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Spiky Foods

Spiky Foods Keep Your Mind Sharp

On a twisty old road along the edge of the world,
where the sea crashes into the rocks,
far past the town and the stores,
just past the old fishing docks
lies Spiky Foods.

It's a little ramshackle, it could use some new paint,
but it's a tasty place to go eat.
Stop by one day, pull up a chair
and chances are good that you'll meet
Spiky Pete.

Spiky Pete is a young chef, a real up-and-comer,
who only cooks foods that have spikes.
If you ask him why, he'll tell you quite plainly
"Because spikes are what Spiky Pete likes!"
So there!

Spiky Pete is a porcupine (just so you know),
so he knows spiky things very well.
This you must know before you hear his story --
the one that's his favorite to tell.
About Big Man.

It was a hot summer day in the middle of June.
The lunch shift had just begun.
Without warning he came, stood in the doorway,
and blocked out the light of the sun.
BIG MAN.

"I am here and I am hungry," Big Man did bellow.
"Bring spiky food, and bring plenty!
I have been craving your food and travelling for days:
three thousand miles, plus twenty!
Feed Me!"

"Please come in sir, and sit yourself down,
Welcome to my humble venue."
Spiky Pete cleared the table, pulled out a chair
and presented Big Man with a menu.
"Here you go."

With barely a glance Big Man tossed the menu;
out the window to the ocean it flew.
"Start bringing me food, all that you have --
not one morsel less will do!"
"Let's Go!"

A first-course fruit salad Spiky Pete made,
served in a horned melon fruit.
Freshly-picked rambutan - a rare tasty treat
that's wrapped in a spiky red suit.
Yum, juicy!

Big Man had seconds, then thirds and then fourths,
his appetite was that of a horse.
He ate ten more fruit salads, then yelled to the kitchen,
"Ok, bring out the next course --
RIGHT NOW!"

Artichokes next, some tasty green thistles
grown right down the road on the coast
Stuffed and then steamed, the best in the land --
though Spiky Pete does not like to boast.
(Too much)

One by one they were tossed high up in the air,
into Big Man's mouth opened wide.
Down his throat to his stomach they fell with a plop --
Big Man's hunger would not be denied.
"WHAT'S NEXT?"

Scuba diving that morning, Spiky Pete found
ingredients for the next dish.
He scooped them all up and spent all day cooking --
A sea-urchin stuffed pufferfish!
Super Spiky!

Big Man was impressed and paused just a moment
before he began to chow down.
Without a word he ate every morsel --
enough to feed a small town!
"Not Bad!"

"Time for dessert," declared Spiky Pete.
This dish tastes just like a dream.
A light airy taste for a hot summer day:
Pineapples on cactus ice cream.
Way Cool.

Thirty-two servings of this tasty treat
were quickly laid out on the table
Big Man ate them all before they could melt
"Now I'll eat more, because I am able."
He smiled.

Spiky Pete was prepared to meet Big Man's challenge
So an extra dessert he did make.
He presented it proudly while holding his nose:
An eight-layer durian cake!
Deep goodness.

The durian's smell is as strong as its spikes,
like a wet skunk, some folks claim.
Yet Spiky Pete's cake tasted so yummy,
it brought him world-wide acclaim.
Prize-winning.

Big Man eyed the cake, then sniffed it a bit,
took a nibble, then a small bite or two
Then all at once he swallowed it whole --
how he did this no one quite knew.
"DELICIOUS!"

"Now, bring me some more" demanded Big Man.
"I have not yet had my fill!"
"There's nothing left," said Spiky Pete,
"so perhaps I should just bring your bill."
Check, please!

"Wait, wait," Big Man said, banging his hand on the table.
"I see some more spikes I can eat!"
A giant finger on a giant hand
pointed right at Spiky Pete!
"Come here!"

"Wait just a moment," a panicked Pete squeaked.
"I think that perhaps, in a sack
in the back of the kitchen are some more spiky foods.
I'll go cook them, and then come right back."

...

But he never did.