Episode 6 · task
The General Store
On busy market day, Ramón struggles to serve multiple customers at once until Ñico quietly helps organize the queue, restoring peaceful order to the store.
Dawn Over the Village Square
Sunlight spills across the cobblestones like warm honey. The old ceiba tree stretches its branches wide, and the little fountain begins its soft morning song — plink, plink, plinkle. Shutters are still closed. Roosters haven't even finished crowing. But the stones are already golden, and the puddles from last night's rain catch the sky like tiny mirrors.
Ramón Opens Shop
Two wooden shutters swing open with a happy creak. Ramón stands between them, arms spread wide, spectacles catching the first bright rays. Behind him, every jar sits straight on its shelf. Every basket is full. He puffs out his chest and his tail curls up high like a little flag. Market day! His favorite kind of morning.
Ramón
Young shopkeeper, village social hub · Cuban Brown Anole
Ramón just took over the village general store and he's determined to prove he's got what it takes. This young brown anole with the oversized spectacles and the sharpest tongue in Veguitas turns every transaction into a performance — but behind all the bravado, he'd give you the last bag of rice off his shelf and swear he was just clearing inventory.
The First Customer Arrives
A small tree frog hops up to the counter, woven bag open and ready. Ramón gives a quick nod and a flash of his bright dewlap — hello and welcome! His hand finds the right jar without even looking. He wraps the dried herbs in brown paper, ties the bundle with string, and slides it across the wood. Smooth as butter. The frog drops a coin and hops away happy.
The Rush Begins
Then — everybody arrives at the same time. A parrot waves a list scratched on bark. A whole hutia family crowds in close. A little crab scuttles up with coins balanced on its shell. They all reach for the counter. Ramón's eyes go wide behind his spectacles. He grabs two jars — one in each hand — and looks down. Wrong jars. Both of them.
Juggling Act
Ramón moves faster. He wraps and weighs and writes and reaches — all at once. His tail swings behind him and bumps a basket on the low shelf. Limes! Green limes tumble and roll across the floor like little round runaways. Ramón's foot lands on one and he wobbles. The parrot holds up a bag of rice, confused. That's not what it asked for. Ramón's mouth opens in a small, round 'oh.'
The story deepens…
Ñico Approaches the Square
Out in the square, Ñico walks slowly from the orchards with a crate of golden mangoes on his shoulder. He stops under the ceiba tree. Something is happening at Ramón's shop. Two customers stand outside the door, peering in. From here he can see arms waving through the window. Ñico sets the crate down on the cobblestones, tilts his head, and watches for a long quiet moment.
Ramón's Frustration Peak
Ramón plops down on his stool. His spectacles sit crooked. His tail hangs limp off the back like a sad little rope. Everybody chirps and chatters and waves things at him. Two customers reach for the same jar of preserved fruit at the exact same time. Ramón pushes his spectacles up, takes one big slow breath, and blinks. Who goes first? He honestly does not know.
Ñico Steps In Quietly
Ñico ducks through the doorway, quiet as a cloud. He rests one big gentle hand on the parrot's shoulder and nods toward the left — over here, friend. The parrot settles. Then Ñico turns to the hutia family, touches the smallest one softly on the back, and they shuffle into a neat little row. One by one, without hurry, everybody finds a place. A line forms all on its own, like beads sliding onto a string.
Order Takes Shape
Now Ramón can breathe. He serves the parrot first — finds the right herbs, wraps them tight, marks the ledger with quick little scratches of his pen. Done! The parrot tucks the package under its wing and waddles out happy. Ramón looks over at Ñico by the door. Ñico gives one small nod. Ramón's tail starts curling up again, and his dewlap flashes — just a little — like a quiet thank you.
Smooth Sailing
Rice and beans for the hutia family. A pouch of salt placed very carefully on the little crab's shell. Each customer gets exactly what they came for — and a little something extra. Ramón tucks a bonus guava into the hutia basket with a sly wink. At the door, Ñico holds it open for the smallest hutia, who can barely see over the top of its basket. The shop feels like a song that finally found its rhythm.
As the day unfolds…
Last Customer Served
The last little tree frog hops away clutching a paper bag almost as big as itself. The shop is empty now. Ramón leans on the counter with both arms, lets out one long, happy sigh, and looks around. His shelves are nearly bare — a good sign. Dust motes drift through the slanting light. He looks across the room at Ñico, and his face softens into something warm and real. He pushes his spectacles up properly.
Ramón's Thank You
Ramón hops off his stool, walks straight to the mango crate, and picks up the most golden, most perfect mango on top. He holds it out with both hands — here, this one is yours. Ñico takes it in one big weathered hand and dips his head. Then Ramón reaches in again and pulls out a second mango. He holds it up with a grin. One for you. One for me.
Sharing on the Bench
They sit together on the stone bench under the ceiba tree, legs dangling — Ramón's much shorter than Ñico's. Each one holds a mango. Ramón bites in and tilts his head back, eyes half-closed, juice on his spectacles. Ñico takes a slower bite and watches the fountain trickle. Neither one says a word. The square drifts by around them. Sometimes the best part of a busy morning is the sitting-still that comes after.
Golden Morning Closes
The square glows gold and green under the late morning sun. Ramón's shop stands open, shelves bare and proud. The ceiba tree holds its wide arms over two small friends on a bench. Between them sits a single mango pit, licked clean and shining. Somewhere a guitar plays a lazy note or two. The cobblestones are warm. The fountain hums. And all across the village, bags are full and bellies will be too.
Your Turn to Draw!
Draw your favorite moment from this story! What does the village look like in your imagination?
