Every Saturday, a busy market filled the town square. People walked between the stalls and talked loudly. There were bright flowers, fresh bread, and sweet fruit.

Lena worked at a fruit stall. She liked her job because she met many people. She smiled and said, “Good morning,” to everyone.

One cold morning, only a few customers came. The sky was grey, and the wind was strong. Lena looked at her table. There were apples, bananas, and one orange. It was the last orange of the day.

An old man walked slowly to her stall. He wore a thin coat and looked tired.

“How much is the orange?” he asked.

“It is one pound,” Lena said.

The man checked his pocket. He took out some coins and counted them. “I only have fifty pence,” he said quietly.

Lena looked at him. She thought for a moment. Then she smiled.

“You can have it,” she said.

The man looked surprised. “Thank you,” he said. “I have not had an orange for a long time.”

He took the orange and walked away, holding it carefully.

Later that day, a woman came to the stall. She was looking for fruit.

“I want to buy all your apples,” she said.

Lena was surprised. “All of them?” she asked.

“Yes,” the woman said. “My brother is ill, and he loves apples.”

Lena helped her put the apples into a bag. The woman paid and then said, “Thank you for being kind to my father this morning.”

Lena felt warm inside. “Your father?” she asked.

“Yes,” the woman said. “He told me about you. He was very happy.”

Lena smiled. She looked at her empty table and felt proud. It was a quiet day, but it was a good day.

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Vocabulary Notes

Stall
Meaning: A small table or stand where people sell things, often in a market.
Example: “Lena worked at a fruit stall.”
Similar words: stand, booth, counter, table

Customer
Meaning: A person who buys something from a shop or market.
Example: “Only a few customers came.”
Similar words: buyer, shopper, client

Surprised
Meaning: Feeling something because something unexpected happens.
Example: “The man looked surprised.”
Similar words: amazed, shocked, startled

Carefully
Meaning: In a way that shows attention and care, so nothing goes wrong.
Example: “He took the orange and walked away, holding it carefully.”
Similar words: gently, slowly, with care

Proud
Meaning: Feeling happy because you did something good or right.
Example: “Lena looked at her empty table and felt proud.”
Similar words: pleased, satisfied, happy

Story written by ChatGPT.

Image created by ChatGPT.

CC Music: Drifting at 432 Hz – Unicorn Heads.

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