"I Ate Too Much" by Jack Prelutsky

When I was in first grade, my teacher Miss Meservy had us memorize a poem for Thanksgiving. We even recited it as a class over the P.A. System for the entire school, which was a really thrilling event in my 6 year old world.

When I got home, I was excited to tell my family all about it. I proudly proclaimed the title, "I Ate Too Much by Jack Prelutsky." Then I stopped. I couldn't remember anything else. Nothing. It haunted me for many years. I always expected it to somehow come back to me. I mean, I had crowded in the principal's office around a microphone with 25 other kids reciting it for the whole school. But no. Nothing.

It kind of became a family joke. Any time after a delicious meal when someone would say "I ate too much." The rest of the family would chime in, "By Jack Prelutsky."

Well, this year I decided to do something that I'm surprised I never thought of doing before: actually memorizing and reciting that poem for the family at Thanksgiving dinner.

I've been practicing for weeks (just to make sure the performance is perfect). This is going to be the best Thanksgiving ever.