by James Mar
"Ah-Danny! Ah-Danny, lahh!
Have you eaten yet? Sik faan mei ah?!"
Danny woke to the sound of his mother's cry.
"Mei ahh! Not yet!" He shouted in reply.
"We're having jook for breakfast; so hurry on down!
Your uncle's visiting and we're showing him around."
Jook for breakfast? Rice porridge galore!
Grab a big ladle and let it pour.
Add some green onions, a little bit of soy,
Sprinkle some shredded pork, it's good to enjoy.
"No seconds this time. I am watching my weight.
I want to eat more, but look how much I ate!"
Meeting my Uncle Simon is always a treat.
Every time we're together, we all go out to eat.
"How's my little nephew? You're looking thin.
Let's go yum cha!" Uncle said with a grin.
Oh boy! Dim sum? How could I resist?
So good, so rich! "Only if you insist!"
Dim sum, dim sum, a touch of the heart.
Oh dim sum, dim sum, where do I start?
"Po lei cha; black tea please."
Tap your fingers, with threes.
Har gow, siu mai, bok choy.
"Dumplings, veggies, oh joy!"
Barbeque pork buns; char siu bao!
"I can't help it! I want it now!"
Saving the best for last is the egg custard tart.
Daan tat is its name. "Just call out to a cart."
"Who's going to pay for the bill?"
"We shouldn't fight for it. I will."
"Man, after all that eating, I think I'm all done.
I tried to diet, but I guess my stomach won."
When it comes to good food, I lose all my will.
I eat like I'm crazy, until I feel ill.
"Mom, Uncle Simon, I don't want to eat anymore...
I don't think it's healthy and it's becoming a chore."
"You kidding? You can't quit now, just wait 'til dinner.
It's a feast! A banquet! You'll feel like a winner!"
"We'll have Peking duck and sweet lobster supreme.
Only the finest! (If you know what I mean.)"
"Crispy skin chicken and walnut shrimp are always the best.
Sizzling beef platter, pig roast, (and let's not forget bird's nest.)"
"There're so many tasty dishes to try and enjoy.
I hope we can eat it all. What do you think, my boy?"
"You may say we're being excessive but that's just untrue.
Every time we give you food, it's to show that we love you."
"When your mom and I were your age, we had it rough.
Living poor on the streets of Hong Kong, it was tough."
"It's not only because we're Chinese that we feed you this way.
In those times, our lives were so hard we'd be hungry every day."
"Uncle Simon, I understand what you mean.
I love eating the food but can't we go lean?"
"I want to eat a meal in moderation!
But I can't do that with ALL your temptation!!"
There was a pause of silence after blurting my case.
I stood there wondering if I had made him lose face.
My uncle squat down to me and put on a big smile.
"OK, we can eat simple, but I hope it's worthwhile."
"What would you say to some healthier dishes?
We'll order some veggies and maybe some fishes."
"But when I visit again, you'd better slim yourself down.
Because you'll be feasting good next time your uncle's in town."
Copyright James Mar Studio. All rights reserved.