Unpalatable

I recall a short story was read in English class about a boy who was involved in a dangerous event, possibly involving some wild animal like a bear or wolf or something. Whatever it was tested his bravery and resolve to overcome his fear and deal with the situation. So, after the harrowing incident, his mother gave him some heated milk in a mug with a dollop of butter added, which (in the story) he very much enjoyed.

I remember thinking “that sounds delicious” and when I got home, I promptly heated some milk, poured it into a mug, and added the magic ingredient. It tasted gross. I dumped it out and never attempted that again.

In retrospect I should have known it would be unpalatable because we didn’t have butter in our house – we used margarine, which doesn’t mix well or taste any good with milk.