Thankfulness
By Caius Isidora Aprilis

Portia tiptoed up to Macky, who was buying cloth at a stall. She tapped his shoulder and he jumped, surprised.

He pretended not to know her, for her clothes were covered with dust and mud. "Who are you?" he asked, feigning confusion

Portia's eyes glinted at Macky with impatience and laughter. "Macky! You know it's me!" she said, swatting at him. "I'm not that dirty!

Macky ducked and laughed. "I know, you're not that muddy and dirty!", he said. When Portia smiled, he continued, "compared to when I first met you!

"Huh!" cried Portia, pushing him playfully. "My horse bolted again, in case you're wondering! I wish I had a another horse that I could ride on busy market days!"

He regarded her with silence, his eyes staring through her. Then he said finally, "You don't know how lucky you are, Portia. You've got money, you have the more luxurious life than anyone I know, you're clothes are fine, you even have your own servants. Why do you need more? I wish I had a life like you, but I don't.

"Why don't you?" asked Portia, for the first time seeing what luxuries she had just because she was a Roman.

"Because, I have loving parents, my own horse, a warm, snug home, and annoyingly, a constant reminder to wear clean clothes!" he added jokingly.

Portia thought for a moment. Then she said, "I see what you mean Macky. I DO have a lot to be thankful for. I couldn't live without the things I have, but could live without Lydia!" She and Macky laughed, and the conversation was forgotten, but from then on, Portia was always thankful.

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