Green Kauri Comics · Story 007
Free Advice
A story about friendship, accepting help and putting good advice into practice.
Story 007
Good advice comes with an apron.
Ted gives Max a free coffee but insists on doing all the tidying himself. Max suggests letting friends give something back.
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After the afternoon rush at Ted and Robyn’s café in New Brighton, Christchurch, Ted is still clearing cups while his friends are visiting. Max has finished working, Kauri wants to help, and Kiwi is asleep in a paper bag on the window bench.
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Panel 1 — On the house
Ted sets a fresh coffee in front of Max, whose laptop is closed on the table. Used cups and saucers are waiting to be cleared. Kauri holds an empty cup, and a spare apron hangs nearby. “Free?” Max asks. “On the house, mate,” Ted replies.
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Panel 2 — Good advice
Ted gathers the used cups onto a crowded tray and reaches for Kauri’s cup. He is sweating but still insists, “You’re a guest. Leave it to me.” Watching from his table, Max says, “You need to let people give something back.”
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Panel 3 — Start with the washing-up
With the tray safely on the counter, Ted holds out the spare apron to Max. “Could you start with the washing-up?” he asks. Max looks surprised and reaches for it. Kauri carries his own cup towards the counter, and this time Ted lets him.
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Panel 4 — Other people
Max wears the apron and dries a clean cup with a tea towel while Kauri helps stack the saucers. Ted finally sits down with his own coffee, smiling at his friends. Kiwi is still asleep in the paper bag. Max keeps drying and says, “I meant other people.”
Letting people give back is kindness too.
- Characters
- Ted, Max, Kauri and Kiwi
- Setting
- New Brighton, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Themes
- Friendship, accepting help, generosity and giving back
- Published