It was an interesting evening after a long day at school. The gruesome, never ending day was finally coming to an end. With all the tests, quizzes, papers, and projects I’ve completed in the past week, my stress level was at an all-time high. My aspiration was to reach home as soon as possible. I had no desire to stay at this wretched, prison camp they call school any longer. I was walking home, while the ice cold January wind pierced my skin. This rare cool weather just HAD to arrive on a day I walk home. Great. Due to the bi-polar weather, I failed to bring a jacket. The wind was a whip that lashed me every time I took a step closer to my destination. I couldn’t wait until the day ended.

I finally reached the doorsteps to heaven. As soon as I opened the door, a wall of spices and flavoring invaded my nostrils. My mother was cooking. The warm air in my home masked the cold air of outdoors. I rushed inside to escape the icy wind. The food smelled different from my mother’s usual cooking. This scent was impeccable. It was a sweet smell, but yet spicy. The smell of the cooking grasped my nostrils, as if they were fishhooks. The smell was so great I stopped walking just so I could take a big whiff. I greeted my father, then went to my room where I rested my backpack and my other belongings. I then followed the scent trail to the kitchen. There I greeted my unflagging mother with a hello. She was still cultivating her pot of wonder. Chopped carrots, cabbage, meat, and many other delectable items were on the counter. I glanced inside the melting pot and witnessed several varieties of vegetables, poultry, and pasta dancing in the boiling, spiced broth. My stomach got excited. Suddenly my taste buds were starving for a taste. I was near drooling inside the pot of gold. My mother recognized the look on my face, and responded by telling me to get out of her kitchen.

I left the kitchen in somber, wondering why I could not get my sample. Rather than completing any access school work, homework, or projects I chose to wander aimlessly throughout my house. I thought a little TV would get the soup out of my mind. That did not happen. The invasive smell of the soup was swimming inside my nose. No activity could get the scent off of my mind. I even tried reading! That was the last resort! I returned to the kitchen and asked when the dish would be finished. She replied with, “in a few”. My nose has already convinced my stomach I was hungry. My hunger was now in control. I chose to stay and watch my mom put the finishing touches into the pot. I have never been so excited to taste soup! The smell has completely persuaded my taste buds that this would be one of the best things I have ever tasted in my life.

It was finally dinnertime, and my parents asked me to set the table. I had never been so happy to set a table in my whole entire life. First I grabbed food mats for the table. Then, I dashed back to the kitchen cupboards to find the best plates and forks I could find. At this point I was starving. The luscious fragrance of the soup has left my mind into a state where my brain couldn’t function properly. I grabbed forks and plates for soup… As soon as I noticed my mistake, I collected the silverware to avoid my embarrassment, then put the correct silverware on the table. I sat at the table impatiently, waiting for my parents to come and dine. My mother brought warm French bread and sat it in the center of the table. She told me to freshen up before dinner. I’ve never ran so fast in my life. Entering the bathroom, I quickly turned the faucet and splashed my hands with water. I raced back and a bowl of wonder was sitting there, waiting for me. I quickly sat down and my father said grace. It was the longest prayer of my life. My dad finally said the word that I desperately wanted him to say. He said “Amen”. As soon as he uttered the word, I dug in.

The soup was a journey. It was a mystical quest that relieved me of all stress. The vegetables, meat, spices, and pasta blended inside the soup perfectly. To this day, I believe I died, went to heaven and came back to earth because of this soup. It was so good, I thought it was a dream. My journey soon came to an end. My stomach could only take so much greatness. I thanked my mother for the wonderful experience, then laid down in my bed. I reflected on my experience and came to a conclusion. That was the best soup I’ve ever tasted in my life…