Once upon a time, the Lepic family was enjoying a quiet afternoon after lunch.

I think I forgot to lock the door to the chicken coop. Who will be good and lock it for me?

Don’t look at me!

You know I am scared of the chickens!

Well, then our Carrot Head will be good at lock the coop.

It is easy to guess that the youngest Lepic was called Carrot Head because of his red hair.

Mom, I am afraid of the dark

You are a big boy and I know that you can do it. Go and lock the coop immediately.

There is no melon left for you. I am sorry, but you do not like it anyway.

His mother always insisted she knew what Carrot Head liked and disliked.

He did not have to be asked.

Give the rest of the melon to the rabbit.

May I share it with the rabbit? It’s delicious!

Why should the rabbit have it all?

The next day, Carrot Head’s father Mr. Lepic had some time to play with the children.

Hurray! Weee!

Once Mr. Lepic presented his two sons with a hunting gun.

You can hunt together and share the gun.

No problem, Father.

Carrot Head kept quiet because he never knew what to expect from Felix.

Who will be the first to try it in action? The eldest should set an example.

I am ready to leave this honor to Carrot Head. You try it first.

Felix I am so proud of you.

Have it for as long as you want.

Why are you so good to me?

The young hunters quietly came within range of a flock of unsuspecting birds.

Give me the gun. I know I will get them. Let it go, I said.

Bingo! I got one! Ha ha ha

It should’ve been me!

Do not get upset. Today is my lucky day. I had a feeling that you would miss anyway.

I did not even have a chance.

Who cares! You’ll have you sparrow tomorrow.

You really promise? / Sure I do.

With you I always get my sparrows tomorrow!

One day, Mr. Lepic returned from a business trip to Paris, and presented his children with a lot of gifts.

Thank you, Father!

Now it’s your turn and your choice. What do you want more a trumpet or a gun?

Carrot Head wanted a trumpet but wanted to appear manly and daring to his father,

so he had to choose the gun.

Sure I want a gun!

Really? What about your love for music?

I just said it to impress you. Of course I want a trumpet to accompany my clarinet. I love music!

What did you say? You cannot impress me by lying!

I know you well enough to see when you are not honest with me.

Did you really think that I would not be able to see right through you!?

The truth is I want to become a musician.

What? Why?

New Year’s Day in the Lepic family.

Happy New Year to everyone!

In this card I wrote what I usually cannot say. I want Mother to read it first.

I always suspected that you love your mother more than me!

Wait! Read it first!

It does not matter what it says when the handwriting is so hideous.

It is probably unpleasant…

Mr. Lepic tried to read the card himself.

Ha ha ha, we cannot believe that you are giving us dolls!

Carrot Head, I have a present for you too.

I hoped you did.

You hoped? You saw it in my room! I am not giving it to you then.

No, please, I want my doll!

What makes you think it’s a doll? Here… / Thank you.

It's very good.

Mr. Lepic sent Felix and Carrot Head to a boarding school.

Here they are, coming out of the school building with the rest of the students.

Father! / Father! What are you doing here?

Carrot Head was trying to say something more affectionate,

but he was too happy to see his father to think of something and instead jumped on him with a big hug.

To his dismay Mr. Lepic made a step back to avoid his expression of affection.

Now Carrot Head did not have any doubts that his father hated him as much as everybody else.

Could you remove the pen stuck behind your ear before hugging me?

Sorry! I forgot about the pen. I was so happy to see you!

You did not want to hug me because of the pen! Not because you don't like me! Ha ha ha

It is not funny. You almost poked my eye out. That’s what you wanted?

No. I want you to keep both of your eyes! I just had a silly thought! Ha ha ha

Plus to all his other relatives Carrot Head had a grumpy uncle

who actually loved him and always enjoyed their time together.

I am glad you like my cooking but it looks like your mother does not feed you at all.

She does. But she is always on a diet and thinks that too much food is not good for us.

I could never understand you mother.

Once when at home on vacation Carrot Head ran into his old friend Remy.

Do you want to go fishing with me and my father? It will be so much fun, come on!

If I ask my mother she will say no. Can you try and ask her for me? You may have better luck.

Mrs. Lepic, Will you please let Carrot Head go fishing with me and my father?

Remy, please stay with me. We can play at home.

My mother may change her mind later. She always says no first.

I can stay for about a quarter of an hour.

Remy,! What are you still doing here?

I thought you were going fishing with your father.

I should tell him that you are wasting your time here with my worthless son.

Carrot Head asked me to wait for him hoping that you might change your mind.

What? Carrot Head, why would you think that I would change my mind? I never change my mind!

In fact Mrs. Lepic changed her mind very often.

She was going to let Carrot Head join his friends on the river and even brought his fishing basket.

Her surprise was ruined and she could not let him go now. Poor Carrot Head lost his chance of escape.

Carrot Head, go and bring me a pound of butter.

I won’t.

What was that? Did you just say no to me? This isn’t a joke, and I’m not asking you for a favor!

No. I will not bring you the butter.

Carrot Head, bring me that butter at once! Do you hear me!?

Yes, I hear you very well. You needn’t shout. I’m just not going.

Carrot Head had never defied his mother like this before, and she was stunned by his behavior.

Carrot Head has just flatly refused to run a simple errand for me!

I asked him very nicely, and do you know what he said? Ask him!

What’s gotten into you? Stop acting childish and apologize immediately.

I will do anything you ask me Father, but I will never listen to Mother again.

Carrot Head had decided he wouldn’t take his Mother’s derision anymore and resolved to disobey her.

After dinner, Carrot Head’s Father called him over and asked him to accompany him on a walk.

Tell me, what made you disobey your Mother?

I am sorry Father, I couldn’t help it. I can’t stand the way she humiliates me, and I can’t bring myself to forgive her.

You must respect your Mother.

No! She punishes me all the time and says cruel things to me.

She only wants what’s best for you, she is trying to teach you.

Well she doesn’t teach my brother and sister so much. She doesn’t love me.

You do not understand her, Carrot Head.

Just because someone looks happy and content does not mean they don’t have doubts and worries.

Your Mother is the same.

Did you know she was bringing you your fishing basket so you could go fishing with your friend?

I didn’t know…

You may think she is cold and indifferent, but she really doese love you.

I am sorry Father, you are right.

Come over here… / Father!

Carrot Head felt much better after his conversation with his father.

He decided to behave himself and prove to his Mother that he loved her too.

He hoped that someday, they would finally understand each other.