inkwelltasteprompt

During our early secondary school days, precisely 27 years ago," I remember Sunny, my classmate known as (AKA Foreign Food), "every discussion of Sunny must end with 'I love Foreign food.' Especially when those who had a television would watch a particular program called 'Maggi Kitchen,' where people watched how to prepare different recipes."

"Sunny's best subject was Home Economics because of his passion for food. Sunny was a curious and imaginative young soul who had not always been content with the simple pleasures of village life. He enjoyed running through the fields, tending to the family's goats, and savoring the delicious homemade meals his grandmother cooked with love."

"One afternoon, while Sunny was sitting under the shade of a massive oak tree in the school premises, he overheard some students who always spent their holidays discussing fried rice, chicken with salad. Though he was with us, his ears were with them. They chatted excitedly about something called 'fried rice' and 'salad.' Their animated voices carried the tales of these exotic and mouthwatering delights, and Sunny's ears perked up in curiosity."

"'What's fried rice? What's salad?' Sunny wondered, his eyes widening with intrigue. He asked, 'So, one can fry rice like bean cake?'"

"The senior students explained with great enthusiasm. 'Fried rice is the white man's way of preparing rice,' Sunny said, 'you mean foreign food?' And Mike replied, 'Sunny, please go home and tell your parents to prepare fried rice and salad for you since you are not aware it's food for rice in our country.' Sunny asked, 'Where can I get the ingredients? My grandmother is a good cook.'"

"Daniel said, 'Poor people like us can only taste fried rice and salad in our dreams.' Flora added, 'I tasted fried rice and salad because of my rich step-uncle, Sunny. Wake up! Ingredients like cooking oil, chopped vegetables (e.g., carrots, peas, green peppers, minced garlic, chicken, shrimp, tofu), mixed salad greens (lettuce, spinach, arugula, etc.), cherry tomatoes, cucumber, cabbage, red onion, and carrot are not within our reach.'"

"'Sunny,' said, 'glad we have chicken.' Florence countered, 'Local chicken can't give you the real taste.'"

"From that moment on, Sunny's thoughts were consumed by these mysterious delicacies. He couldn't help but desire a taste of fried rice and chicken, even though such treats were entirely foreign to the simple village life he knew. Each night, he went to bed with the flavors of his dreams lingering in his mind."

"One night, he found himself in a bustling city, surrounded by towering buildings and neon lights. There, on the busy streets, he discovered a charming little restaurant. Its inviting aroma beckoned him closer, and he stepped inside. The heavenly scent of well-cooked fried rice and salad with chicken filled the air. As Sunny sat at a cozy table with different types of fruits, he ordered fried rice and chicken, and as he was about to eat the food, he woke up. Sunny's dream adventures continued night after night."

"But with each morning, he would wake up in his humble village, surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds. The village goats, the rustling leaves, and his grandmother's comforting meals reminded him of the simple joys he already possessed."

"As the days passed, Sunny realized that while fried rice, chicken, and salad were undoubtedly delicious, they couldn't replace the warmth and love that filled his village life. He cherished his dreams but also treasured the reality of his home but promised that he would study and work hard so his life would end up in the city and in a white man's country if possible."

picture taken by me last week with my Tecno 8P, as I remember that it used to be imaginary meal.