how to shop at the market

something that came to me

She examined the product carefully, or so she thought at the time. It was shiny, round, and seemingly perfect -- proudly on display. The cost was a bit dearer than she wanted to pay, but she bought it anyway. When she got it home she discovered it to be mushy inside, and what wasn't bad at first had an after taste, like milk, one day off curdling. She tried in vain to find a recipe to mask the rot, but finally, she just had to toss it away, without so much as a coupon for her trouble.

The next time she went to the market, she bi-passed the front case and looked for something natural, with rough spots, and a few blemishes here and there.  The first taste was more than she expected, bitter, and sweet, with a firm crunch; delightful on the tongue, and satisfying, bite after bite. She only hopes she can preserve it, so she never has to go shopping again.

Author's Note

Reviews

[Ken Simm.]

Oh sweet metaphor! Raised to the power of fable. It is not obviously anything to do with buying fruit or whatever the item was. Excellent.
Never find what you are shopping for when you are shopping for it specifically.

[Lyn Anderson]

Thank you for visiting this piece, and for your comments.

[Samuel Dickens]

These are some interesting words, though I may not interpret properly any metaphorical meanings. What I get from it is that a shiny appearance may not mean it's good or wholesome. So much in life is this way, and advertisers certainly know it. Personally, I'll take that which is real, even if it has lumps and bumps. Applied to people, we'd best not make judgement of one another based on how we look.

[Lyn Anderson]

you are right in the literal and the metaphorical. I am pretty straightforward in my approach to writing and life.

[barleygirl]

Awesome parallel between shopping for fruits & veggies, much like assessing people we meet for possible friendship or more. It's so true that hot-house fruit & veggies these days are gorgeous on the outside & really horrible on the inside. I used to be attracted to people like that. This is why I object when people write love stories or poems describing the beloved using all the boring trite words of perfection. I love your second paragraph, wherein the less-than-perfect choices may require a little trimming or some imagination in fixing & enjoying, but they're way more satisfying. The last sentence tips us off that this is about more than fruits & veggies. Love that line.

[Lyn Anderson]

Thank you so much, yes, the outwardly perfect ones are bland at best. I always appreciate your thoughtful reviews. Mine tend towards sparse, most the time. But not unconsidered.:)

[barleygirl]

Your short reviews convey your heartfelt feelings, nonetheless. When young, I was chronically busy & never took much time . . . now I'm disabled & with much more time, a mixed blessing which I try to use wisely.

[Lyn Anderson]

yes I don't review without sincerity and always strive to help when I can.:)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

blemishes make for perfection---perfect makes for blemishes inside---

what you see isn't always what you get----

love the metaphor...

j.

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks. It isn't an easy lesson, and one I see the younger generation repeating as the grow up.

[Lydia Shutter]

Ah yes...live and learn. When we are young, we want to be with eye candy. As we mature, we realize what is more important. A great metaphor, KL. Lydi**

[Lyn Anderson]

Thank you, and also all the bells and whistles and flowery advertisements.:)

[Pryde Foltz]

What are few wrinkled and bumps if inside is sweet. Lovely telling, KL:)

[Lyn Anderson]

Thank you very much.

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed the thoughts and the logic of the poem. Lesson learn make us know how to appreciate life. Thank you my friend for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Lyn Anderson]

Thank you, sir, you are a breath of fresh air.:)

[Coyote Poetry]

Always a pleasure to read your work and you are welcome dear friend.

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

Ah, yes! Reminds me of something I wrote way back (note to self:find it) called " Persimmons for Apples" along this line... not as good an ending and not anywhere near as well written. Suffice to say "I get it!" Well said.

[Lyn Anderson]

I am sure you short change yourself in assessing your own writing, but thank you, nonetheless.

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

It was an early one and very long. I may take a look at it as you have made me think. :)

[Zugzwang]

Such a sweet message, I loved reading this. And a universal truth never goes astray, either.
z.

[Lyn Anderson]

Nice to see you again. Thank you.

[Matching Socks]

Yeah, it's what's inside that counts. That's for darned sure. Those little flaws and blemishes add character.

[Lyn Anderson]

yes, yes they do. Thanks for popping in. I thought of your style when I finished this piece. It's a little like some of your stories, I think.

[Matching Socks]

Yeah, a little bit. Slice of life. :)
A very tasty slice in this case.