The golden morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, gently landing on the cozy dining table in the middle of the house. A cheerful hum could be heard in the kitchen—Lala’s mom was busy preparing breakfast. The warm smell of toasted bread mixed with the faint earthy aroma of vegetables waiting on the counter.
At the center of the counter sat two humble stars of the day: a plump golden potato and a bright orange sweet potato. Their presence might have seemed ordinary, but for little Lala, today, they represented a very important decision.
Lala had been given the responsibility of choosing the main ingredient for lunch. Mom had said with a smile:
“Lala, you get to decide. Do we cook with potato or sweet potato today?”
It was not just about food. To Lala, it felt like being trusted with something big, like being part of the grown-up world where choices mattered.
The Big Question
Lala stood in front of the counter, hands on her hips, eyes narrowing in deep concentration. Her brown curls bounced slightly as she tilted her head from one vegetable to the other.
The potato looked reliable and familiar. It had been part of her favorite mashed potato dish so many times, and she loved dipping fries into ketchup with a giggle. On the other hand, the sweet potato seemed almost magical. It promised a sugary taste that reminded her of cozy evenings when mom baked them in the oven, their orange flesh glowing warmly.
“Hmm,” Lala whispered to herself, “do I want soft and buttery mashed potatoes, or sweet and yummy roasted sweet potatoes?”
Her baby brother, lying in his crib nearby, gurgled as if offering his own opinion. Lala chuckled.
“You’re no help, are you?”
CUTIS and the Baby Monkey’s Input
Just then, CUTIS, the family’s golden retriever, padded into the kitchen. His shiny coat glistened in the sunlight, and his tail wagged happily. Behind him, the curious baby monkey—who had become part of the family’s funny adventures—leapt onto the counter with a mischievous grin.
“Hey! No stealing!” Lala said, pointing her little finger at the monkey, who had already reached for the potato. CUTIS barked once, almost as if agreeing with Lala.
The monkey sniffed the potato, then tossed it aside like it wasn’t exciting enough. His tiny hands grabbed the sweet potato, and he hugged it close like it was treasure. CUTIS, not to be outdone, picked the potato up carefully in his mouth and proudly dropped it at Lala’s feet.
Lala clapped her hands in delight. “Oh, so you two are choosing too? Monkey likes sweet potato, and CUTIS says potato. Now it’s two against one—I’m still stuck!”
A Taste Test Idea
Lala’s eyes sparkled with an idea.
“I know! We’ll have a taste test. That way, we’ll see which one is better for today!”
Mom, amused by the little council forming in the kitchen, agreed. “Alright, little chef. Let’s bake both and decide.”
Soon, the oven was warming up. Mom sliced the potato into golden wedges and drizzled them with olive oil, a pinch of salt, and herbs. The sweet potato was cut into cubes, sprinkled with cinnamon, and drizzled with honey. The kitchen filled with irresistible aromas as the trays roasted side by side.
Lala, CUTIS, and the monkey sat in a row, like an eager audience waiting for a show to begin.
The Moment of Truth
When the food was ready, mom placed the two dishes on the table. On one plate, crispy potato wedges gleamed, their savory scent making everyone’s stomach growl. On the other, glistening cubes of sweet potato looked like little orange jewels.
“Alright, taste test!” mom announced.
Lala picked up a potato wedge first. The crunch echoed as she bit into it, and her eyes widened with satisfaction.
“Mmm, so yummy! Just like I imagined.”
Next, she tried a sweet potato cube. Its natural sweetness mixed with honey melted in her mouth. Her face lit up even brighter.
“Oh no… this one is also so, so good!”
CUTIS gently took a potato wedge from Lala’s hand and wagged his tail in approval. The monkey stuffed a sweet potato cube into his mouth and squealed happily, thumping the table with excitement.
Mom laughed at the sight. “Looks like we’re all still divided.”
Lala’s Sweet Dilemma
Lala leaned back in her chair, tapping her chin like a wise thinker. “If I choose potato, the monkey will be sad. If I choose sweet potato, CUTIS will be sad. And if I don’t choose… we’ll never eat!”
She glanced at both plates again. Her tummy grumbled. She loved them both so much, and her family seemed to love them too.
“What do I do?” she asked softly.
Mom sat down beside her and put a gentle hand on her shoulder. “You know, Lala, sometimes a choice doesn’t mean picking one thing and giving up the other. Sometimes the best choice is finding a way to enjoy both.”
Lala’s eyes lit up like little stars. “You mean… we can eat both together?”
“Why not?” mom smiled.
A Special Dish
Excited, Lala jumped from her chair and ran to fetch a big bowl. Together with mom, she mixed the golden potato wedges with the honey-glazed sweet potato cubes. They added a sprinkle of parsley on top, and the colors blended beautifully—orange and gold side by side.
“It looks like sunshine in a bowl!” Lala declared proudly.
When they served it for lunch, everyone dug in happily. CUTIS munched on potato wedges under the table, the monkey chattered joyfully with sweet potato in his cheeks, and the baby clapped his hands at the cheerful scene.
Lala took a big bite of the mixed dish, and her heart felt full. Not only did she get to enjoy her favorite foods, but she had also learned something special: sometimes the best choice is not choosing at all, but sharing everything together.
Lesson of the Day
As the family sat around the table, Lala spoke with a proud smile:
“Today, I learned that potato and sweet potato are both wonderful. They may be different, but together they make the meal even better.”
Mom kissed her forehead. “That’s a wise lesson, my little chef.”
The monkey playfully tossed a cube of sweet potato toward CUTIS, who caught it mid-air, and everyone laughed. The baby squealed in delight at the funny scene, as if cheering for his siblings—both human and animal.
That evening, as the sun set in soft orange hues, Lala thought back to her big decision. What had started as a simple question—potato or sweet potato—had turned into a beautiful reminder about sharing, compromise, and creativity.
Her sweet dilemma had led to the sweetest meal of all.
