In a cozy little house in a small village, Eloy always eagerly awaited the arrival of his grandchildren. Every night, around a crackling fireplace and with a mischievous smile, he would begin his tales by saying:
“Did you know that when I was young, I traveled to ancient Greece and became the best discus thrower in all of Athens? Yes, and there I faced a cyclops in a discus throwing contest! But that’s not the story I want to tell you today.”
Eloy adjusted his wide-brimmed hat, making sure the bright, exotic feather was in place, and leaned forward with a twinkle of mischief in his deep brown eyes.
“Today I’m going to tell you about the day I became the personal chef of Pharaoh Ramses II in ancient Egypt. Yes, kids, I was the most famous chef along the Nile! But, as always, there was a catch…”
Eloy’s grandchildren settled in, their eyes wide and smiles expectant. Grandpa Eloy was known for his extravagant tales, and even though the stories were often a little hard to believe, everyone enjoyed them immensely.
“It was a sunny morning in Thebes,” Eloy began, “and I was walking through the market looking for the best spices for my next great creation. Back then, the markets of Thebes were a sight to behold: merchants from all over Egypt sold their wares, from gleaming jewels to exotic fruits, and the aroma of spices wafted through the air, intoxicating and tempting.
As I searched for a good spot to buy cilantro, I heard a commotion near the palace. It turned out that the Pharaoh's cook had suddenly decided to quit, claiming that the ingredients in the royal kitchen were insufficient for his culinary art. What an exaggeration, if you ask me! Pharaoh Ramses II was desperate to find a replacement, and there I was, a humble yet bold cook in the right place at the right time.
I decided to seize the opportunity. With my most confident voice, I approached the palace guards and declared, ‘I am Eloy, the best cook in all of Egypt. Let me show you my skills, and I assure you that Pharaoh Ramses II will be impressed.’
The guards, surprised by my audacity, decided to take me before the Pharaoh. Ramses II, a towering man with a gaze that could pierce the hardest granite, looked me up and down and said, ‘Very well, Eloy. If you can prepare a feast that surprises me, you will be my new personal chef. But if you fail… well, let’s just say you better not fail.’
I accepted the challenge with a bow and headed to the palace kitchen. There, I found a pantry filled with exquisite ingredients: dates, honey, lamb, spices from all over the known world. My mind buzzed with ideas, and I got to work.
I decided to prepare a feast with dishes that no one in Egypt had ever tasted before. The first dish was an exotic fruit salad with a touch of honey and nuts, followed by roasted lamb with a spice mix so secret that I couldn’t even remember it afterward. But the star dish was a dessert I called ‘The Delight of the Nile,’ a combination of dates, almonds, and camel milk, all drizzled with honey sauce.
When I presented the feast to the Pharaoh, his stern expression softened, and his eyes sparkled with anticipation. He took a bite of the salad, then the lamb, and finally the dessert. To my relief, a smile spread across his face, and he said, ‘Eloy, I have never tasted anything so delicious. You are my new personal chef.’
Eloy’s grandchildren laughed and clapped. Grandpa paused to sip some tea before continuing.
“But here comes the tricky part,” said Eloy. “As the Pharaoh's cook, I not only had to prepare incredible feasts but also solve the strangest culinary problems. One day, the Pharaoh asked me to prepare a dish that would make the whole court laugh. A dish that makes people laugh? How was I supposed to do that?
After much thought, I decided to create a dish that was not only delicious but also had a hidden trick. I made some pastries that looked ordinary, but when you bit into them, they released a little puff of spice smoke that made everyone sneeze. The court erupted in laughter, and the Pharaoh was so delighted that he awarded me a special medal for my culinary ingenuity.
Years went by, and I prepared many feasts for Ramses II. Each time, I tried to outdo myself, always seeking new flavors and presentations that would leave the Pharaoh and his court speechless. I even taught some apprentices, who then took my recipes to other parts of Egypt and beyond.
And so, dear grandchildren, that is the story of how I became the personal chef of Pharaoh Ramses II. Now, off to bed! Tomorrow I’ll tell you about the time I helped build the Great Wall of China with nothing but a wooden spoon. Good night and sweet dreams.”
With a smile and a wink, Eloy stood up and turned off the lights, letting his grandchildren dream of their adventurous grandpa's incredible tales.