The Real Feast

When Saadi, the famous Persian author, visited India, he was the chief guest at several lavish feasts.

After every feast, Saadi thanked his host for the evening, by saying, “That was an excellent meal, but for a real feast, you must come to my home town Shiraz.”

A few months later, one of his Indian hosts visited Shiraz. Saadi welcomed him warmly, made him comfortable and then they both had a tasty, but simple meal/

Saadi invited many Persian writers to meet his Indian guests. On every occasion, a well cooked but simple meal was served. There were no signs of the “real feast” that Saadi had spoken of in India.

After several days, when the Indian was leaving, he could not restrain his curiosity. “I am most grateful for your kind hospitality, “he said to Saadi, “but you had earlier mentioned a real feast…”

“You have been tasting it at every meal, “Saadi said gently. “The great feasts I was invited to in India were just for one evening. Here in Shiraz, you are welcome to share our simple food s long as you like. That is why we call it the real feast!”