Natural figures can be employed for counting: a person apple; two apples are just one apple added to a different apple, a few apples are just one apple additional to two apples, ... The natural numbers are employed for counting factors, like "there are actually six coins over the table", https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/cureayu-the-best-ayurvedic-brand-in-india-for-everyday-health/282503836