Learn to Eat Like a Grown-up| MOTHER: | The table's laid. Come along, both of you, and let us begin. |
| FATHER: | I'm ready; I feel quite hungry. |
| CHRIS: | So am I; I could eat a horse. |
| MOTHER: | Well, we haven't got a horse for you , but what we have got is quite |
| nice. Sit there and see how well you can behave. Remember, you're |
| getting quite a big boy and must learn to eat like a grown-up. |
| CHRIS: | DOes that mean that I can eat more? |
| MOTHER: | We want you to make a good meal, though we don't want you to stuff |
| yourself. Your place has been laid just like ours. |
| CHRIS: | What's this little plate for? |
| MOTHER: | That's for your bread. Most people eat a little bread with their meat |
| and vegetables. |
| CHRIS: | Mother, aren't you going to cut my meat up for me any more? |
| MOTHER: | No, I'm not. We have put a knife and fork for you and you must learn . |
| how to use them. Here is your meat; help yourself to vegetables from |
| the dish Don't take more than you can eat. |
| CHRIS: | All right; Mother; may I take some mustard? |
| FATHER: | You may, but I don't think you'll like it. You'll find it hot. Now |
| sit up properly; don't lean back and don't Iean too far forward. |
| MOTHER: | And take your elbows off the table-cloth. |
| FATHER: | And don't take too much on your fork. You shouldn't open your mouth |
| wide at meals. |
| MOTHER: | And n't make a noise when you are eating. |
| CHRIS: | Good gracious!I think it would be better if I took my plate away to |
| the nursery. I shan't be able to eat at, all if I try to remember |
| all those things. |
| FATHER: | Stay where you are. You'll soon learn.(Chris begins to eat; he puts |
| some vegetables into his mouth with his knife. ) |
| MOTHER: | What are you doi ng? Don't you know that you must never put you knife | |
| into your mouth? |
| CHRIS: | But why, Mummy? It's easier like that sometimes. |
| FATHER: | You .might cut your mouth. Do you want to make your mouth bigger than it k. |
| is? Use your for |
| CHRIS: | No, I don't. But I might prick my tongue with the points of my fork. |
| FATHER: | Well, you must learn not to. |
| MOTHER: | There, leave the lad alone. He'll soon learn. Have you finished, dear? |
| Lay your knife and fork on your plate. No, don't cross them. Put the |
| handles towards you. |
| FATHER: | Now, here come the sweets. Here's your plate. Use that spoon and fork; |
| use your fork more than your spoon. |
| CHRIS | But why? Isn't it polite to use the spoon? |
| MOTHER: | Of course it is, but most people use the fork more. than the spoon. Use |
| the spoon when you have to. |
| CHRIS: | You mean for eating very soft stuff? |
| MOTHER: | That's right. Why, you haven't drunk any water! (Chris drinks some water |
| and puts his glass down on the left of his plate. ) |
| FATHER: | Not there. On your right. |
| CHRISL | But why? |
| FATHER: | Because it is nearer to your right hand. It's handier there. |
| CHRIS: | All right, Dad. There seems to be a great deal to learn. Give me some more |
| pudding, Mother |
| MoTHER: | "Give me" doesn't get; say, "Please may I have?" |
| CHRIS: | Please may I have some more pudding? |
| MoTHER: | Here you are. What's that I see? Dirty hands? See that you don't come to |
| table with dirty hands again. |
| FATHER: | And brush your hair next time you come. |
| CHRIS: | I'll try to remember. But you mustn't expect me to learn every't'hing at |
| once. May I get down now? |
| MoTHER: | Very well. Run along. |
