Backward Chaining (1979)

©1979, 2013 by Dallas Denny

Source: Denny, Dallas. (1979). Backward chaining. Unpublished poem.

 

 

 

 

 

Backward Chaining

By Dallas Denny

 

He did not know how to cook pancakes and sausage.

He stood around while I cooked them.

He was eager to help, but didn’t know how.

I taught him how to set the table.

I taught him how to slide the pancakes and sausages onto the plates.

I taught him how to flip the pancakes and sausages on the griddle.

I showed him how to pat out sausage patties and put them on the griddle.

I showed him how to spoon the pancake batter onto the griddle.

I taught him how to measure and mix the pancake batter.

Each day I did less and less and he did more and more.

And then one morning, he wakened me.

“Breakfast is ready,” he said, smiling.