When I grow up...takoyaki!


8th May 2007


It's funny.

When I was living in the dormitory and without a TV, I missed it more than any number of living relatives.

But when I moved into my new home, which came with a set, after an ecstatic reunion, I settled into a daily rhythm which managed fine without television.

Still, I did catch the news the other day while having dinner at the noodle shop across the road (they sell something called Chinese soba. What the...?).

The broadcast ended with an item about an event organised to give kids a taste of working life.

The camera panned over a field of children trying out jobs. Then it was time for interviews.

"So," said the reporter, "What did you do?"

"Sell ramen," said the boy in front of the mike.

"How did it feel to earn money?"

"Good!"

"And what will you buy with the money?"

He looked blank for a minute.

"Flowers maybe. Or takoyaki."

Cut to another kid.

"What was your job?"

"Policeman," said the bespectacled boy.

"Was it hard?"

"Yes."

"And what does a policeman do?"

"Dunno."

Give that boy a takoyaki.