This is a tale to warn you all
The tale of the child….
The toddler so small……
Who, when they reach the age of ONE
Grow little opinions to warn everyone
To tell the world of the grown-ups so large
“You didn’t really think you were in charge??”
It starts with a face
That says…
‘I’m really not sure
If, of this meal I would like any more.’
‘I may try it today just to make you feel
That you have prepared the most delicious meal
But rest assured, tomorrow instead
I may just tip it over my HEAD!
Or on the floor…………….
The dog or the cat………..
I may just MOULD it into a H-A-T.
I may decide that you dear mummy
Should wear my meal upon your TUMMY!
And as for you my DARLING daddy,
You’ve not begun to see my PADDY!’
For as they grow, these little ones
Learn words to express their opinions
“Don’t like it!”
“NO!”
“Bleurgggh” and “YUCK!”
You very rarely have the luck
To hear “Thankyou mummy for your culinary skill
Of this tasty meal I will eat my fill!”
Now all this is fine
If not for the WORST…………..
The thing to make mums on the edge fit to burst
The crockery and cutlery age-old debate
The ‘THIS IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE PLATE!!’
‘I clearly asked for GREEN, not BLUE!’
‘And SPOTS, not STRIPES’,
‘How naïve of you!’
‘This knife is too big’
‘The cup is too round’
‘Keep looking ‘til the correct one is FOUND!’
And of course
Once the knife, fork and plate deal is sealed
The meal has simply lost its appeal!!
“I’m full!” the littlest ones declare
But they always have room for the PUDDING fare –
The yogurt, the jelly, the custard to pour
No “I don’t like it!” to be heard any more.
And when it’s all done……………
And meal time is through……………..
We’ll do it again in an hour or two
But as we message our friends to reveal our woes
Or swap stories of how we’ve been kept on our toes
We SMILE with such fondness as if to say
‘I wouldn’t have it any other WAY!’