BURPING

It was a rarity that Adam Cartwright was alone at home at the Ponderosa ranch with his children, the twins ten year old Mitch and Pam. They were very curious but also interested in other cultures and habits.

That evening the Chinese cook Hop Sing had prepared a delicious meal for the 3 Cartwrights. On request of the twins they ate in the kitchen which was a virtue for Hop Sing.

During supper Pam suddenly asked, “Daddy, why is it rude to burp after the meal?”

“Because it’s not neat and respectable”, answered Adam.

“When a baby does it it’s alright. And when we do it we get a tap”, reacted Mitch.

Adam explained, “A baby may do that because it’s good for the child. You are old and wise enough to know that it’s unrespectable.”

Then Hop Sing went to interfere with it.

“By the Chinese people is polite to burp after meal. Sign that it was tasteful”, the cook said.

Mitch and Pam looked at each other laughing and Adam suspected the worst.

“Is it really true what Hop Sing says?”, Mitch asked for the security.

Adam nodded and said, “I don’t want that you do it when the others are there or when we have guests.”

“Promised daddy”, the twins said at the same time, followed by a healthy and hard burp coming out of 2 little Cartwright throats.

“Twins quick learners”, Hop Sing said satisfied.

Adam didn’t say anything but knew that he would have to make a whole lot to do with his children.