Finlay and the Pancakes

Today, being the “Day of the Pancake”, was a time to take my grandson to the Village Inn for some pancakes. From the get-go, I was told by Finlay NOT to eat any of his pancakes. Being wise of years, I knew from the get-go that he would never eat all the pancakes that would arrive. Sure-enough, there were five golden brown 4″ pancakes, cooked to perfection and stacked on his plate with a dollop of butter melting on top.

My strategy was formed immediately. I reached for his plate and as he promptly admonished me to not eat his pancakes I explained that I was going to cut them up for him and make it easier to eat. While he was distracted with the crayons and the children’s menu, I began to cut them up and in the process flipped two of them over to my plate … unnoticed. Spreading the remaining three on the plate and adding a piece of toast adequately camouflaged the deed and he never knew.

He ate slowly … and halfway through began to flag in his earnestness. I knew what was going on so I started preparing bites to feed him on the fork … and in between the approaches of the airplane to the hanger I pointed here and there and said “Look”. He always looked (as I ate another bite myself). After three times, however, he asked, “Grampy, what are you pointing at? I don’t see anything. I don’t understand”. And so he stopped looking … the jig was up.

All in all, it was an effective method to be sure no food was wasted. And then … when all was said and done … I was informed by our waitress that in honor of Pancake Day …. Finlay’s meal was free!!! Ha! the joke was on me!