The Savvy Chef | Best Of Fairy Tales | Bedtime Stories | English Parisa's Stories

The Savvy Chef Once upon a time, there was a chef named Gretel, who worked for a rich family. Although her master is rich, they are a very stingy person and often starve Gretel. They never leave her any food, even when they have a big party. I'm so starving. I've been cooking non-stop since morning, and my stomach is still empty. Master made me serve all the food on the table. There's nothing left. I guess I had to wait for all the leftovers then. However, there are times when there is nothing left and I go hungry all day. He's so stingy. I worked that hard all by myself, and yet he only pays a little and often makes me go to bed with an empty stomach. Wow, that cut of meat looks absolutely mouth-watering. Why can't I have just a bite of that delicious food I make? If only they had some leftovers, even just a little bit. Oh no, it seems like they're going to eat all the meat. Gretel, bring me a new bottle of wine. Yes ma'am, coming right up. Here is your wine, ma'am. Look at her covetous eyes with that plate of meat. She looks as if we're starving her. If it weren't for her good cooking skill, I would have fired her a long time ago. Get back to the kitchen. What are you standing here for? I will call whenever I need anything. Don't disturb our meal with the precious guests. Yes ma'am. I can't take my eyes off that delicious plate of meat. I'm the one who made it, but I never got to taste it even once. If only I could try it once. But it's likely impossible. Master counts the amount of meat in the fridge every day. If he finds out I ate any, he won't forgive me. Oh, but I'm really hungry. Let's hope there's some leftovers in the pot. I'll eat those. Fortunately, there's a little bit of leftover meat. The masters are truly stingy. There's a whole party out there, but they don't leave me anything. They always let me starve. I'll just eat this leftover then. Let's see. A piece of bread with this meat along with the gravy would be a fine meal. I can't wait. Gretel? What are you doing? Don't tell me that you're eating in secret. Uh, I... I knew it. You were going to eat in secret again. How many times have I said working here means no eating in secret? You're a chef. That's unprofessional. I... I just want to eat this leftover shredded meat. That's also forbidden. Also, what was your attitude earlier? Why were you staring at the plate of meat on our table? You make me so embarrassed, you know that? My guests will think that we starved you. Because I... I'm so hungry. If you're hungry, then wait for the leftovers. Next time I see you eating in secret again, I'll punish you harshly, understand? Now hurry and prepare the dessert. The cakes inside are very expensive. I've already counted the number. So don't even think of eating anything. Or else. Yes sir, I'll do that right away. It's hard being a chef for a stingy family. Huh. Everyone envies me for being accepted as the chef of a rich family. They think I'm well paid and often get to eat delicious food. But no one knows that I have to suffer like this. Are you feeding the chickens? Are they ready to be cooked? Yes sir. These chickens are all ready to be cooked. Good. Today we will have a guest coming to discuss our contract. Use the biggest chicken and roast it well. And remember, this is an important guest. So the table has to be well prepared and look delicious. It has to be flawless. Yes sir. I got it. I will take care of that. He told me to be careful and well prepared all the time. But no matter how well I did, he never gave me any compliments. On top of that I can't eat any of my food. Please don't blame me for taking your life. Blame my greedy master. He's rich but very stingy. It's been a while since the last time I cooked chicken. I hope that the guest today will be an easy going one and leave some leftovers. Finally, it's all done. Wow, look at that scrumptious piece of chicken. The skin is crispy and golden and the meat inside smells absolutely mouthwatering. Amazing. Only if I could try a little bit. I wish I could eat this drumstick. I haven't had so much as a bite of chicken since I started working here, let alone a drumstick. Only if... He knows I will lose my job and will be scolded again. Get yourself together, Gretel. When they finish eating, if there's any leftover, I'll enjoy it later. But why is this guest taking so long? The party table is ready, especially this chicken dish. If I left it on the fire any longer it would dry out and lose its delicious taste. I have to ask the master. I have to take the chicken out of the stove. It's a pity not to eat it now. The chicken is well cooked but it will taste best if we eat it right away. Okay, just leave it on the stove. I'll go to ask the guest to come. Everything's done but master and the guest still haven't come back yet. Having stood near the stove for a while makes me so thirsty. Just a