A story to share together
Idris and the Market Harvest
Idris visits Mrs. Okafor at the neighborhood market with ten wooden tokens to gather ingredients for a family fruit salad, learning to count and compare quantities to make the best choices.
Page 1
The morning sun warms the neighborhood market. Idris skips toward the colorful stall, clutching ten smooth wooden tokens in his palm. Mrs. Okafor waves from behind mounds of fresh fruit. Today, he must gather ingredients for a big fruit salad. He feels excited to pick the perfect pieces for his family.
Page 2
Mrs. Okafor points to the bright green limes. Idris holds up three tokens. If he takes three limes, he will have seven tokens left. He looks at the limes and then at his tokens. He decides three limes are just enough for the tart flavor his mother loves. He trades three tokens.
Page 3
Next, Idris spots the round, juicy plums. He has seven tokens remaining. He wants many plums. If he chooses four plums, he will have three left. He compares the pile of four plums to the pile of three limes. The plums are larger, so he thinks four will be plenty for the bowl.
Page 4
Idris hands over four tokens for the plums. He counts his remaining tokens carefully. He has three tokens left in his hand. He needs to save enough for the sweet melons. He wonders if he has enough to get everything he needs. He smiles at Mrs. Okafor, who nods encouragingly.
Page 5
Mrs. Okafor shows him the large, yellow melons. They look heavy and sweet. Idris holds his three tokens. He sees that one melon costs two tokens. If he buys one, he will have only one token left. He considers if one melon is enough to fill the salad bowl up high.
Page 6
He looks at the limes and plums already in his basket. They make a colorful group. If he adds the melon, the salad will be perfect. He trades two tokens for the melon. Now he has only one token left. He feels very proud of his careful counting and planning today.
Page 7
Only one token remains in his hand. Mrs. Okafor points to a small basket of mint leaves. She says one token will buy the whole bunch. Idris thinks about the fresh scent of mint in the salad. It is the final ingredient he needs to make the dish truly special for everyone.
Page 8
He trades his very last token for the mint. Now his basket is full of limes, plums, a melon, and mint. He has used all ten tokens exactly. He counts the items in his basket one last time to be sure. Everything is ready for him to carry home to his family.
Page 9
Mrs. Okafor smiles as she helps him balance the heavy basket. She tells him he is a very smart shopper. Idris feels tall and capable. He has chosen well, balancing the different fruits to make the best salad. The market is busy, but he feels calm and ready for the walk home.
Page 10
Idris walks away from the stall, his basket full and his heart light. He knows exactly what he will do when he arrives home. He will wash the fruit, slice it up, and share it with his family. It was a perfect morning at the market, and he has everything he needs.
