The Mice of Bistrot des Sept Frères by Marie LeTourneau Page A

I decide whose soup is the best of the best, I must know. What do you put in your soup?”
    Chef Marcel looks at his sons. His sons look back at him. Petite Michelle says nothing. Judge Le Whisk pats his mouth with his napkin.
    â€œEr . . .” says Chef Marcel. “Why don’t we tell the judge what we put in our wonderful cheese soup?”
    The Jeans begin to recite the ingredients.
    â€œButter, cheese, stock, cream, onion, pepper, thyme, and . . .”
    â€œAnd?” questioned the judge.
There was nothing but silence.

    Suddenly a soft voice spoke out.
    Â Â Â Â Â Â Â â€œA dash of salt . . .
    Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â a bit of rosemary . . .
    Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â and six drops of hot pepper sauce!”

    Judge Le Whisk frowns. He wipes his mouth with his napkin. Every beady little eye in the room is on him—and he knows it.
    â€œChef Marcel, your soup was good before, but . . .”
    â€œBut what?” asks Chef Marcel.

    â€œBut this time, your new cheese soup is not only the best in France, but the best in all the world! Félicitations !”
    Chef Marcel jumps for joy.
    Then he bows.
    â€œ Merci Judge Le Whisk!”

    His sons dance around the bistro.
“Three cheers for Petite Michelle! Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!” Petite Michelle saves the day . . . and the soup!

    As for Judge Le Whisk . . .

    he asks for a second helping!
    â€œ Merci !” he says. “ La soupe est excellente! ”

    (The Bistro of the Seven
Brothers and One Sister)