The boy who hated ice creams

'I scream,you scream,we all scream for ice creams' Mathew also screams when he sees ice creams,but fortunately for me, what he lets out is a scream of intense dislike.Mathew hates ice creams or any other cold dessert.I remember a 'Thennali Raman' story where he gives his cat a bowl of hot milk straight from the stove to drink.The poor cat unaware of the prank,greedily takes a big gulp from the pan.After this nightmarish experience,the sight of milk made the cat shriek and shudder.But,Mathew's aversion for ice creams cannot be accounted for by any such horrible experience.
Here is the story of "The boy who hated ice creams",my fairy tale version of what happened to Mathew's senses on a destined day in his kindergarten.


I went for a one day tour to Kappad in my fifth standard.At the end of the day we were given ice creams and there was a girl in my class who didn't like ice creams.I was surprised to learn that such people existed."How could someone hate such a lovely thing as a cup of ice cream." I thought.And just for a moment,I wished I'd someone in my family who hated ice creams(I didn't specifically say my little brother,actually I didn't think about it that way).

There was a fairy named Mandy who lived in the woods near Kappad.She was a good hearted fairy who was always ready to lend a helping hand,but she suffered from the incorrigible but benign ailment named forgetfulness.One day she was resting on the branches of a palm tree ,enjoying her nap,after the lunch.It was then that she heard a sweet little girl making a simple wish.The fairy was in a very good spirits that day,and it was also a long time since she used her wand.So she decided to shower her providence over the charming girl.

She flew over to the kindergarten in Presentation and decided to cast a spell over the innocent boy who was busy playing Hide and seek in the school ground.Now,by the time the fairy reached the school,she was exhausted.She had a long flight from Kappad to Presentation and her wings were hurting.She wanted to finish the job and return to the woods before dawn.She raised her wand,but suddenly she was confused..

"Now,what did the little girl want,was it ice creams or chocolates?" Mandy wondered.No matter how hard she thought, she couldn't make up her mind.. At last, she lost her patience and gave up.She was already late,the sun was beginning to set.She chose the only option that was left.

"Let the little boy hate both ice creams and chocolates".Saying this,she flew back home.

The fairy forgot to add that"Let his share be enjoyed by his younger sister" (I must say that this was a big mistake from the part of the fairy,especially when the boy had two sisters and one of them had clear domination over the other).

Thus,Mathew grew up hating both ice creams and chocolates.

"Why don't you just taste it?"I'll ask while happily devouring his share.

"It is so cold,my tongue gets numbed" He would reply

"Then why don' t you eat it after after sometime, It may suit you then"

"But,then it is isn't ice cream anymore" he would say.

Anyway,we didn't urge him to taste it many times,what if he unfortunately started liking the taste!!!

Luckily,the fairy had cast a strong spell,he never ate more than a spoon .Everytime we attend a marriage I always make it a point to get a seat beside him,I don't want anyone else to lay hands over his share.He knows that I'm utilizing his 'weak point' and he'll sulk while I happily savour his cup of ice cream.Sometimes,when he can no longer withstand seeing me relishing his share, he'll say "Next time I'll eat my share of dessert.You needn't set your eyes on it".
Ahh!!poor boy,I could empathize with him,He so wants to like the ice cream,but he is helpless.His taste buds have been created(I mean,altered) in a unique way,favourable for his sisters. In the beginning I was worried about these 'next times' when he has threatened to have his share.But,thanks to the dear fairy!!each time he tastes the ice cream,it seems to numb his senses stronger than ever before,that these tasting experiments seems to hike his repulsion to the dessert.So,now ,when he says "I'll have my dessert" I'll hand him the cup willingly,sometimes Ieven boldly say "O.K,but don't think I'll eat what you have licked!"
If ice cream is too cold,chocolate is too bitter for him.After taking a bite of chocolate,he puts on an expression like he has drunk a cup of kashayam.Watching this sight is indeed an exhilarating experience for me.He likes chocolate-wafer combination as in Munch,but simply detests dairy milk and five star.The latest choco-treat that I enjoyed was a whole packet of Hershley's nuggets,another pack of Ferrero Rocher(I simply love this one)that Deechechi sent us two months back.I had no worries as to whether the packet would be empty when I wake up the next day.Now,Mathew is fifteen.He hates many more things that ordinary people enjoy(extension of the spell?)pepsi,cococola,all soft drinks.
Once,Amma told him"Eda,you should never,not even for fun take a drink of alcohol."
He replied with sigh"Why should you worry? I can't even take a sip of soda!"