little bit. Only a little bit. Master won't know. This bottle is still full. I will just try a little bit. I haven't drank any wine in my life. I wonder what it tasted like. I didn't know that wine is this tasty and sweet. Just one sip and the incredible smell already makes me feel like cloud nine. No wonder my stingy master brought it out to invite the guest. Should I have another sip? One last sip. The chicken smells so delicious. Mmm. The taste of this chicken is exquisite. But the master surely won't let me have even a single piece. What a pity. It was me who took care of it. Now, or should I eat a small piece in secret? Just a small piece. The wing was burnt. They probably don't like burnt chicken wings, right? Gosh, how could it be so delicious? It's just a burnt piece but it's already this tasty? The rest must taste even better. But if it only has one wing, will the master scold me? Let's take the other wing as well so master won't find anything missing. That's tasty. Hey, Cruddle. When you start to eat a chicken, drink more and finish it. Why would you waste this precious dish? Gosh, wine and roasted chicken are such a wonderful combination. Even in a dream I never thought there would be a day that I could eat a whole chicken and enjoy deluxe wine like this. Master gets to eat such delicious dishes every day. The wealthy truly live in bliss. If he hadn't been greedy, I'd be a little happier. Huh? It's been a while but the master hasn't come back. Maybe the two of them have eaten out and won't come back. It would be a waste not finishing it. The chicken would lose its delicious taste if I let it cool off. Ah, so good. It's been a long time since I've had a full and delicious meal like this. Oh no! The master came back. What should I do? Didn't he eat out with the guest? Why did he come back this time? What should I do? What should I do? If the master found out, I'd be done for. Why did I lose control like that? I'm so stupid. I've lost my sanity because of the wine. A single piece of shredded meat and he already scolded me harshly. If he found out I ate the whole table like this, I'd be beaten to death. Hurry up, Cruddle. The guest is coming now. Bring the food out. Remember to bring out my precious bottle of wine that I told you to take out from the basement. Yes, sir. Let me heat up the chicken again. It's nearly done. What should I do? Should I tell him the truth? If I wait until the guest comes and then tell him, he will be more angry. But I'm scared. Gosh, Cruddle, you are so stupid. That greedy mouth is about to get you kicked out of the house. This knife is too dull. How can I eat chicken with this? I have to go and sharpen it myself. Only a sharp knife can cut meat accurately. I've got to be quick before he arrives. Ah, I've got an idea. Hello, I came to meet... Shh, be quiet, be quiet. You'd better run away. Why? What happened? I was invited to come here to have dinner. Where is your master? Go and bring him here for me, please. Ah, I knew that, so I came here to warn you. If my master sees you, it will be a big problem. He slipped his word that he would take revenge on you because you stole his customers. Try to remember. Is it true that you did that to my master? I have to sneak out here to let you know. Is that so? But it was a very long time ago. You don't know? My master can very much hold a grudge. You may see him as he looks, but in his mind, he planned to harm you. Can you hear the sharpening knife in the kitchen? Oh my, is that true? But today I came with a great contract. He should have forgiven me. Yes, of course it is true. Later, when you come in, you would easily lose your life. I rushed here because I cared about you. If you don't believe me, I couldn't do anything else. But if you get harmed, don't blame me for not telling you. I can't save you then. What? No, I have to go home. It's been a long time. I didn't expect him to be so hostile. Thank you for informing me. Please help me stop him if he chases after me. Please. Master, your guest has just left. He was rude and weird. Please come out and see. Huh? What did you say, Gretel? He stole the chicken I put on the plate and ran away, sir. What? Stole my chicken? Yes. I put a lot of effort into that chicken. It tastes really good. But he just came in, stole it, and ran away. Huh. Damn. What a greedy bastard. At least he could have left a piece for me. That chicken is mine. I have to go get it back. I can't let him eat all of my delicious chicken like that. Hey, stop running. Let me take a piece. Just one piece. How dare you do that to me? Come back here. I just want a piece. Oh, God. He's even chasing me with a knife. Want to take a piece of me? Oh, God. Hey, just one piece. I just want one piece. That's lucky. I was this close from getting caught. From now on, I will never eat in secret like that again. As a chef, eating in secret is a bad habit. But he deserves running out of breath, that greedy master.