272. The Sandwich Hero (B1 Story)

Here is the script for today's B1 story:

The Sandwich Hero

In our town there used to be this chap, Tom. Every day, he sat near the market asking for coins or for a sandwich to eat. His clothes were dirty, and his hair was messy, I noticed he smelled a bit too. People didn’t pay him much attention. I couldn’t say I was fond of him, but I did feel sorry for him. He looked a bit depressed. I wondered if he’d had a difficult life. I used to give him money now and again.

I remember one cold winter morning, smoke began to rise from the baker’s in the High street. Soon, the fire filled the building. People just stood there watching. Quite honestly, I didn’t know what to do either. Where the baker was – I don’t know. Somebody called the fire brigade, but that was it. We all heard this crying sound from inside – a child crying. Then Tom appeared, and without delay, he ran into the burning building.

A few minutes later, Tom came out, coughing, with a small girl in his arms. The crowd clapped. The baker’s daughter was safe, thanks to him.

Then the fire brigade arrived. Fortunately, they didn’t need to save anybody. I think people felt ashamed of how they had felt about Tom. Now he was a hero. 

The baker, who had left the baker’s for change when the fire started, gave him a new coat and a place to stay.

From that day on, people greeted Tom with smiles instead of cold looks. He no longer asked for money in the street as the baker gave him a job in the shop selling sandwiches.

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