Tale of the Clam Chowder

One day...long, long ago...in a land that was warm and filled with palm trees (Florida) there lived a funny, sweet, charming woman and her husband who adored consuming New England-style clam chowder with their grown children, especially their oldest son who was especially fond of the delight. The had some of the world's best clam chowder, in the North and the South, in restaurants and at home. In a constant quest for the perfect clam chowder, they discovered a new brand that promised to be quite scrumptious. They purchased two cans in hopes of filling their bellies with clam chowder yumminess.

On one special evening, the prepared the first can with eager anticipation. When the family assembled to taste the new chowder, they were sorely disappointed at it's utter ickiness. Not only did it not meet the high standards of clam chowder yumminess that hey had previously experienced, it was downright spit-worthy. While the remaining soup could be discarded, a problem remained - the single can of clam chowder that had not been prepared. Remember, they had purchased two in hopes that it would be a delight. What to do now with this unwanted can of clam chowder??

A solution to this dilemma required much thought and planning. The funny, sweet, charming woman and her husband (who also had a streak of funny and sweet) did not want to keep the despicable clam chowder and knew that their eldest son would snicker at the sight of the can so...with much furtiveness they awaited his departure after a visit and snuck it into his luggage. The discovery by this son following his visit to his parents was both a shock a source for some good laughter while remembering the clam chowder consumption experience. Needless to say, he did not want to consume this can of chowder and chose to return it to his parents on his next visit. So began the exchange of the clam chowder can...


Twenty years or so later, the funny, sweet, charming woman and her husband have left the legacy of the clam chowder with their eldest son who has continued the swap of this same can of clam chowder with his eldest daughter who is familiar with the story and shares in the glee of this legacy. The can is now worn and has been safeguarded with some foil and several notes left in sneakiness but it remains a source of laughter for the next generation of the clam chowder family.
Countless sneaky exchanges have occurred and I am now in possession of the can once again. No need to worry though, I will make sure it it not in my hands for very long...

UPDATE: Dad has clarified the Tale of the Clam Chowder in the comments - make sure you look to get the story straight. Thanks Dad!