From Silly Wheat to Smart Chalah

By Jonathan Zev

November 2001

“Move! Give us room! Let us practice braiding!” shouted 3 wheat stalks. An old, wise Chalah heard them. “That’s not how Chalah is made,” he said. “Yeah Right! Then how is it made?” shouted the wheat stalks. “First, with loving care, the farmer plants or sows, waters, and grows you, like you all know,” said the Chalah. “Then, in the fall, the farmer harvests or cuts you. Next, you are taken to the windmill where you’re ground into flour.” “Ow! That must really hurt!” said the wheat stalks. “It didn’t really hurt much,” said the Chalah. “Plus, I knew I was being made into chalah so it was worth it,” said the Chalah. “Next you’re taken to the bakery where you meet some new foods like sugar, butter and eggs. With the new foods you are kneeded into dough. Next with 2 more pieces of dough, you’re braided together. Then you may rest as you are baked in an oven for 30 min. at 150°.” “Ouch! That sounds too hot for me,” said a wheat stalk. “It’s a little warm at first,” said the chalah, “but you get use to it. When you come out, Voila! You’re chalah,” said the chalah. “O.K. Everyone, we are fullgrown, someone get the farmer we want to be cut!” shouted the 3 wheat stalks. The old chalah smiled, “They still have a lot to learn,” he thought.


This story was selected as the Regional Winner in the 2001-2002 California Foundation For Agricultural In The Classroom Imagine this... Story Writing Contest.