The Extra Tomato

Mira was new in town. She did not know many people. Every Saturday, she went to the market.

She always bought four tomatoes from an old man, Ovid. Every week, Ovid put a fifth tomato in her bag. It was never pretty. Mira thought,"He feels sorry for me. Maybe I look lonely."

She did not like this. One Saturday, she gave Ovid a jar of jam."You don't have to give me extra tomatoes," she said.

Ovid laughed."They are not gifts. They are work."

He showed her an old notebook. Her name was on many pages."I grow new kinds of tomatoes," he said."Every week, you tell me about the tomato.'Too sour.''Very sweet.' You help me choose."

He showed her the last page. The new tomato was ready. Its name was "Saturday Mira."

Mira's face got warm. She was not only getting something. She was giving something too.

Ovid tasted the jam."Too sweet," he said."Bring me another next week."