How to Eat Raw Woms...the live performance.

There’s just something special about young boys when they get together that sparks a certain adventurous energy.  Think…Little Rascals…Bad News Bears…Goonies…

The kindergarten class had recently taken a field trip to a local community theater to preview the live adaptation of the children's book "How to Eat Fried Worms."

Last weekend my two oldest boys walked down to our neighbor’s house to play in the backyard sprinkler with their young kids and a friend from the neighborhood.  The group had a blast running through the water, splashing and otherwise just “being boys.”  My wife and I strolled down later for an impromptu BBQ and enjoyed some good conversation while the herd of muddy little pirates roamed the yard and chased one another.

Once we corralled them to the “kid’s table” and attempted to get them focused on partaking in the traditional kid summer meal of hot dogs and baked beans, I started to hear giggling from our neighbor’s daughter, the only girl amongst the gaggle of guys.  As I listened I got the idea that my oldest son had done a bit of entertaining before we arrived.  I was curious as to what feat of strength he had bestowed upon the young audience when I caught the punch line…

“Caedon ate TWO WORMS!”

Instantly the kids roared and started shouting out their version of the tale as my son turned red with either excitement, embarrassment…or maybe a bit of both.

I asked him, already knowing the answer…”Is that true kiddo?  Did you eat worms?”

“Just two…and I didn’t eat ‘em Dad…I just swallowed ‘em.  The first one didn’t taste like anything but the second one tasted like dirt.”

Then one of the kids spoke up and said “Brody ate one too!”

When I asked him, Brody’s response was :

“I did not eat it!...I just put it in my mouth for little bit and spit it out!”   

Thanks for clarifying Brody…

Now I know my boys are not picky eaters compared to a lot of kids their age, but I have still heard them argue and negotiate their way out of many a delicious meal…and yet they eat worms…

The adults were all openly disgusted and/or embarrassed, depending on whether the child was their offspring or not…me, I was secretly just a little impressed.  That is a pretty daring feat. In the right crowd it could probably score a guy $5 bucks.   Not sure that I could do it.  There was a time in college…but the worm had long since drowned in tequila.

This is going to be a really good summer.