Lesson 17:Pancakes

Just then, Ari felt someone tap the back of her chair.She turned around and saw Nikko, the transfer student.He said, “Hi, Ari. I saw your floating pancakes. Have youever tried them?”“Have you?” Ari blurted out. “I mean, well, I’m a littlecurious about them—even though they aren’t exactlyconvenient.”“Well,” Nikko explained, “back where I come from,some people still cook them. In fact, quite a few of usstill cook all kinds of food the old-fashioned way—andmy Uncle Robertus makes the best pancakes of anyoneI know. Mom and I are going to visit him this Saturday.Ask if you can come with us. Uncle Robertus can showyou how to make real golden pancakes.”“Wow! That’s so nice of you,” Ari said, relieved. “Iwas feeling kind of overwhelmed by the recipes. It’ll be somuch easier to learn from a person! But I’m not sure mygrandma will let me go to such a primitive—”Ari stopped, horrified by the statement she hadthoughtlessly begun.“If your grandma told you about pancakes, she’s wiseenough to know that there’s nothing wrong with being alittle old-fashioned,” Nikko said.10