Happiness is a three-letter word

Cross posted at Israelity.

The kismet of an American childhood is the Happy Meal. The meal includes the requisite hamburger, 15 french-fries, Hamburgler shortbread cookie, and a toy. This toy, whether it be a mini Beanie Baby or diecast General Lee, is like nirvana. For years my father refused to let me get rid of any of the toys. "They will pay your way through graduate school someday!" he would say as I moved them aside to make room for a new 'N Sync CD. After the toys have been opened and played with, I would doubt that they would even be able to pay for a semester at the local community college.

Every once in awhile, I will purchase an Israeli Happy Meal just for the toy. Unlike the boring chatchkes (or knick-knacks) you will get in an American Happy Meal. these are TOYS. For example, last week's toy was a mini e-Dog. The palm size dog lights up in for colors and plays a hip-hop tune from behind its ears. The Israeli Happy Meal also comes with apple-goo. I call it "goo" because it's like apple juice but it has a gelatinous, "Plan-9" look to it. I'm not sure if the United States McDonald's has chosen a different "Happy Meal Toy Provider" but they sure could take a clue from the Israeli Happy Meal. Now all Israel needs to do is replace that apple-goo with something else...an iPhone, perhaps.