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Menachem Tries Something New

Ages 6-9 | Story and 9 activities

Menachem likes things the way they are.

He likes plain pasta with butter. He likes the red bike at the park, never the blue one. He likes the same chair at the same table at the same time every day.

"Menachem is a creature of habit," says Totty.

So when Mommy announces, "Tonight we're trying something new for supper," Menachem frowns.

"What kind of new?"

"It's called couscous. It's tiny little grains, and it comes with vegetables."

Menachem folds his arms. "No, thank you."

"You haven't even tried it."

"I don't like it."

"How do you know?"

"It looks weird."

Mommy sits down next to him. "Let's make a deal. You take one bite. Just one. If you don't like it, you never have to eat it again."

Menachem thinks about it. One bite isn't a lot. But the unknown part makes his stomach tighten. What if it tastes terrible? What if he gags?

"One bite?" he says.

"One. I promise."

Totty brings the bowl to the table. It is steaming and golden, with little orange carrots and green peas. Menachem pokes it with his fork. The grains stick together, soft and fluffy.

He lifts a tiny forkful to his nose and sniffs. It smells like warm butter and a bit like cinnamon.

He closes his eyes. He puts it in his mouth.

It is soft. A little sweet. A little buttery. It isn't bad. In fact, it is kind of good.

He opens his eyes. "It's okay."

"Just okay?"

"Kind of yummy."

Mommy beams. "Would you like another bite?"

"Maybe," says Menachem, trying to keep his face serious. He takes a second bite. Then a third.

By the end of the meal, he's eaten half a bowl.

"I tried something new," he says, pleased.

"And?" says Totty.

"And it was a good new."

After supper, he helps Totty clear the table, and Totty says, "I notice you ate with a smile." Menachem shrugs, but he is grinning.

The next day, at school, there is a new game in the yard. It is called gaga ball, played in a wooden ring where you slap a ball and try to get others out. Menachem stands at the edge, watching. It looks fast and loud.

His friend Zevi waves. "Come play!"

"I don't know how."

"I'll show you. One round."

Menachem's tummy tightens. But then he remembers the couscous. A bite, he tells himself. One round.

He steps into the ring. The ball whizzes by. He jumps out of the way. He slaps it back, missing the first time, hitting it the second.

By the end of the round, he is laughing so hard he gets hiccups.

"Again!" he says.

On Friday, Mommy makes couscous for Shabbos. Menachem takes a big scoop. At the table, Totty says, "A year ago, you would have said no."

"A year ago, I didn't know what I was missing," says Menachem. "I like trying things now. Even if I only take one bite."

At bedtime, he sits in his usual chair, thinking. Tomorrow, I'm going to ask to try the blue bike.