Every Saturday morning, Maria goes to the market in the old town. It is not big, but it has everything: fruit, vegetables, bread, cheese and flowers. Maria likes the market more than the supermarket. The food is fresh, and the people are friendly.
Her favourite stall is Paul's. Paul is an old farmer. He sells apples, potatoes and eggs from his farm. He knows all his customers by name, and he always asks Maria about her work and her family.
Today Maria wants two kilos of apples and six eggs. Paul puts them in her bag. Then Maria looks for her wallet, but it is not there. It is at home, on the kitchen table. "Oh no! I'm sorry, Paul," she says. "I can't pay today."
Paul smiles. "That's OK. You can pay next week. I know you, Maria."
The next Saturday, Maria comes back with the money and a small cake for Paul. He is very happy. "This is why I love this market," Maria says. "Here, people know each other."