When My First Choice Isn’t Available
Two stories about a preferred choice being unavailableSocial Stories · Ages 19+ · Reading level: Year 4
Thomas: The basketball court is closed
Thomas has brought his basketball to school. He wants to practise shooting during activity time. Basketball is his favourite choice. At the court, he finds the gate closed and barriers around the surface.
“Why can’t I play?” Thomas asks his teacher, Mark.
“The court is being repaired,” Mark says.
“It isn’t safe to use today.”
Thomas holds the ball tightly.
“I was really looking forward to it,” he says.
“I know,” says Mark. “It’s disappointing.”
Thomas asks, “Will it be open tomorrow?”
“I don’t know yet,” Mark says.
“We can check with the office for an update.”
He does not promise a day before he knows.
Mark explains today’s choices: table tennis in the hall or a walk on the school path.
“I need a few minutes first,” Thomas says.
He sits on a bench with his ball beside him.
Mark stays nearby. Thomas does not have to decide straight away.
After a pause, Thomas chooses a walk with Mark. “I still wish I could play basketball,” he says. “You can still feel disappointed,” Mark replies. They agree to ask the office about the court later. Choosing a walk does not change how much he wanted to play basketball.
Sophie: A different lunch choice
Sophie is choosing lunch at the school cafe. She wants a cheese-and-tomato sandwich. It is the one she usually chooses. She looks in the display, but she cannot see any.
“Are there any cheese-and-tomato sandwiches?” Sophie asks.
“I’m sorry. They’ve sold out,” the cafe worker says.
“There aren’t any more today.”
Sophie feels upset.
“That’s what I wanted,” she tells Claire, her teacher.
“You wanted your usual lunch,” Claire says.
“Would you like some time before we look at the other choices?”
Sophie nods. They stand to one side of the queue.
She can take time and ask questions.
She does not have to choose the first thing someone offers.
When Sophie is ready, she asks what is available.
The worker shows her a cheese sandwich and an egg sandwich.
“What’s in the cheese one?” Sophie asks.
“Cheese and butter,” he says.
Sophie knows she likes those ingredients. She chooses the cheese sandwich.
Sophie takes her sandwich to the table.
“I wanted tomato in it too,” she says.
She can still be disappointed with the missing choice.
Asking what was available helped her choose a lunch she likes.
If none of the choices suited her, she could ask Claire for more help.