Book & Cook

Mom has been working with dad for a few months.  Tata  Beya has fallen sick, and we had to stay home alone. “Only 4 hours a day”, mom thought, “I'll ask our neighbor to look after the boys to make sure they won’t get in trouble”.  “As a big boy”, she told me, “I would love you to do something for me. I am starting the pot for dinner I will bring it to boil and lower the heat before I leave. You will need to watch over it every hour I want you to stir it for me. Don't cook your brother's elephant like you did last week.”  “He deserved it,” I said, “he didn't let me play with it and he even broke my wooden toy car I made and hid the drummer monkey.”  “Yes, I know, but you are the bigger boy, and you should act like one.”  “OK Mom, I will.” Beans and onions are what mom made every Tuesday. She would sauté the onions, with salt and a little sugar. She would add the overnight-soaked beans and cook them for many hours. Usually by lunch time it would be ready for ...

"Aunt Marie will be here this afternoon for the weekend," my mother announced one day when I came home from school. I didn't like Aunt Marie very much. She always called me "young boy" with that commanding tone of hers, and then she would tell me what to do or not to do. But I did like Vivi her older son, Ines her daughter, Avram, and little dumb Motke. Vivi is three years older than me. He was strong, and he knews things that old people know. Ines is one year older than me. She is very pretty, and she loved to tell scary stories at night after Mom shut the lights. Avram is Avi's age. He is nice. And little dumb Motke is only two-and-a half years old. One day when they came to visit us, Aunt Marie put Motke in an orange crate to play, (we didn't have a crib for him, and he was little anyway), Avi gave him peanuts. The poor thing almost choked. He stuffed them all in his mouth and didn't know what to do with them. Luckily for him, Aunt Marie walked in...

  Poop “Nanou! Nanou, wake up!” “Wha-at?” I complained half a sleep. “I need to go to the bathroom” “So go” I said and turned over. Avi didn’t go. We were left alone in the house while mom and dad went to the movies. “You are a big boy now, you are five years old and we know, you can take care of your brother. Mom and dad are going to the movies so don’t fight or mess up the house. Just stay in bed and go to sleep. By the time you wake up we will be back home.” “Yes I know” I said to Mom “I am a big boy.” It was all fine until Avi decided to wake me up. “You have to come with me,” he cried. “I can’t reach the door latch.” It was a big lie. Avi, even being two years younger than me looked almost bigger than me - he was heavier, and the same height as me. Avi was afraid of the dark. He wanted me to get up and go to the bathroom with him. Now, why should I? I was perfectly comfortable sleeping in my bed and really didn’t need to get up just so he can go to the bathroom. I knew he coul...