It was the time of the year that the Chinese cook Hop Sing was entitled to his yearly vacation. He put himself out for the Cartwright family who were in possession of the Ponderosa ranch. Not that he minded it because his boss, Ben Cartwright, paid him very well for it. But everyone is entitled to vacation and Hop sing thought so too.
On a beautiful morning the cook went to Ben was in his office busy with the administration. Hop Sing knew that his boss didn’t like this work and that was for him thé selected opportunity to ask permission for vacation.
“Mr Cartwright, is alright if Hop Sing takes a 6 week vacation?”, asked the cook.
Though Ben was so busy with his thought with the administration that he said, “Alright Hop Sing.”
“Thank you Mr Cartwright. See in 8 weeks time”, Hop Sing said cheerful.
He went back to the kitchen. Just then Ben realized what was said to him. The rancher rushed out of his office and ran to the kitchen.
“Hop Sing, did you really say that you are going on an eight weeks vacation, didn’t you?”, Ben asked worried.
“Hop Sing really had said that. But 3 weeks is also good”, answered the loyal cook.
Ben sighed deep and suggested then, “Hop Sing, we make this deal: you get a 3 week vacation in exchange for cook lessons for my sons. During your absence Adam, Hoss and Joseph must cook and do the dishes for 1 week. One cooks and the others do the dishes then. You teach the boys to cook. They can do the dishes already.”
Hop Sing answered, “Good deal Mr Cartwright.”
That afternoon the brothers Adam, Hoss and Little Joe came home in a cheerful mood. It seemed like nothing could disturb their good mood. But their father and Hop Sing did know better.
“I’m curious about what Hop Sing has brewed for tonight”, said Hoss.
The reaction of Joe was, “Whatever it is, you always takes a 2nd portion.”
“And if it is really delicious, a 3rd portion too”, said Adam.
They laughed so that they didn’t even noticed that Ben and Hop Sing had come in.
The rancher coughed and said, “Nice that you are in such a cheerful mood. Now you can cook cozy under supervision of Hop Sing.”
Now their cheerful mood had changed into amazing.
“Pa, why must we go and cook now? Hop Sing is there to do that, isn’t he?”, asked Hoss.
“I have promised Hop Sing a 3 week vacation in exchange for cook lessons for you. In turns 1 of you must cook the whole week and the other 2 do the dishes”, answered Ben.
The brothers looked at each other. They didn’t really feel like it.
“Well, I think there ‘s nothing else to do than to follow those cook lessons. Otherwise we must be starving yet”, said Adam.
When his brother had just spoken out the word ‘starving’ Hoss was almost into the kitchen already. His brothers followed him.
Ben said frowning, “Hop Sing, I have never seen my sons getting so quickly to the kitchen. Good luck with them, Especially with Hoss.”
The cook nodded and rushed to the kitchen. To relax Ben went to read the newspaper.
The brothers tried to pay well attention but that failed. Adam rather wanted to read the book which he bought recently. Joe though about his latest conquest and Hoss was distracted by all the food which was to be found in the kitchen.
“Cartwright brothers pay attention! Otherwise no supper for you!”, Hop Sing said stern.
This helped because now the cook lessons got all attentions.
When Hop Sing had gone on vacation the brothers had to keep the kitchen duties in line. They noticed very quickly that this wasn’t easy.
Joe had the honor to cook in week 1. And so the chore to prepare the meals 7 days long. Even though Ben had full confidence in his sons the rancher was still worried. He knew that the boys really weren’t kings of the kitchen. Though this was a very good test for them.
The breakfast which Joe made was simple but delicious.
“Joe, that was a delicious breakfast. A Little bit less though”, said Hoss.
“Thank you, older brother”, Joe said proud as a peacock.
Adam didn’t say anything because on forehand he knew that his youngest brother would get angry.
Ben said, “Joseph, I’m curious what you dish up for us tonight.”
“That is a big surprise for you”, said Joe.
“Hoss, are you coming to Virginia City to eat there tonight?”, Adam asked then sneaky.
