Ryers Readers - The Big Cheese

Episode Date: December 29, 2023

The Big Cheese wins. And wins. And wins again. The Big Cheese always wins! But, what happens when the Big Cheese….loses?

Let's do this! Thank you so much for tuning into today's story. Don't forget to rate and follow so you never miss out on all the ryer's readers fun. Before we get into the story, do you want to know a fun fact? Did you know that peal cheese is the most expensive cheese in the world? Pule cheese is made from donkey milk. Because donkeys don't produce that much milk, it is much milk. It is much. very rare and kind of hard to make. Can you believe that Pule Cheese can cost several hundred to over a thousand dollars per pound? Pretty crazy, right? Okay, story time. Today we are going to read The Big Cheese by Jory John. They call me cheese, the big cheese. The Big Cheese. The Big Cheese Oh, say it with me, please.

The big cheese. Tadda, you better believe it. That's right, folks. I'm the biggest, cheesiest piece of cheddar around. I'm really something to behold. Take a good look at me. Are you seeing what I'm seeing? Hmm?

Have you ever observed a more impressive cheese in your life? It's not just my stature either. It's my presence, my vibe. The energy I emanate, the excitement I exude. It's the way I fill a room, or a theater, or a stadium. Wherever I go, I cause a fuss. Head's turn, jaws drop, gasps are audible. That's why they call me cheese.

Oh, say it with me, please. The big cheese. T'da! You'd better believe it. How did I get such a good, or should I say, Gouda, reputation? Well, I wasn't always a big shot. I grew up on a crowded platter in a tiny kitchen. I was an unremarkable curd.

We lived quiet lives of pasteurization. But I wasn't happy with the status quo. Oh no. I wanted to make a big old name for myself, so I resolved to become a big cheese. I wanted the praise, the cheers, the spotlight, the attention, the ovations, the celebrations. I set to work, and before long, I was on the fast track to success. I dressed to impress. I shredded the competition. I stole every show. And then I'd brag nonstop to anybody who'd listen.

Hey, did you see me score that goal while I was literally yawning? What was the secret to my success? Well, I stuck to the things I was good at. That way, I couldn't possibly fail. Did it get a little boring, never trying anything new? I suppose. But it didn't matter as long as everyone agreed that I was. Oh, say it with me, please.

The big cheese. But then, one fateful day, I met Wedge. He was the new in town, and he seemed to be my exact opposite in every way. He was quiet. I was loud. He was shy, I was bold. While I dominated conversations, he kept to himself. I didn't pay him much attention at first, because why would I?

I was too preoccupied being the center of my universe, but then, without warning, everything changed. Here's what happened. Every summer, our tiny village staged an, all-day cheese catholon. Guess who had first-place trophies from the last six years? Hmm? Oh, say it with me, please. The Big Cheese. Tadda! You'd better believe it. This year's opening ceremony started at 5 a.m. sharp. I was fully primed and prepared to prevail. First up was a foot race, and I zipped into the lead.

Within seconds, though, there was someone on my heels. I could hear his breath, the pitter-patter of his agile feet. It was wedge. I could not believe it. Oh, he was fast. Not just fast, but skilled. Disciplined, he paced himself. We were neck and neck for most of the race, but when I slipped on a rogue pebble, wedge swerved, sped up, and beat me by a nose.

A cheese nose. For the first time, I'd come in second place. Oh, the indignity! But there was no time to sulk because the next leg of the competition had already started. It was a game of chess. Before I could blink or think, Wedge had taken my king in four moves, and while I was busy protesting to the judges, he'd already moved on. The following events were a blur of loss, after loss, after humiliating loss, hat-making, sheep-herting, bread-buttering. It turned out that Wedge was quietly excellent at everything.

Even when he won, though he didn't gloat. He was so humble. It was odd. It was disconcerting. It was absolutely baffling. Finally, I watched in dismay as Wedge. trounced me one last time and the day came to a bitter end well bitter for me at least I went through every possible emotion until I'd finally exhausted myself and as I lay in the

muck I heard a thunderous voice making the dreaded announcement first place goes to newcomer Wedge Wedgman. The crowd roared in its approval. What had just happened? It was honestly hard to fathom. I closed my eyes. Suddenly, inexplicably, I felt a sense of calm come over me.

I listened to my breathing, to the steady beating of my heart. Yes, I... I had lost again and again and again, but after all that, I actually felt okay. I suddenly knew that my world wasn't going to crumble. I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and I headed home. Before too long, I spotted Wedge. He wasn't busy celebrating or bragging.

He was just watching. the stream go by. He looked content. We chatted for a bit. It turned out that witch had a fascinating life story. I found myself getting caught up in a great conversation. A conversation that wasn't all about me. That day I realized something. Maybe it didn't matter if I wasn't the best at everything. In fact, perhaps it was healthy for me to lose for once. And sure, my ego was bruised in the short term, but over time, I gained some perspective on what's really important. Losing taught me about empathy and humility. It showed me that I'd become so focused on winning that I was missing out on the joy of participating.

And it helped me see that I can live with defeat, even if I get a bit angry or frustrated at first. These days, I'm trying not to worry about whether I win or lose. I don't have to impress everyone all the time. I let others have the spotlight. And I've taken up some new hobbies, just for me. Yes, I'm just for me. trying to be a better wheel of cheddar. So now, when I brag about something, well, I mostly brag about my friends.

Because it turns out that anyone, from a crumb of gorgonzola to a fleck of fetta, to an unassuming wedge of brie, can be, oh, say it with me, please, the big cheese. Oh, you better believe it. The end. Don't forget to stick around to see if you can answer today's paying attention question. Before you go, do you think you can answer today's paying attention question? Who won the Cheese Cathalon competition? If your answer was Wedge, you did it!

great job! You sure were paying attention. I hope you enjoyed that story. I wonder what we're going to read next.