The power of literature

I ran out of oats this morning and tossed some buckwheat into the porridge mix. It was not a success. At best it was tasteless, at worst stodgy and this is coming from someone who likes porridge of all kinds. I don't know if I cooked it badly, if it was a bad batch, buckwheat just doesn't taste like much or a combination of all of these.

My family were all very polite though clearly not eating with enthusiasm. To me Blithe Girl said, "I really prefer just normal porridge Mum."

To her father she said quietly later, "I was thinking while I was eating that Hornblower would eat this because he had to eat many worse things so I can manage this."

This is why I encourage my children to read.