Learning Practical Spanish

By C J Singh

 

 

Newly arrived in Berkeley, J J Singh heads for the International Café near the campus. The girl behind the counter, wearing a black blouse emblazoned Guadalajara in gold stars, catches his eye. He orders Chai Indiano. For the three-dollar item, he hands her a hundred dollar bill and, looking into her eyes, says, “Please teach me Spanish.”

 

“Si, I teach you. Repeat loudly after me: ‘El’ (The) ‘Cambio’ (change) ‘va’ (goes) ‘aquí’ (here)” and puts the change in the Tips jar.

 

Seeing the shock in his face, she smiles, and counts the change back into his stretched palm. (105 words)