A Short Story = Kak Su's Gift? The story of the Spoon, Cup, and Bowl

Can't sleep a wink.

Blog's picking up dead spiders, dried-up moths, and months-old cobwebs.

Told hubby I've got nothing worthwhile to write about and that's a fact. Truth is, I find it all boring to write about meagre stuff like, what I did today, what I eat today, what I cook today, etc. etc., though it was fun while it lasted (the passion, I mean).

Hubby suggested I did something that could make money, such as writing about education, politics, my old research (Master's la), or something.

I said I'd give it a thought and I did. Hence, the absence of sleepiness from my eyes.

Berangan punya berangan I suddenly remembered my Taufiq's gift he got when he was a baby. It was a set of spoon, cup, and bowl he got from Auntie Su (Kak Su).

Imagine punya imagine, I miraculously and speedily managed to type a short story related to the three items. Don't mind me, but I'm feeling mighty pleased with myself and I'm dedicating it to my son, who hopefully will one day understand what the heck his momma is story-moring about :P

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THE STORY OF THE SPOON, CUP, AND BOWL

One morning, after Taufiq was finishing his breakfast of milk and cereals, and went off to have his bath, the Spoon started bragging to the Cup and Bowl.

“Taufiq likes using me best because I’m as green as the grass and he likes licking me after each meal,” boasted the Spoon.

Both the Cup and Bowl looked at each other and started laughing out loud.

“That’s nonsense,” snapped the Cup. “Taufiq likes me best because he always drinks his milk from me and I’m bright yellow like the sun.”

The Bowl scowled. “No, that’s not true,” said the Bowl. “I’m Taufiq’s favourite because I’m as red as a fire engine and he always eats his meal from me.”

The Spoon, Cup, and Bowl started quarreling who was better than the other. None of them thought the other was better than itself, and all of them thought they were far more important than their friends.

One day, Taufiq’s mother was in a hurry and forgot to give Taufiq his Spoon. Instead, she just gave him his Cup of milk and Bowl of cereals.

Little Taufiq looked at his meal and said out loud, “Mommy didn’t give me my Spoon. So I’d better try and eat without it.”

So little Taufiq tried to eat his cereals without his Spoon by slurping from his Bowl. But he found it very difficult and very messy. All his cereals dripped down his chin and made him very wet.

“I can’t eat my cereals without my Spoon,” said Taufiq aloud. “I have to use my Spoon to eat from my Bowl.”

And so Taufiq pushed aside his meal and went off to have his morning bath.

The next day, Taufiq’s mother was in a hurry again and this time she forgot to give Taufiq his Cup of milk.

Little Taufiq looked at his breakfast and said out loud, “This time mommy didn’t give me my Cup of milk. So I guess I’d better go without it.”

And so little Taufiq started eating with his Spoon and Bowl of cereals. But halfway through his breakfast, he began to feel rather thirsty.

“I can’t finish my cereals,” said Taufiq. “Eating makes me thirsty and there’s no drink to make the thirst go away.”

And so little Taufiq set aside his Spoon and Bowl and went off to have his bath.

Again, the next day, Taufiq’s mother was in a bit of a rush and forgot to give Taufiq his morning Bowl of cereals. Instead, she just gave him his Spoon and Cup of milk.

Little Taufiq sat down for his morning breakfast and looked at his meal.

“There are no cereals,” said wee little Taufiq. “So I guess I just have my morning drink then.”

And he gulped down all his milk. However, he was still feeling very hungry in the stomache.

“That milk made my thirst go away, but I’m still very hungry,” said Taufiq out loud. Then he got up to have his morning bath.

The next morning, Taufiq’s mother remembered to give Taufiq his Spoon, Cup of Milk, and Bowl of cereals.

Little Taufiq beamed down as he looked at his Spoon, Cup, and Bowl.

“Now I can have my breakfast and finish it all up,” said Taufiq. And he did.

The Spoon, Cup, and Bowl looked at each other sheepishly.

“I guess we were all wrong,” said the Spoon. “None of us are important without each other.”

“Taufiq can’t eat his cereals without the Spoon, eventhough I was here,” said the Bowl. “He can’t spoon his meal into his mouth. And he can’t finish his meal if he doesn’t have his Cup of milk.”

“I’m useless without the Bowl,” said the Spoon. “Taufiq can’t use me when he has nothing to eat.”

“We are all important, though we didn’t know it,” said the Cup wisely. “But now that we know we are useless without each other, let’s not quarrel anymore.”

And after that little episode, they never did.

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A simple story but I hope full of moral. Maybe next time I'll have another inspiration and post another short story. By the way, my Taufiq's spoon, cup, and bowl are all aquamarine green and not as colourful as the above tale. Ta!