The Smell of Cinnamon

Marta lived alone in a small apartment. Her new neighbor, Doña Pilar, was an old woman. They saw each other in the elevator sometimes, but they did not talk.

Marta aliishi peke yake katika chumba kidogo. Jirani yake mpya, Doña Pilar, alikuwa mzee mwanamke. Walikutana katika lifti wakati mwingine, lakini hawakuzungumza.

One Sunday morning, Marta opened her front door to go for a walk. There was a small plate on the floor. On the plate was a piece of cake. The cake smelled like cinnamon and oranges.

Jumapili asubuhi moja, Marta alifungua mlango wake wa mbele kwenda kutembea. Kulikuwa na sahani ndogo sakafu. Katika sahani kulikuwa na kipande cha keki. Keki hiyo ilinukia mdalasini na machungwa.

There was a note. "It is my grandmother's recipe. I made too much. Welcome to the building. — Pilar."

Kulikuwa na ujumbe. "Ni mapishi ya nyanyagu. Nilipika mengi sana. Karibu katika jengo hili. — Pilar."

Marta ate the cake at her kitchen table. It was the best cake she had eaten in a long time. She did not know how to thank Pilar. She did not bake. She did not have a recipe from her grandmother.

Marta alikula keki hiyo mezani mwake jikoni. Ilikuwa keki bora zaidi aliyoila kwa muda mrefu. Hakujua jinsi ya kumshukuru Pilar. Hakupika. Hakuwa na mapishi ya nyanyaye.

Finally, she wrote a card. "Thank you. The cake was wonderful. If you ever need help with shopping, please knock." She left the card under Pilar's door. Now they had something to start with.

Mwishowe, aliandika kadi. "Asante. Keki ilikuwa ya ajabu. Ukihitaji msaada wa ununuzi, tafadhali gonga mlango." Aliweka kadi chini ya mlango wa Pilar. Sasa walikuwa na kitu cha kuanza nacho.