The Souper Machine

Story by Derek Vook

| SHORT WRITING CONTEST

It was a dull, rainy Saturday morning as I sat on my living room couch, wondering what to do. The previous night, my parents, my brother Frank, and I watched Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. The DVD case was still on the table, and when I saw it, I remembered the machine the boy built which made any type of food he wanted. The wheels in my head started to turn as I thought, “Maybe I could build something like that!”

That week, I quickly finished my schoolwork because I was eager to start my creative project. When the weekend came, I suggested my idea to my parents and sought their permission. With a gleam in their eyes, they replied, “This is a big project, but we believe you can do it. Before you start building, make a good project plan with drawings and a list of the materials you need. We are supportive of this interesting invention!”

With gratitude, I said, “Thanks Mom and Dad, I will complete those steps.” I researched machinery and took copious notes. Then, I thought about details, such as what type of food the mechanism would make, who would use it, the size and shape of it, and its name. Because my favorite meals Mom made were chicken soup and tomato soup, I decided it would make soup and my favorite side dish, bread. This wonderful contraption would be called The Souper Machine. It would be mostly used by my family, but I’d be happy to let others borrow it. I began designing the dimensions of the machine and what the components would be. Considering all of the components necessary for this machine, I realized it would be as big as a small garbage can. I showed my drawings and the project plan to my parents, and they approved them. After they bought the materials, I set to work!

First, I built the ingredient mixer and the input hole where I would put the raw materials. Then, I made a conveyor belt that would carry the glass mixing bowl through a small microwave, where the soup would be heated. Last, the soup would be poured through a nozzle into a bowl which would be transported on another belt to the output hole where spices would be added. 

For the bread, dough would be poured into a pan and carried into an extremely hot oven where it would bake quickly. The bread would be dumped through a hole onto a plate and exit the machine through the output hole. 

After making the machine and painting its name in red letters on the side, I tested it. It operated very well! Our family used my device regularly and really enjoyed the tasty output.  Except for some spills and crashes, the machine was a big success!

I was proud of my Souper invention, and hoped one day I could sell it to others so they could experience the delicious food too!