Mina is a photographer. Tonight she is taking photos at her friend's wedding. She has a big camera, two lenses and a small bag of memory cards.
The wedding is almost over. The cake is on the table. The band is playing. Mina looks in her bag for the card with the best photos of the day.
It is not there.
Mina is patient in most situations, but now her hands are shaking. She is good at staying calm, but this is different. Those photos cannot be taken again.
The bride, Anna, sees her face. "What is wrong?"
"My memory card is missing," Mina says. "The one with the first dance."
Anna is considerate. She does not get angry. She asks the guests to help. The band stops. Everyone looks under tables and inside bags.
Mina is diligent. She checks every place she stood: the stage, the cake table, the door, the garden. Then she remembers the small bench near the kitchen.
She runs outside. On the bench, under a napkin, the card is waiting.
Back inside, Mina puts the card into her camera. The first dance appears on the screen. The room cheers.
"I am proud of these photos," she says. "But I am more proud of you," Anna says. "You did not give up."
A thought to keep
A calm search is better than a loud panic.