Lessons

Flash Fiction

Lessons

“Danny!” Mom said, quite sternly. “Stop moving your asparagus back and forth. Just eat it!”

“Why are we eating plants, isn’t that what birds and animals eat?”

“Yes, birds and animals… and people! This is important for your body!”

“My body wants peanut butter and ice cream.”

“Peanut butter is just as plant-y as asparagus.”

“Doesn’t taste that way… why do we have to eat plants at all. Aren’t plants for birds and squirrels?”

“Some. All living things on earth need to eat to grow and be healthy and strong. Or would you like to be the same size you are right now when all your friends are taller and stronger?”

“Taller and stronger?”

“Yes, like your cousin Rick. Do you think he was always as tall as he is now?”

“I just thought he was taller than me.”

“Well, when he was your age, he was just as tall as you are now. To get bigger, he ate healthy food, even asparagus, so he would get tall and strong. This is important, and it works!”

“Can I ask Ricky what he eats…?”

“Go ahead! He’ll tell you. But you can’t ask him today because he’s getting ready to play football against Framingham this afternoon with the rest of the high school team.”

“Really? Can we go?”

“Dad already made plans. He was going to take you when he got back from the hardware store. And then he was hoping you’d help him fix the cellar door that’s broken… Oh! I think this was a supposed to be a surprise! I shouldn’t have told you!”

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell!” said Danny, stuffing asparagus in his mouth.

Mom smiled, then realized she had to talk to her husband quickly, before he got home from the store!!

It worked pretty well…