Little Bear Story: Who Loves Corn Pancakes
Little Bear stared at the rusty frying pan, feeling more and more sad, tears welling up in his eyes.
Around this time last year, when fresh corn was in season, Mom would clean the frying pan until it shone and make corn pancakes for him every day.
The way Mom made corn pancakes was like magic: in a few swift moves, she’d wash the corn cobs, shave off the kernels, then quickly mash them into corn paste. She’d add an egg, then, with a “snap,” light the stove, brush a thin layer of oil on the frying pan, and spread the corn paste evenly over it. In no time, the delightful aroma would waft through the air. Finally, Mom would plate the golden corn pancakes on a white dish and sprinkle fine green onions on top.
Then, wiping her sweat, she would ask, “Sweetie, do you like it?”
Little Bear’s answer was always, “What bear doesn’t love corn pancakes?”
Yes, what bear doesn’t love corn pancakes? But this year, how could Mom have forgotten this?!
Mom must have forgotten because ever since spring, she had been leaving early and coming back late every day until now.
Little Bear’s tears splashed onto the frying pan.
“This is the pan for making corn pancakes; how can it have tears on it?” he thought, quickly grabbing a cloth to wipe it. As he wiped away the tears, some of the rust came off too. Suddenly, an idea struck him, “Maybe if Mom sees this frying pan, she’ll remember something.”
Little Bear kept wiping until the pan was shiny and placed it by the door, so Mom would see it as soon as she came in.
After a while, he thought, “If Mom sees the pan next to some corn, she’ll surely remember something.”
When Little Bear returned with a few fresh corn cobs, he thought again, “If I brush some oil on the pan, won’t Mom understand what I mean?” So he moved the pan back to the kitchen.
“What bear doesn’t love corn pancakes?” Little Bear muttered to himself as he busied himself…
“Ding dong! Ding dong!” The doorbell rang just as Little Bear was wiping sweat with a towel. He hung up the towel and went to open the door, surprised to see Mom home so early.
While changing her shoes, Mom said, “Look what I brought you!” She pulled a tote bag from behind her back, revealing several fresh corn cobs. If it were yesterday, Little Bear would have jumped up in surprise and joy, but today, he just smiled and said, “Oh.”
Holding the corn, Mom walked towards the kitchen, saying, “Mom’s work is finally complete. These past few months of early mornings and late nights haven’t been in vain! Today, I finally have time to make my beloved sweetie some…”
“Ah!” Mom’s delighted voice was suddenly cut off.
Little Bear walked into the kitchen nervously and saw Mom wiping her eyes with a towel.
Little Bear stole a glance at the two plates of corn pancakes on the table and said softly, “Mom, this is my first time making them. They didn’t turn out well…”
Mom put down the towel and smiled, “No, you did great. I never expected—”
Little Bear said, “Mom, then you—”
Mom hugged Little Bear tightly, “Mom’s—eyes are just—a bit sweaty!”
Now, Mom and Little Bear are enjoying the delicious corn pancakes.
Little Bear couldn’t help but ask, “Mom, do you like them?”
Mom smiled, “What bear doesn’t love corn pancakes?!”
Little Bear saw a look of happiness in Mom’s eyes; he didn’t realize that his own eyes held the same sparkle.
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
