My special dessert
The banquet was served, but there was very little available for a vegetarian. I was eating next to nothing. Then the funniest thing happened. The waiter who was serving gave a kind of cake to everybody. When he passed by my chair, he said, “I am bringing a very special dessert for you.”I said to myself, “Let us see what it is.”
I thought that perhaps there was alcohol inside the cake. Otherwise he would have brought some for me. He knew that I did not drink alcohol or eat meat and fish. He was a very kind young man. A few moments later, he reappeared with a plate for me. He said, “Here is rice and dal.” It was real Indian food! I was so happy, and he was very happy that I enjoyed it. It was the very last thing that was served. Alas, he did not know that it was the main course of an Indian meal and not dessert!
Sri Chinmoy, Sri Chinmoy in Russia, Agni Press, 2001