GIANT FRIENDS... Menu For a Wedding
Chapter 2
“You know, Shoebill, for a bird you are a good egg. I know I haven’t always been fair to you, but I want you to know I’m grateful for your devotion.
“Oh, Zenix, Sir, I’m moved... You bring a tear to my eye, Sir.”
“And you make the best coffee. I feel quite refreshed now, ready to cut down half a forest.
Just then they heard a voice at the door, “Yoohoo, are you there, Shoebill?” They exchanged glances.
“Coming,” replied Shoebill.
To their surprise Komodo stood there smiling. “Oh, I’m so pleased you are both here. I have a big favour to ask, and some exciting news,” he said.
“Sit down,” Zenix invited him, trying not to sound too enthusiastic.
Without further ado, Komodo announced, “I’m getting married in four weeks; I want you two to be my best man and groomsman. Oh, please say yes. And another favour… Shoebill, will you cater, please? You are a superb cook, and we’re only having a small number to celebrate.“
“ Oh, slow down--slow down, Komodo!” Shoebill was so flabbergasted that he knocked over his cup of coffee with his huge outsized beak.
“I would have to discuss a menu, first.” Shoebill stuttered, as he mopped up coffee with his dish cloth. “And I can’t be best man because I’m no good at making speeches. I won’t make a speech... no… definitely not!”
“Settle down, Shoebill,,. I’ll be best man, and make the speech. You just concentrate on the cooking and enjoy yourself, if that’s all right with Komodo.”
“Absolutely!! Thank you! Thank you! Oh, you two are wonderful!”
“Well, just sayin’ Komodo – no speeches. I just can’t do that. I’m too shy. Now, let’s discuss this menu.”
“Right now?” Komodo and Zenix chorused, “right now?”
“Yes, right now. Otherwise I won’t sleep tonight!”
Komodo licked his lips. “ Well now, let’s see. Perhaps the most delectable collection of insects that you can find, Shoebill, for hors d’oeuvres.” Shoebill began scribbling with his pencil.
“Mmm, moving on to the entree now... Frogs legs, and toads, and any other amphibians you can find--just the legs of course.”
Shoebill wrote, ‘ Mixed raw legs’, then muttered to himself, “Marinated, of course.”
The pair continued for two hours, until the sun was hot overhead and Zenix had long since gone to cut trees in the forest.
Shoebill was just putting the finishing touches to his menu when a voice called from the back door, “Youhoo, excuse me, are you there, Komodo?”
Shoebill almost jumped out of his skin.
It was Komini, Komodo’s soon-to-be wife.
After introductions, Komodo seemed flustered. “Oh, my dear, we were just discussing the menu for our wedding. Would you like to hear what we’ve decided?"
Komini screamed with laughter. “Oooohh! Nooo... oh, no no no.” she said between hiccoughs of laughter, “What ever you decide, my love... whatever you decide. But I must have some strings of beads to wear on the day...mesmerising ones, mind.” And she laughed again,.
Shoebill thought she was going to have a spasm.
When Zenix arrived home that evening, Shoebill exclaimed, “Oh, Zenix what a day I’ve had!”
By the time he had explained the difficulties with the menu, Zenix felt exhausted himself. “You’d better show me this menu,” he said, “there may be nothing that I can eat. Perhaps I’d better take a sandwich, ha ha”
“Well, here it is.” Shoebill hannded a piece of paper to Komodo.
Starters: A delectable selection of live freshly-caught insects
from the organic woodlands.
Entree: Mixed choice amphibian legs marinated in
prime swamp slime.
Mains: Freshly caught stream trout garnished with tree-frog
livers and papyrus seeds.
Desert: Chilled and peeled sugarcane chunks garnished
with Birds Eye chilies and garlic sauce.
“Yuck! There’s nothing here for me!”
“Well, perhaps you’d better bring that sandwich you spoke about. Actually, it seemed delicious to me."
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