Some children eat very reluctantly. Mothers have to resort to all sorts of tricks just to feed their beloved child. But soon so many reluctant eaters appeared that a special Land of Reluctance was created for them, where all children who refused to eat what their parents prepared would end up.
Tommy was also a reluctant eater. Feeding him took a lot of time: first you had to find out what he would eat, then you had to prepare it, and then you had to spend a long time convincing the boy to eat. 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, a small house was visible. The boy headed toward 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 on the kitchen counter, utensils and dishes were playing around. Spoons tried to chase forks, pots argued about something.
Can you talk?
Tommy suddenly asked.
We can. Who are you?
All the dishes asked in unison.
My name is Tommy. Yesterday I went to sleep at home, and I woke up here. Where am I?
The boy wondered.
I see. You're another reluctant eater.
A what?
Tommy asked again.
Reluctant eaters are children who don't eat what their parents prepare for them.
But I do eat!
Said Tommy.
Without any fussing?
The pot asked mockingly.
Of course.
Tommy said evasively and immediately blushed.
Strange. Usually only picky children who refuse to eat what their parents prepared come here. But if there's some kind of mistake, don't worry, you'll be home soon.
Said the pot.
The pot was in charge of the kitchen. After all, most dishes were cooked in it. And therefore it met reluctant eaters more often than anyone else.
Then Tommy's stomach rumbled.
I'm hungry.
The boy suddenly announced.
In our country, everyone has to cook for themselves. Magic dishes and utensils can only help a little.
Said the pot.
But I don't know how to cook. Mom usually feeds me and cooks for me too.
Said Tommy and began to cry.
Tears won't help here. I have beef broth inside me, we could try to make soup.
Offered the pot.
But I don't know how.
Tommy answered through tears.
There's a cookbook on the table, it has recipes. You can read, can't you?
I can.
The boy said indignantly.
Tommy took out the cookbook and began looking for a soup recipe. When he found it, he started looking for the necessary ingredients. For soup he needed 3-4 potatoes, 1 carrot, 1 onion, a little pasta, and herbs: parsley, dill, and green onions. Tommy found all of this in the kitchen. A knife helped him peel and cut the potatoes and onion. The carrot had to be grated, and the utensils helped with that too.
Meanwhile, the pot climbed onto the stove and soon the broth began to boil.
Put the onion in me first, then the potatoes.
Commanded the pot.
Tommy did as he was told. Following the onion and potatoes, Tommy added the carrot to the broth, and after a while the pasta went into the pot. Then he added a little salt. And after 10 minutes, chopped herbs were added to the soup.
The soup is ready. You can taste it.
The pot announced solemnly.
Tommy immediately sat at the table. A ladle poured soup from the pot into a bowl, and the bowl appeared right in front of the boy. Tommy eagerly began to eat the soup he had prepared himself. After the bowl was empty, he asked for seconds. So Tommy ate two bowls of soup.
What delicious food. I didn't think that making soup takes so much time and effort.
Said Tommy.
Yes, cooking is quite a troublesome task. And now we can rest. An afternoon nap is very useful.
Said the pot.
The boy found a room in the house with a large 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 mother's voice calling him to breakfast. He immediately ran to the kitchen, hugged his mother and ate his entire breakfast in a few minutes.
Now the boy Tommy eats without fussing, to the joy of his parents.
