GIVE us a laugh, you said (LET, May 14).

Then, let me tell you about my five-year-old niece, Alicia, who is a very finicky eater.

After expressing her disgust to him for a meal she did not care for, her dutiful Dad explained what a lucky little girl she was to receive such lovely food - whereas some boys and girls in poorer countries would be more than appreciative of such love.

The conversation lasted a good five minutes. My wide-eyed 'concerned' niece listened intensely.

What was her rely? "Dad I don't need food for sympathy - I need it for energy."

What a gem, isn't she?

J KNIGHT, Holden Fold, Darwen.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.