A Pair of Pears
In the market I wanted some pears
Pointing at them I asked for two
“A pair please” I said
Thinking I meant ‘a pear’
The stallholder gave me only one pear
“No, I want two pears” I explained
Thinking I meant ‘two pairs’
The stallholder gave me three more pears
Leaving me with four pears
“Take back a pair” I requested
Thinking I meant 'a pear'
The stallholder took back one pear
Leaving me with three pears
“That’s a pear too many” I said
Thinking I meant ‘a pair’
The stallholder took back two pears
Leaving me with one pear
“But I want two pears!” I yelled
Thinking I meant ‘two pairs’
The stallholder gave me four more pears
Leaving me with five pears
Frustrated, I returned all the pears to the stallholder
And bought two oranges instead