Don’t Laugh! by Doris Weinberg
I was just a new bride who had cooked very little
And wanted to make my Hubby proud.
His Mom was the “World’s Best Chef”-
He always said this out loud!
We’d only been married for a few short months
When the holiday of Passover arrived.
I would make the traditional meal
And to outdo his Mom I would strive.
The gefilte fish I could get in a jar
And the chicken I could certainly cook.
But to make matzo balls for the soup-
I would need a recipe book!
I got everything done and the batter was chilling.
I just had to boil the balls.
And when they were done and put in the soup-
To dinner he would be called.
I was so excited. I hoped he’d be proud,
After all the effort I put in.
The table was set with our good dishes and all-
He sat down and I had a big grin.
We got to the soup and I held my breath.
His spoon pressed on the ball and it rolled.
It didn’t break like a fluffy one should.
Instead it popped out of the bowl!
It rolled across the table and fell on the floor
As I made a horrified face.
He got up from his chair with a great big grin,
And across the kitchen he chased.
I was very upset when he sat back down
And proceeded to laugh out loud.
My matzo balls were much too hard
And I had been so proud.
He got up and came over
and through my tears gave a hug.
But I couldn’t stop crying. The tears poured out
as if someone had pulled out a plug!
The soup was delicious and we did eat the balls,
Even though we cut them with a knife.
He praised the whole meal and made me feel better-
Assuring me I was a “wonderful wife!”
That story was told for many years after,
Getting better with each and every tell.
I did learn to make wonderful balls
And on that story, I’d rather not dwell!