Don't Eat the Peas

Alice was always hungry. She loved chicken and rice, guacamole and chips, and strawberries with vanilla ice cream. But there was one thing she did not like at all: peas. Her mother often served peas with dinner, but Alice always left them on her plate. 'Yuck,' Alice would say, 'I don't like peas!'

Alice's mother sighed. 'Alice, you need to eat your peas. They are good for you and will help you grow strong.' But Alice shook her head. 'I don't care, I'm not going to eat them!' she declared. Her mother decided to try something different.

The next night, Alice's mother decorated her plate with peas in a circle. 'Alice, the peas are just for decoration. Aren't they pretty?' she said. 'Do not eat them, you'll destroy my beautiful decoration.' Alice looked at the peas, puzzled.

The following night, her mother made three circles of peas on Alice's plate. 'Remember, Alice, do not eat the peas. They are only for decoration.' Alice wondered if her mother would notice if she ate one circle of peas. 'I'll play a trick on her,' Alice thought.

Alice ate one of the circles of peas. Her mother noticed right away. - Did you eat one of the circles? she asked. - No, I didn't, Alice lied. - You must be mistaken. I don't like peas, remember? Her mother looked suspicious but said nothing.

The next night, Alice's mother made a heart out of peas on her plate. 'Alice, do not eat these peas. I worked hard to make this beautiful heart. Isn't it lovely?' Alice giggled to herself. When her mother wasn't looking, she ate all the peas in the heart.

After dinner, her mother picked up the plate. - Alice, where is my heart? You stole my heart! Alice laughed. - I did, I tricked you. I've been eating peas and I like them now. Her mother laughed too.

From that day on, Alice always ate her peas. Sometimes she even asked for more peas. Alice grew into a beautiful young woman. One day, she married and had a little girl of her own. Her daughter was just like she was.

One day, Alice's daughter said, 'Mommy, I don't think I like peas. I'm not going to eat them.' Alice smiled. - That's okay, dear. Someday you will. - How about you, what do you like to eat? - Maybe you like peas too.

Alice remembered her own childhood. - After dinner, you can have ice cream and strawberries for dessert. - Yay! her daughter cheered. Alice's daughter looked at the peas on her plate. - Maybe I'll try them one day, she said.

Alice's mother came to visit one day. - Look at you, Alice. You've grown so much! - Yes, Mom, and I eat my peas now. - I'm so proud of you, her mother said. Alice laughed and hugged her mother.

Alice's daughter watched them. - Grandma, did Mommy not eat peas when she was little? she asked. - No, she didn't, her grandmother replied. - But she learned to love them. - Maybe I will too, her daughter said thoughtfully.

One night, Alice's daughter tried a pea. - Mommy, I tried a pea! - And how was it? Alice asked. - It wasn't bad, her daughter admitted. - See, I told you, Alice said with a smile.

From that day on, Alice's daughter slowly started eating peas. - Mommy, can I have more peas? she asked one night. - Of course, dear, Alice said, smiling. And Alice felt proud, knowing the honesty she taught her daughter.