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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Liz Young
As of this Wednesday morning I will only be back in the country a day or so. In anticipation of jet lag I’m sharing a snippet of my the last book of Havah’s trilogy. AS ONE MUST, ONE CAN. I’ve reworked it a bit to fit into the stand-alone (which I hope it does) 100 word format.
When I was writing this novel, set in Kansas City, Missouri in 1908, I was thrilled to find that this Chinese restaurant my family frequented during the 1950’s was in existence way back when. I thought Havah should enjoy it, too. 😉
A GOOD JEWISH MEAL
Havah marveled at the glossy woodwork that adorned the dining room of the King Joy Lo restaurant. She drank in unfamiliar aromas.
Picking up a pair of ivory sticks beside her plate, she studied the elegant calligraphy etched into them. “These are beautiful, but what are they for?”
“Chopsticks. For eating.” The waiter took them and lifted a piece of chicken between them. “Easy. Even babies in China use. Now you.”
Try as she might, they slipped between her fingers and fell amid the noodles on her plate.
“How on earth do they do it?”
“Like American babies. Very messy.”
CLICK to find out more about Havah’s Journey
Here are a few pictures of King Joy Lo through the years:
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Lol! I never could master this technique. 😂
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Dear Sadje,
I worked in a Chinese restaurant when I was younger. The owner taught me how to use chopsticks. Now I can’t eat Asian food with a fork. It doesn’t seem right. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My pleasure Rochelle.
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A most reassuring answer after the clever set-up
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Thank you for such a lovely comment, Neil.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I suspect we’ve all been there. Like many westerners, I defaulted back to a knife and fork!
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Dear Iain,
You and my husband. I learned to use chopsticks years ago and now it just doesn’t seem right to eat Asian food with a fork. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Asian food tastes so much nicer when eaten with chopsticks, although it can take quite a while to consume it compared to using a fork! When I was in a restaurant in Beijing, a waiter gave me a gadget which you attach to a set of chopsticks so they become like a long pair of tweezers! I purchased several of them to make life easier for friends when joining me for a Chinese meal!
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Dear Keith,
I’ve seen the gadgets to make chopsticks easier. Like training wheels on a bicycle. I’ve been using chopsticks for so long that I can and do eat way too fast with them. A fork just seems so wrong.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Agree!
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This absolutely worked – a pleasure to read as always, Rochelle.
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Thank you so much, Mr. B. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You were writing the book in 1908? I didn’t think you were THAT old 🙂
I love good Chinese food. I’ve tried and tried, but can’t get the hang of the chopsticks. Maybe I’ll You Tube it, hoping that will help.
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Dear Linda,
I’m sure there’s an instructional on You Tube. There is for everything else. 😉 voila! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iin3Grr84ZU Have fun learning. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Now all I need is a set of chopstick:)
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😀
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I love this snippet of Havah’s introduction to America. It is totally a stand alone.
Tracey
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Dear Tracey,
I’m glad this worked for you. Thank you for your validating comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Definitely works as a stand alone piece, Rochelle, and how exciting to find a connection between your time and hers. Beautifully done, as ever!
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Dear Jen,
I’m so glad it worked. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A nice story and introduction of Chinese food for Havah. You master the chops well. Me….not so much. I can, like Havah, use them but very messy. I’ll stick to the fork.
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Dear Jan,
You just might be MORE American than apple pie. 😉
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This made me laugh. The first time I used chopsticks, I was messy like an American baby. This snippet from your book fits very well with the prompt.
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Dear Lish,
Not everything comes easily, does it? 😉 Thank you re my snippet.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice story and good to hear the place is still in business.
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Dear Lisa,
I didn’t mean to mislead. King Joy Lo burned down in the late 50’s. One of the brothers opened a restauraunt called House of Toy. Alas, it’s no longer in business either. The good news is that Kansas City has many Asian options. Back in the late 50’s, early 60’s there were only one or two. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I think I read/listened too fast and missed important details. Thanks for filling in what I missed.
Shalom,
Lisa
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I might not have been all that clear either, Lisa. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well, duh. I just read that sentence again. Face palm.
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LOL 😀
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Sounds like me trying to use chop sticks. Very messy! Well done.
