It so happened that last year my in-laws came to visit us on New Year’s Eve. A married couple with a grown-up son. They came in the morning, sat for a while, refused breakfast. They left their things and went to see other relatives. However, they said they would celebrate at our place.
All day long I am slaving away in the kitchen. I try to cook for the dear guests. I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of my relatives. Otherwise they will tell the whole village how badly they were served.
I make salads, not simple but delicious, to make my guests happy. With shrimps, expensive red fish and red caviar. I can not rejoice myself, because I rarely cook such exquisite dishes, even on holidays. But for my relatives, especially for the New Year, it is not a pity.
I made nine different salads, not counting the different appetizers and canapés. I also made a big cheese and meat platter. I grilled some vegetables and chicken. And I think the guests will be surprised by such delicious dishes. I wanted to feed them something especially tasty, so that they would remember the trip to their relatives for a long time.
It was already eight o’clock in the evening. My husband and I began to worry that they would not come to us and would be staying with some other relatives. We called them to find out whether to wait for them or not.
The relatives arrived tired around 9:00. While they showered and cleaned up, I was setting the holiday table at that time. The table turned out really chic. The guests were sure to be happy.
I called everyone to the table. The relatives took their places and let’s look at the table.
I told them not to be shy and help themselves to whatever they want. I ask them what to put. Salad, fish, caviar? The hot meal will be ready soon. Help yourselves.
They put a spoonful of salad. They sit and chew, and their faces are very unhappy. And you can see that the mood is not New Year’s Eve. At first I thought they were tired, because they spent the whole day visiting relatives.
– What is it? – I asked.
And the head of their family answers:
– What are you treating us with, mistress? We came to visit you. And what have you prepared? We are hungry. We have been on our feet all day and have hardly eaten anything. Where’s the meat, the potatoes? What did you give us your salads for? If we knew, we’d have brought our own food. You can eat your own salads. The guests should have tastier dishes on the table, not this. It’s New Year’s Eve after all!
After his words, my festive mood instantly disappeared.And I told my family this quietly:
– That guests are dear. Do not like my salads, then leave. I have tried all day to feed you more delicious, and you serve potatoes! Haven’t you had enough of them in your village? Goodbye, then! And don’t forget to tell the whole village how I left you hungry!
They began to be indignant, where to go and so on. But quickly packed their things and went to other relatives. Let them eat potatoes with meat there!
