Random reminder

Press, 30 December 1978, Page 19

Random reminder

CORDON BLEU

There is a man living. in Christchurch who experienced a rare delicacy on a recent Saturday evening. The menu was plain but nourishing — chops, carrots, potatoes and silverbeet. While dishing out the latter, his wife was alarmed to note at the bottom of the pot a large overcooked snail. Screams and screeches from the children made the message very loud and clear. Thanks — but no thanks — one vege would do. The head of the household was displeased with this attitude. He told, them severley that they were all too fussy, and all too well fed. Accordingly, he was served a generous helping from the cook. During the meal he regaled the company of other past eating experiences, particularly those when camping deep in the West Coast bush. Compared with these delights, a snail accidently boiled with the silverbeet was a minor disaster. i

Two hours later the family wasn’t convinced. Father stayed in the bathroom for a long time, and the moans and groans; coming from behind the door didn’t! subside until all trace of the whole i meal had disappeared down the drain.! He emerged, shaking and white, and the family assisted him to his, favourite chair. His wife wondered out! loud about stomach pumps, but her husband still insisted that the meal: had nothing to do with how he felt. A very early night, and a good sleep meant that he was able to face another day and by then the wife had her cover story ready. She told him that she had seen the snail slide up and over the back steps, across the flow, up the stove and into the pot. He hasn’t said anything, but secretly hopes that next time they shift there will be only fairies at the bottom of the garden.