Taking Turns

Recently, our church held a bazaar. I was asked to help out with the used book section. We were outside, under a plastic roof, with the books spread across a plywood sheet on blocks. All the books are 100 yen, which is roughly a dollar. Pretty cheap for Japan.

I noticed one old couple come up behind the people who were leaning over looking at the books. They were pushing one of the old people's carts are fairly common in Japan. Kind of like a shopping basket on low wheels, with a handle for walking, and often a top that you can sit on. This particular one had a metal basket and a green plastic top. She was wearing a well-worn skirt and top, and he had on a pair of baggy pants and a jacket fastened all the way up to his neck.

They pushed their little basket up behind the gathered people and talked for a moment. And he sat down on the basket while she came over and squeezed between people to look at the books. She very carefully looked at one end, then moved over and looked at others. After a while, she picked out one book and bought it. She refused a bag.

She went back to the basket and he got up. She showed him her book, and put it in the basket. Then she sat down, and he came over to look at the books. He had glasses, but took them off and peered closely at the books. He spent long minutes looking over all the books, fingering several. Then he picked one book, got out his money, and bought it.

Then he went back and showed her what he had gotten. They put it in the basket, and pushed it away.

I hope they enjoy the books. I know I was impressed with the way they gave each other time to look over the books and pick their own favorite.