The Café Order Board

Chloe is helping at the school café. Marcus sets out the cups. Their first visitors will arrive soon. Chloe writes the drinks on a small board and puts it by the counter.

A visitor points at the board. “Is that tea or juice?” she asks. Chloe looks at her writing. The letters are small, and two lines are very close together. She reads the choices aloud.

Another visitor asks the same question. Chloe feels rushed. Marcus takes the next order while she looks at the board again. “I can read it here,” she says, “but not from the door.”

Chloe asks the café supervisor for a moment to fix it. She wipes the board clean. This time she writes three short lines in large letters. She leaves a space below each drink.

Marcus stands by the door to check. “I can see tea and water,” he says. “The bottom line is behind those cups.” Chloe moves the board to the clear end of the counter.

The next visitor reads the choices and asks for juice. Chloe pours it into a cup. She does not need to read the board aloud this time. There is more time to say hello.

Later, the café runs out of juice. Chloe crosses out that line neatly. Marcus checks the board from the door once more. Now the visitors can see which drinks they can still order.

At closing time, Chloe cleans the counter. The board has only a few words on it, but those words have helped everyone. She keeps the large writing for the next café day.