Polly at the Market

Berta kept her promise. At nine in the morning she was already knocking at the green door, basket in paw, and they walked together to the square where the Saturday market opens. The street smelled of oranges and fresh bread. "Good morning!" Polly called out at the first stall, and the whole row of awnings seemed to answer at once.

Berta drži obećanje. U devet ujutro već kuca na zelena vrata, s košarom u šapi, i zajedno odlaze na trg gdje se subotom otvara tržnica. Ulica miriše na naranče i svjež kruh. „Dobro jutro!” doziva Polly kod prvog štanda, a čini se da cijeli niz cerada odgovara odjednom.

At the fruit stall a goat in a striped apron was stacking apples into a perfect pyramid. Polly pointed at something green and spiky. "What is this? I have never seen this fruit." The goat laughed, cut a thin slice, and held it out. That is how Polly learned that in this neighborhood you taste first and decide later. "I want two apples and one of those, to try it."

Na štandu s voćem koza u prugastoj pregači slaže jabuke u savršenu piramidu. Polly pokazuje na nešto zeleno i bodljikavo. „Što je ovo? Ovakvo voće vidim prvi put.” Koza se smije, odreže tanku krišku i pruža je. Tako Polly uči da se u ovom kvartu prvo kuša, a tek onda odlučuje. „Želim dvije jabuke i jedno od onih, da probam.”

"How much is it all together?" The goat named a price, Berta nodded that it was fair, and Polly counted out the coins one by one, proud of every single number. "A bag, please. I have to carry everything home." On the walk back, with the bag swinging under one wing, Polly decided that the market would be a Saturday habit. Some lessons taste better than they sound.

„Koliko košta sve zajedno?” Koza kaže cijenu, Berta kimne da je poštena, a Polly broji novčiće jedan po jedan i veseli se svakom broju. „Vrećicu, molim. Sve to moram odnijeti kući.” Na povratku, s vrećicom koja se njiše ispod jednog krila, Polly odlučuje da će tržnica postati subotnja navika. Ima lekcija koje su ukusnije nego što zvuče.