Figures.get('e', 0) tells python to look for The real key 'e' within the dictionary. If it's actually not found it returns 0. Because This can be the first time 'e' is passed from the loop, the character 'e' is just not present in the dictionary still, so the get strategy https://israelvsldt.blogzet.com/detailed-notes-on-caribo-edibles-51131065