Marco is from Italy and travels to the United States for a two-week homestay. He stays with the Johnson family in a quiet town. The Johnsons are very friendly, and they give Marco his own room with a soft bed and a small desk.

Every morning, Marco has breakfast with Mr. and Mrs. Johnson and their son, Mike. Sometimes they eat cereal with milk or toast with butter and jam. After breakfast, Marco goes to school with Mike. In class, Marco learns English words and simple sentences. The teacher speaks slowly, and the other students are kind. They ask Marco about Italy, and he tells them about pizza and pasta.

In the afternoons, Marco visits the local park, a bakery, and a small library. He tries American cookies, listens to people speak English, and practices polite words like “thank you” and “excuse me.” When he returns to Italy, Marco feels happy and more confident.