Part II — Stories recounted over the years

My tea-prophecy¹

My Muslim professor-friend, Abul, once said to me in an Indian restaurant, “I highly appreciate your pen, but I truly admire your abstinence. You do not drink tea at all, whereas I take tea, the slow poison, eight times a day.”

I told him not to worry. I said to him, “True, tea is slow poison, but its antidote — quick aspiration — you have in abundant measure. It will save you.”

My lofty prophecy has come true. My professor-friend and tea are no longer friends.