Everyone is asking, Efraim, why are you only delivering
twelve muffins? You used to deliver a full thirteen, and
now, only twelve? Is there a reason?

And I answer, "Yes, there are a number of reasons." And
then I lean back in my comfort chair, reach for a muffin,
and begin - my sad tale of woe.

"Back in the old days, when bakers were bakers, muffins 
were muffins, and boxes were boxes - a baker used to bake
about 1000 muffins. And people would come in, and see those
1000 muffins, and ask for a dozen. The baker, having 1000
muffins to get rid of, (because, everyone knows that he
has got to bake new ones the next day) just tosses another -
an extra - into a bag filled with the other 12. Well," says 
I in my comfort chair, taking a bite of a yummy wild blueberry
muffin with streusel topping - "Well," (says I, chewing 
slowly and deliberately, to taste the very depth of the
flavor in those wild blueberries), "Well, these days of
diminished bakery product - it's just not like that. Few
bakers are seriously careful about baking fresh every day.
And few bakers bake 1000's - just in case. And few bakers 
have delved into the depth of the muffin. And few bakers 
have retained the technical knowledge of 13-muffin boxes
and pans."

So, everyone asks, what will you do???

"What will I do?" I answer, reaching for a pineapple ginger
muffin. "What will I do? In this case, I can either sacrifice
the quality of my muffins, or the quantity. If I sell 12 to
a dozen - everything comes out easily. I can bake - by the
dozen. I can package - by the dozen. And I can deliver - by
the dozen. That 13th muffin - well it just does not fit 
anywhere. And so, as much as I love the idea of the baker's 
dozen, and as much as I love the number 13, I am going to have
to change my ways. I must start selling 12 to the dozen."

"And that" I say, settling back down with a Bran, Walnut Maple
muffin, "is my story, and my reason for changing from 13 to 12.
I refuse to diminish my product standards. That thirteenth muffin
crowds the oven, crowds the box, and delays delivery. Someday, 
when I move into a proper shop, I will think out the possibility
again."