Practice 3: Narrative (Revised)

  It was a fine morning, the sky was clear and the air was not hot or humid. I was

walking along the side of a commercial mall to go to the nearest public transport

terminal.  I passed by colorful window displays of varied items   sold inside the mall.

There were mannequins in different poses in colorful attires. There were huge pictures of

human models. I kept a slow pace so I can also look at the entertaining visuals. It was just

one of those days when I had to go to school.

 I was already near the public transport terminal when I noticed that I didn’t have

loose coins for my fare. I had P100 bill that would be difficult to change in a public

jeepney. In order to avoid the inconvenience, I decided to go back to the commercial

mall. I began to search for the nearest grocer. The stairs that led to the nearest store was

in the food court area. The way to the food court was dim and cool, along the mall's

sidewalk. I went inside the food court's heavy glass door and my bag was even inspected

by the security guard. I went further and reached the grocery area. I searched for an item

that I can use and less than P20 in value. Finally, I chose a bottle of mineral water worth

P18. It could quench my thirst and obtain loose coins at the same time.

  "Good morning, Ma'am." The cashier greeted as I handed her the bottle of mineral

water and my P100 bill. She punched the amount and it was displayed on the small

digital screen. She then punched the payment to obtain the amount of change. There was

a sound of a click and the moneybox opened to deposit the P100 bill. Furthermore, the

cashier took out some loose coins and smaller denominations of paper money as the

change. So, P100 bill less P18 for the bottled water equals P82 for the change.

 

P100-P18=P82

 

"Thank you for shopping, and come again." The cashier gave me the change and I

gladly received it. She placed the bottled water at the end of the counter for packing. I

was concentrating on the change and set aside some loose coins for the fare. I began to

walk away without realizing that I left the bottled water at the packing counter! I was

already near the public transport terminal when I felt uneasy. Suddenly, it dawned upon

me that I left the bottled water that I bought! I guess I was too preoccupied with my

change that I forgot the item.

  I felt I lost something as I boarded the jeepney. The reason was I bought a product

that I was not able to consume. It was also too late for me to go back because I would be

late for school. I decided to accept that unfortunate event as an important lesson for me.

Therefore, I should always be alert the next time I shop and keep an eye on my purchases

that I might leave behind.

 513 words