During class today there was mention of bats in the novel we are reading. The following conversation ensued.
Swiss classmate*: I’ve eaten bat before.
(all of us, including the teacher, have shocked looks on our faces)
Little Brother: Where did you eat bat?
Swiss classmate: In Madagascar. The one I had was small, but they have bats this big there. (holds hands out indicating 2-3 feet)
Kristie: (I at first thought we were talking about dragonflies–I’m not very good with insect names–it took me awhile to catch on.) There aren’t bats (meaning dragonflies) that big!
Swiss classmate: Yes, there are!
Big Brother: Really?! They can get that big?
Teacher: I think maybe that is including wing span.
Little Brother: So what does bat meat taste like.
Swiss classmate: Well….(trying to think of a good comparison)…kind of like horse meat.
(our eyes all widen again)
Little Brother: Oh…uh..and what does horse meat taste like?
Swiss classmate: What do you mean? Like horse meat.
Kristie: I don’t think any of us have eaten horse meat before.
Swiss classmate: (has a look on his face like, “How can you have never eaten horse meat?”) Maybe like deer? (but doesn’t seem convinced this is a good comparison)
Little Brother: So do Swiss people eat pretty much anything?
Swiss classmate: (breezily) No.
Kristie: (thinking two things, “Sounds like they do.” and “All those rumors about French people eating horse are TRUE!”)
After this the conversation spiraled in another direction.
*Note: My Swiss classmate is French Swiss. Funnily, his Chinese has a recognizable French accent.
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