How would you explain web cookies to someone non-technical?

Imagine a website is like a shopkeeper. When you visit, the shopkeeper gives you a small ticket, or a cookie. This ticket has information about your visit, like what you looked at or if you're a returning customer. The next time you visit, the shopkeeper checks your ticket to remember you and offer a more personalized experience. For example, it can keep you logged in, remember items in your shopping cart, or show you ads relevant to your interests. Without these cookies, every visit would be like the first time, and the website wouldn't remember anything about you.