh slips beside the till for tomorrow.

The Café Order

Talk Together

Read together