UNAPPOINTED AUTHORITY OF THE HOME KITCHEN

Soup Supervisor

A green frog seated upright, gripping a wooden spoon like a pointer

He inspects every broth, rejects every noodle, and counts the flies twice.

Before Lunch

He arrived before lunch, selected the warmest counter tile, and appointed himself supervisor. The wooden spoon became both pointer and final authority. Each bowl now waits for a steam check, a depth check, and a proper fly count. Noodles are returned without discussion. Broth may proceed only when its surface is calm. Nobody remembers hiring him, but nobody has found a polite way to take back the spoon.

The Soup Supervisor holding his wooden spoon

Kitchen Rules

Bowl Inspection Steam clears completely before the spoon enters the broth. · Noodle Rejection Long strands are removed on firm procedural grounds. · Fly Minimum Fewer than three flies closes the kitchen before lunch.

Stand back. The broth remains under formal review.