I was inspired to re-read Babette’s Feast after the last post. I found an rather intriguing quote from the story while I was spell-checking names. And, after all, it had been almost twenty years since I last read it. Oh my! Is it ever good to re-read stories that you loved! It is remarkable what you forget and it even more remarkable for how differently the story touches you. Does that make sense?

Tragic Babette — former head chef of a famous Parisian restaurant finds herself as cook to two elderly Norwegian sisters who prefer split cod and ale and bread soup. After winning 10,000 francs in the lottery, Babette cooks a feast for the sisters’ celebration of what would have been their father’s 100th birthday. The sisters believe that she has sacrificed all her winnings for their sake.

“For your sake?” she replied. “No. For my own.
I am a great artist!” she said. “…A great artist, Mesdames, is never poor. We have something, Mesdames, of which other people know nothing.”

and then finally

Through all the world there goes one long cry from the heart of the artist: Give me leave to do my utmost!

Whether the audience appreciates or understands, always pour your best effort into your work.