Funny Taste

Oh! Mummy dear - making a face, I say

The lentil has some funny taste today - I say

Mummy dear smiles back at me, as she turns to say

My dear darling daughter May- No fuss today

Eat it or leave it, as this is all I have made for you today

But Mummy…. - I try again to get my own way

What if I get sick- once I eat this spoiled lentil today

Mummy dear laughs and I am perplexed and have nothing to say

Why is mama adamant on making me eat this bitter food today

Anyway, I eat it grudgingly, knowing she will regret it the next day

But to my surprise I was fit and fine the next whole day

No effect whatsoever - from the spoiled bitter lentil I ate yesterday

That’s when I asked mummy what was the secret game she played

Mummy sternly said- Lentil tastes different on different days

Being a five-year old, I accepted her answer just like that- that day

But now I know why the lentil tasted funny some days

Broad beans are the lentils that carries nourishment in spades

But they carry a taste too, somewhat bitter that one cannot do away

I am a mother now, I too give the same answer to my daughter today

Eat it or leave it as this is all I have made for you today