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Thank you, Athling. (Practice makes perfect 😉 )
Shalom,
Rochelle
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interesting that the restaurant is still around after all these years. it must have served the local community well. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel,
Sadly King Joy Lo is no longer in business as it burned down in the late 50’s. Good news. Kansas City has many brilliant Asian restaurant options. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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sad to know.
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LOL…love that last line, it’s perfect!
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😀 Thank you, Dawn.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The real challenge is mastering the art of eating rice with chopsticks. I give up. 😀
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Dear Tannille,
I can pick up a grain of rice with chopsticks. But there are times I resort to a spoon. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle for this snippet of childhood challenges. Reminds me of my first experience in a Chinese restaurant back in San Francisco in 1970, I was five. After a long walk, up and down hills that seemed to go on for hours. We finally arrived at the traditional restaurant that my Papa had set his heart on. Low tables and cushions…and only chopsticks…after trying and trying….Mummy insisted they gave me a fork.They only spoke Chinese…
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Dear Susan,
Oh my. What an experience. Thank you for sharing. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
This was a lovely modification of your story. Chopsticks are a must in my house when we eat anything Asian. It helps to slow down (not really, we are all too adept!). There is something about Chinese food and Jews – especially at Christmas 😉
Shalom and lotsa easy-picking love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Deck the hars with bows of horry….;) My father was a New York Jew, so I was raised on Chinese food. He was friends with the owners of King Joy Lo.
I’m too adept with chopsticks, too. I can pick up a grain of rice and they don’t slow me down. 😉 More’s the pity. I eat too fast.
Glad you enjoyed my snippet. I was told by one of my beta readers that I should take that scene out of AOMOC because it read like an advert for old KC. I disagreed. It was part of KC history
Thank you.
Shalom and lotsa noodle-slurping hugs,
Rochelle
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Same (grain of rice). However, I do eat a smidge slower with them – try not to shovel as much.
And I agree with you. It’s history; why not include it?
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My whole family prides itself on using chopsticks – and IMO the food does taste better!
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Dear Liz,
Exactly. A fork is so wrong for Asian food. Actually I’ve found that salad is easier to eat with chopsticks.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story, I could never really master chopsticks and I love the last sentence 😃
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Dear Angela,
Sorry about the chopsticks 😉 but glad you enjoyed my story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Big points for the punchline. My mom loves Chinese food. Every time I visit her, we have to go to her favorite Chinese restaurant. I used to fear the chopsticks. Now, I even use them when I go out for Vietnamese, which is probably very offensive.
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Dear Nobbin,
If eating with chopsticks at a Vietnamese restaurant is offensive, they shouldn’t put them out. 😉 I eat my Pho with chopsticks and spoon. As I’ve said in former comments, it just doesn’t feel right to eat Asian food with a fork. Actually I’ve found great success eating salads with chopsticks. I can pick up the smallest pieces that roll off the fork. (I know you needed to know that. 😉 )
At any rate, glad you liked my punchline. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. That’s why I keep this challenge going. It’s all about the interaction.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A very sweet and nostalgic story. I’m telling you, using chopsticks is a difficult feat, that’s why in China they have to start as babies. 🙂 Happy travels!
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Dear Brenda,
I learned to use chopsticks many years ago when I worked in a Chinese restaurant for a wonderful Cantonese family. Since then, I can’t bear to eat Asian food with a fork. It seems so wrong. 😉
As for the travels, I’m back in the Midwest since last week. Sigh. That trip went by so fast.
Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
This was a fun read. I’ve never eaten with chopsticks. Kudos to those who have mastered them. This worked perfectly as a stand alone. Have a fun and safe trip.
Shalom,
Adele
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Dear Adele,
I enjoy eating Asian foods with chopsticks. I actually find that eating salads with them preferable to the fork. With chopticks I can pick up the little things that roll of my fork. 😉 At any rate, glad you enjoyed my story. 😀
As for the trip. I’ve been back in the Midwest for the past week. The first couple of days were filled with jet lag. Ugh.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Haha, love his explanation. Nice story.
I am Havah with slippery chopsticks. I don’t suppose I’ll ever get the hang of it.
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Dear Brit,
Once you get the hang of them, chopsticks are simple and will pick up more than you can with a fork. At least that’s my experience. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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