Six Peas, Please

Ages 6-9

Nechy waits at the pretend shop with a large basket.

Her friend carefully counts wooden peas into a paper bag.

Another customer sits down on the rug.

"I'll grow a beard before my turn," the customer says.

Nechy laughs. She holds an imaginary beard beneath her chin.

The shopkeeper puts down the bag. The fifth pea stays between her fingers.

Nechy lowers her hand.

She waits at her friend's side.

The shopkeeper looks into the bag. She touches each pea inside, then looks at the one between her fingers.

"Five."

She drops it into the bag and passes the bag to the customer.

Nechy steps up with her large basket.

"Six peas, please."

Her friend counts six peas into it.

Nechy carries the basket back to the rug, six peas rolling along its big bottom.