A Measure of Rice

Lingering around the shop doorway breeze was getting old, so I squeezed behind the low wooden tea counter to see what else needed sorting. Sitting in a wide zinc tray was a shallow cedar measuring scoop filled with dry jasmine rice, right beside a polished river stone used as a label weight. You would probably tell me that spilling grains everywhere is rude, but that scoop was tipped sideways, leaking raw grains into the zinc crease. I dug my rounded base into the rough wood, wrapped my arms around the cool, heavy stone, and rolled it directly into the hollow handle of the cedar scoop. It settled with a firm thud, leveling the grain flat. Don't even try arguing that wasn't necessary.