Some children eat with great reluctance. Mums have to resort to all sorts of tricks just to get their beloved child to eat. But soon so many of these won't-eaters had appeared that a special land called Won't-Eat Land was created for them, where all the children who refused to eat what their parents had prepared would end up.
Tommy was also a won't-eater. It took a lot of time to feed him: first you had to find out what he would eat, then you had to prepare it, and then you had to spend ages persuading the boy to have a meal. This went on for quite a while, but one day the boy woke up in an unfamiliar place. Everything around him was strange.
In the distance, he could see a small cottage. The boy headed towards it. Tommy went inside, but found no one there. He heard a clattering sound coming from one of the rooms and followed it.
Tommy saw that cutlery and dishes were playing about on the kitchen bench. Spoons were trying to chase forks, and saucepans were arguing about something.
Can you talk?
Tommy suddenly asked.
We can. Who are you?
All the dishes asked him in unison.
My name's Tommy. Yesterday I went to sleep at home, and I woke up here. Where am I?
The boy wondered.
I see. You're another won't-eater.
A what?
Tommy asked.
Won't-eaters are children who don't eat what their parents prepare for them.
But I do eat!
Said Tommy.
Without any fussing?
The saucepan asked sarcastically.
Of course.
Tommy said evasively and immediately blushed.
Strange. Usually only fussy children who refuse to eat what their parents have prepared come here. But if there's been some mistake, don't worry, you'll be home soon.
Said the saucepan.
The saucepan was the head of the kitchen. After all, most dishes were usually cooked in it. And so it met the won't-eaters more often than anyone else.
Then Tommy's stomach rumbled.
I'm hungry.
The boy suddenly announced.
In our land, everyone has to cook for themselves. The magical dishes and cutlery can only help a little.
Said the saucepan.
But I don't know how to cook. Mum usually feeds me and cooks for me too.
Said Tommy and began to cry.
Tears won't help here. I've got beef broth inside me, we could try making soup.
Offered the saucepan.
But I can't.
Tommy answered through his tears.
There's a cookbook on the table over there, it has recipes in it. You can read, can't you?
I can.
The boy said indignantly.
Tommy got out the cookbook and started looking for a soup recipe. When he found it, he began searching for the necessary ingredients. For the soup he needed 3-4 potatoes, 1 carrot, 1 onion, a bit of vermicelli and herbs: parsley, dill and spring onion. Tommy found all of this in the kitchen. A knife helped him peel and chop the potatoes and onion as well. The carrot needed to be grated, and the others helped him with that too.
Meanwhile, the saucepan climbed onto the stove and soon the broth came to the boil.
Put the onion in me first, then the potatoes.
Commanded the saucepan.
Tommy did as he was told. Following the onion and potatoes, Tommy added the carrot to the broth, and after a while the vermicelli went into the saucepan. Then he added a bit of salt. And after 10 minutes, the chopped herbs were added to the soup.
The soup is ready. You can taste it.
The saucepan announced ceremoniously.
Tommy was at the table in a flash. A ladle poured soup from the saucepan into a bowl, and the bowl appeared right in front of the boy. Tommy tucked into the soup he'd made himself with great appetite. After the bowl was empty, he asked for seconds. So Tommy ate two bowls of soup.
That's delicious. I didn't think making soup would take so much time and effort.
Said Tommy.
Yes, cooking is quite a demanding task. And now we can have a rest. An after-lunch nap is very good for you.
Said the saucepan.
The boy found a room in the house with a big bed, lay down on it and fell asleep. He slept for several hours, and when he opened his eyes, he found himself sleeping in his own room. He heard his mum's voice calling him for breakfast. He ran straight to the kitchen, hugged his mum and ate all his breakfast in a few minutes.
Now the boy Tommy eats without any fussing, to the delight of his parents.
