Read and/or listen to the story, then check your understanding with the quick quiz below.

Daniel’s alarm goes off at 6:45 a.m., but he hits snooze—once, then again. When he finally opens his eyes, sunlight is streaming through the curtains, and it’s already 7:20.

“Oh no,” he groans. “Not again.”

He staggers to the bathroom, still half asleep. He brushes his teeth, splashes water on his face, and runs a comb through his hair so he doesn’t look quite so disheveled.

There’s no clean laundry left, so he pulls on the first shirt he can find. Unfortunately, it’s wrinkled, but there’s no time to iron it.

In the kitchen, he checks his phone while the coffee is brewing. His coworker Emma has texted: Don’t forget the meeting at 9!  “No time for coffee,” he mutters as he grabs his bag and rushes out the door.

The hallway smells like bacon from someone else’s breakfast, which makes his stomach rumble. Outside the city is waking up – cars are honking and people are walking dogs in the cool morning air. It’s a little chilly, but of course he has forgotten his jacket.

Daniel’s heart is pounding as he sprints toward the bus stop. As he turns the corner, he sees the bus pulling away.

“Wait!” he shouts, waving his arms like a maniac. The driver doesn’t see him, and the bus disappears down the street.

Daniel lets out a long sigh and sits down on the bench. “Perfect start to the week,” he quips.

Just then, a woman rounds the corner, clutching a travel mug. “I missed it, didn’t I?” she asks.

“Join the club,” Daniel says, still slightly out of breath. “Guess I needed my morning exercise.”

She chuckles. “Guess so. Are you on your way to work, too?”

“Yes,” says Daniel, “Assuming I still have a job when I get there. I’m running late and I’ve got a meeting at 9.”

The woman glances at her watch. “The next bus is in seven minutes; I think you can make it.”

“Fingers crossed,” Daniel replies. “How about you, what do you do?”

“Besides being chronically late?” she jokes. “I’m a graphic designer. But thankfully I don’t have any pressing deadlines today.”

They both smile. When the next bus arrives, they sit together near the window, still chatting. The morning stress evaporates as Daniel realizes that sometimes, being late isn’t the worst thing that can happen.

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