Multiple choice (longer text)

Last Saturday I woke up earlier than usual because I had promised myself I would finally start volunteering at the local animal shelter. I had walked past the building many times, but I always found an excuse not to go in. That morning, my stomach felt tight, as if I was going to take an exam. I kept checking my phone to see the time, even though I wasn’t late. When I arrived, I stood outside for a few seconds, listening to dogs barking behind the door, and I almost turned around.

A woman called Marta welcomed me and showed me around. The shelter was cleaner than I expected, but it didn’t smell like my home, and that made me feel a little uncomfortable. Marta spoke quickly, as if she had done this tour a hundred times. She explained the rules: wash your hands often, don’t open a cage without asking, and never promise to take an animal home. When she said that last rule, she looked at me carefully, and I understood she had seen many people get too attached.

My first job was simple: fill water bowls and put blankets in the washing machine. It sounded easy, but I felt clumsy. One small brown dog followed me with its eyes the whole time. Its name was Rico, and a card on the cage said he was found near the bus station. I talked to him quietly while I worked, even though I knew he couldn’t understand my words. When Marta asked if I wanted to take Rico for a short walk, my heart beat faster. Outside, he pulled the lead and then suddenly stopped, pressing close to my leg. I tried to act calm, but I was scared of doing something wrong.

Later, I helped in the cat room. It was calmer there, and I started to breathe normally again. A grey cat jumped onto my lap without warning and fell asleep. For a moment I forgot where I was. Then I noticed a boy about my age cleaning cages in silence. He didn’t smile, but he worked carefully, and I wondered how often he had seen animals leave and never come back.

When my shift ended, Marta thanked me and said, “See you next week?” I said yes quickly, before I could think too much. On the way home, I felt tired but lighter. I didn’t save any animals in one morning, and I didn’t become a hero. Still, I realised that showing up matters. I also realised that the hardest part is not the work—it’s learning to care without taking all the sadness home with you.