A Real Conversation

 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.