Edith’s Market Change

Edith and Wallace visit the school craft market. Edith chooses a card with a blue bird on the front for her grandmother.

“That one is two dollars,” says the stallholder. Edith gives her a five-dollar note and waits while she looks for change.

The stallholder places a two-dollar coin in the dish. Then someone asks her a question, and she turns towards the next table.

Edith looks at the coin and then at Wallace. “I think there should be one dollar more,” she says in a quiet voice.

They wait until the stallholder turns back. Edith politely explains what she paid and points to the two dollars in the dish.

“You are right,” the stallholder says. She adds a one-dollar coin, and Edith counts three dollars of change altogether.

Edith puts the coins in her purse before picking up the card. Wallace holds the paper bag open so the blue bird will not get bent.

They thank the stallholder and walk to the next table. Edith has her gift and the right change, after asking a small, clear question.