“Good idea of you. And then we send the bill to our younger brother”, Hoss answered laughing.
They saw that Joe had much difficulty not to get angry and for that reason Adam asked, “Pa, are you coming too tonight?”
“Another time son”, answered Ben.
They got up to go to work. That means: Adam and Hoss went to the kitchen to do the dishes. Joe remained at home to prepare the other meals. Ben went to work outside the house.
The whole week Joe had it tough but Adam and Hoss were the suckers to do the dishes. Of course the youngest Cartwright brother made extra much dirty so that Adam and Hoss spent a long time doing the dishes.
In week 2 Hoss was the cook and Adam and Joe had to do the dishes.
On his 1st day Hoss said, “Gentlemen, I hope that it will taste because I have made the breakfast with a whole lot of love.”
“That probably will be Hoss”, said Ben.
“It does look eatable anyway”, Joe said looking at the food.
Hoss looked at Adam and asked, “Do you also have comments on the food?”
“Not yet. I give my answer after I have tasted some”, was his answer.
During the whole meal Hoss kept an eye on his older brother.
After the meal Adam said, “Hoss, your future wife will be enormous pleased with your cooking arts. It tasted excellent.”
“I hadn’t expected anything else”, Hoss said satisfied.
“Talking about future wives: it would have been better when at least 1 of us was married. Then she could cook and do the dishes”, said Joe.
“I’m looking forward to grandchildren for years”, Ben said smiling.
His sons looked at him amazed.
“Then I can take it a bit easier and enjoy them”, the rancher explained.
“But pa, you are still very young and so are we. So for the time being you can only dream about grandchildren”, Adam said on behalf of his brothers.
“Then you just go do the dishes nicely and I go to work”, answered Ben.
They got up and went to do their chores.
When it was Adam’s turn to cook Hoss and Joe had to do the washing up of course. But the brothers decided to sneak out that whole week. At least they tried to. But Ben prevented that.
He said, “When you had to cook Adam has helped with the dishes. Now it’s his turn to cook so then you must do the dishes.”
Hoss and Joe reluctantly admitted that their father was right.
“Good pa. We wash up”, Joe said sighing.
Adam watched smiling but silently. Here by Hoss and Joe didn’t trust it at all anymore.
Adam took care of a perfect breakfast and the other meals were appreciated by his father and brothers. Though one morning Adam had made very strong coffee. This was because his brothers complained the previous day that the coffee was undrinkable. To make the strong coffee drinkable somehow Adam put a can for water on the table.
“Adam, pour another coffee in for your little brothers”, said Hoss.
He held his cup high so that Adam could pour in. Joe did the same. Adam poured in the coffee and went then to the kitchen.
“Delicious coffee made by our older brother”, Joe said before he took a sip.
Hoss said, “Our brother is able to turn his hand to anything.”
They both took a big sip and the steam came literally out of their ears
“What a dirty coffee”, Joe said angry.
They put down their cup and ran out of the house. Adam came out of the kitchen with a tea towel across his shoulder and a can of water in his hand
“I don’t understand why they left so quickly. Probably an attack of heavy work fever”, Adam said smiling.
Ben came downstairs and took a cup of coffee.
“Delicious coffee, Adam”, said de rancher.
“Thanks pa. Because Hoss and Joe complained so about the weak coffee yesterday that I made especially for them extra strong coffee”, said Adam.
“Well, I will be glad when Hop Sing takes care of our meals tomorrow again. You can cook well but …”, began Ben.
“Nobody can cook as good and delicious as Hop Sing”, answered Adam.
“Exactly”, said his father.
Adam made sure that the kitchen was totally clean and cleared up before Hop Sing came home again. The Chinese cook came home again late that afternoon and helped Adam with the preparing of a super delicious meal. But Hop Sing remained out of sight though so that the others didn’t notice anything.
Finally for the Cartwrights an end had come of 3 very long weeks and they got served normal meals by a rested Hop Sing.