GRANDMA’S CHRISTMAS PIE

“Be sure to remember to tell Grandma how much you like her pumpkin pie.”

“But what if I don’t like it?”

“It doesn’t matter whether you like it or not. Just pretend. Just be sure to tell Grandma that you thought it was wonderful.”

“But isn’t that telling a fib?”

“I guess it is in a way. But a little fib like that doesn’t hurt anybody, and it will make Grandma feel good. There are times when it is better to tell a little fib than to hurt somebody’s feelings.”

“Well, I’ll try to like it.”

“Thank you. Grandma used to cook wonderful meals, and the most wonderful of all was her pumpkin pies. But she is old now, and she doesn’t cook anything anymore, except for the pumpkin pie at Christmas. I’m afraid last year’s pie wasn’t very good at all, but we all told her we liked it. And we’ll tell her that again this year.”

“That’s kind of the same thing as telling her we love her, isn’t it?”

“Absolutely!”

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Christmas dinner was wonderful. There was plenty of everything – asparagus, pickles, artichokes, catfish and lettuce!

Then Grandma came in from the kitchen carrying her pumpkin pie. Jimmy said he only wanted a small piece. Mommy took a small piece too. So did everybody else.

Jimmy took a very small bite. He glanced up and noticed that Grandma was looking at him. He smiled a big bright smile. “Wow, Grandma! This pie is wonderful.”

He looked across the table at Mommy, who hadn’t even started her pie yet. She winked at him.

“This really is good, Mommy.”

Mommy smiled and winked again.

“Mommy, this really is good pie.”

Mommy nodded her head, smiled, and winked again.  Jimmy noticed that Grandma was watching them talk.

“Mommy, the pie is great. It’s not at all like you said it might be. I didn’t have to pretend at all when I said I liked it.”