The case of the dangerous bowl of soup

If fish is considered brain food -- because it contains Omega 3, which is believed to improve brain function -- then, Wilbur got smart too late.

Diving head-first into the initial course of an authentic New England fish dinner -- a steaming hot bowl of Clam Chowder -- Wilber threw caution to the wind.

Actually, he should have thrown away the bowl, because lurking menacingly in the depth of the bowl was a sharp fish bone that got caught in Wilbur's throat, causing him to let out a painful scream that possibly could be heard as far south as sun-drenched Miami Beach, Fla.

Wilbur sued the owner of the clam chowder restaurant for his injuries and pain and suffering.

"When a person sits down to dinner in a restaurant," Wilbur complain to the judge, "he shouldn't have to worry that it might be his Last Supper."

"Wilbur has no right to slander my clam chowder," responded the restaurant owner. "Fish bones in fish soup is perfectly normal. If Wilbur wanted to play it safe, he should have ordered our chicken noodle soup."

IF YOU WERE THE JUDGE ...

Would you hold the restauranteur liable for Wilbur's having been served a dangerous bowl of soup?

THIS IS HOW THE JUDGE RULED ...

NO!

The judge ruled that diners should be prepared to cope with the hazards of fish bones in fish chowder and in the light of the hallowed tradition, their presence does not impair the products fitness or merchantability.

Based on a 1964 Maine Supreme Judicial decision