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The Best Meal | and the Worst |
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The ruler of the world Obatala, deciding to test the wisdom of his advisor Arula, asked him to prepare the best meal in the world. And so Arula prepared ox tongue. "How is it" asked Obatala, "that tongue can be the best?" |
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| "What could be better than the tongue?" asked Arula " For with the tongue one can sing joyful songs, describe the beauty of the day, and praise those who are deserving. There is no doubt that tongue is the best!" | ||
| Satisfied with this answer, Obatala now asked his advisor to prepare the worst meal in the world. And Arula prepared....ox tongue."What is this?" asked Obatala. " You told me that tongue is best. How can it also be the worst? | ||
| " I have told you why tongue is the best," answered Arula, but it can also be the worst. With the tongue one can gossip and slander, destroy reputations, why even ruin whole nations. There is nothing worse than the tongue." | ||
| Obatala was greatly impressed with the wisdom of Arula and knew he would consult him again. | ||
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a tale from Cuba - from Ruth Stotter's Storytellers Calendar illustration - MC Escher - "E45" |
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