Read the passage. Then answer the question that follows.

Antonio walked into the house. He was feeling overwhelmed, and just didn’t know what to do about his latest problem. His mom noticed his sad face and asked him to sit down. “What’s that cloud hanging over your head, son?” He just shrugged. “Been a bad day?” He nodded. She pulled her son closer and said, “Tomorrow is a new day.” He smiled. His mom had a way of talking in these silly expressions. They never meant what he first thought of, but they always made him smile.

“Has that new kid been walking around with a chip on his shoulder again?”

He chuckled out loud, picturing in his mind the new student walking around with a huge concrete block or some other “chip” on his shoulder. “Guess so….”

“Don’t beat around the bush with him anymore, son….just tell him how you feel.”

Antonio returned his mom’s hug, squeezing her as hard as he could.

“Mom, you sure do have a way with words.” The two smiled happily. “What’s for dinner? I could eat a horse.”

What is the purpose of the author’s first paragraph?