Just A Fable Story
The “give up eating for fear of choking” means that to give up doing something necessary or important just because we are afraid that we might fail. It teaches us that almost everything that is important and we took it for granted, though it’s just a simple ones, does not mean that it is not risky. In this fable, eating is one of the most important thing that must we do to keep alive and healthy, but that does not mean choking will not happen during eating. Also, “table manner” is one of the simplest thing in order to prevent from choking, that we might tend to forget sometimes. 
Story Begins…
Once, a little town had a mayor called Lord Mayor. He wanted to give a huge feats to celebrate his birthday. “Guards!” Lord Mayor ordered. “Go into the city and find the best foods for my birthday. After you have found them, bring them to my chef. I want him to prepare a grand feast for tonight!”
“Yes, my lord!” the guards left the city immediately. In the city market, they found lots of delicious food. The guards quickly bought the food and delivered them to the chef. After inspecting the food, the proceeded to cook a sumptuous dinner.
That night, many guest arrived at Lord Mayor’s house. He received many gifts for his birthday. “Happy Birthday to our Lord Mayor!” the people cheered in unison just as the meal was being served.
“Thank you!” Lord Mayor was pleased with the many gifts the guest had brought. “Please help yourselves to the food!” Lord Mayor said as he eyed the different dishes that were being served. He helped himself to the delicious food. Being greedy, he ate as much as he could. Before, he swallow the first spoon, he popped another to his mouth.
Suddenly, his guard Sir Edmund, noticed Lord Mayor’s face turning red with pain. “What’s the matter, lord?” Is there anything wrong?” Sir Edmund asked with concern.
Lord Mayor pointed his throat and started coughing. Sir Edmund understood what he meant. Lord Mayor was choking on his food. He quickly helped to turn Lord Mayor upside-down and hit him on the back. However, the food was still stuck in his throat. Mr. Cadman , who was also among the guests, took a saw and suggested that they saw Lord Mayor’s throat and take the food out.
The suggestion scared Lord Mayor so much, that he stood up and ran around in panic. As he was running, he tripped on the carpet, fell and out popped the food. Greatly relieved, he ordered his man together as he panted for breath. “Go into the town and order the people to gather at the town hall. I have a message for them!” Lord Mayor commanded.
The guards dis as they were told and gathered everyone at the town hall. Everyone was curious as to what was going on. Finally, the Lord Mayor arrived. He cleared his throat and announced, “My good people, choking on the food is very dangerous. You can be killed by it. If I hadn’t been eating I would not have choked.” He carried on to say, “People, you too, eat at your own risk. Take my advice and stop eating from now on.”
Some people were convinced. However, when Lord Mayor oredered all the food to be gathered and set on fire, everyone felt it was a shame to waste so much food.
A few days later, the people in the town were fainting on hunger. They had not eaten at all in the last three days. Lord Mayor too, admitted that even he could not put up with the hunger. He called for the chef and said, “Since we cannot overcome the hunger, we have to take the risk of eating. As mayor of the town, I shall take the risk and be your guinea pig. Go prepare dinner for me now!”
When the news spread that the Lord Mayor was about to take the risk of eating for the people, they cheered for him. “Great is our mayor!” everyone chanted as gathered to watch him eat.
Cautiously, Lord Mayor ate mouthful by mouthful. He swallowed the food and nothing happened. “Good,” he said, “now everyone can start eating again!”
“Yeah, long love our Lord Mayor!” the people cheered and went home to cook their dinner.
(the story is picked from Bookworm Fables, published by Bookworm Consultants Pte Ltd, 1990)
