A king had three
daughters. He wanted to test their love for him. He called them and asked them,
"Tell me how much do you love me."
The
eldest daughter said, "Father, I love you like jewellery." The king was very pleased with her as he was very
fond of gold and jewels and had a large collection of exquisite jewellery in
his palace. The second daughter said, "Father, I love you like the best wine!" The king was happy to hear
this as he was addicted to wines and other alcoholic drinks.
Then
the youngest daughter replied, "Dear Father, I love you like salt." The king became furious on
hearing this reply. Angrily, he shouted, "What do you mean, you mean
creature? Salt is a useless, cheap and ordinary object which you can find even
in the poor slums of my kingdom. I know you don't love me. I don't want to see
you again. Go away."
But the youngest daughter met the palace chef
and requested him to avoid salt in all the dishes to be served during the royal
feast on the next day. The old chef had a special affection to the youngest
princess as she was simple, humble and innocent. He agreed to do as she wished.
During the feast, the king tasted his
favourite dishes and cried aloud, "What is this? It has no taste at
all!" He summoned the chef and questioned him. The wise chef answered,
"Oh, Sir, I was afraid to include salt in the royal dishes because
yesterday you declared in the court that salt was a useless and ordinary
article. I avoided it ."
The king learned a lesson. He realized the
importance of salt and asked the youngest daughter to forgive him for his harsh
remarks and rash behaviour. He understood the extent of her love towards him and embraced her.
Salt is important and indispensable for
mankind in many different ways:
1. Salt enhances the taste and flavour of food and
makes it pleasant and palatable. Without salt, many foods become insipid. Its
deficiency in food is felt easily.
2.Salt preserves food and prevents putrefaction.
3.Salt dissolves in water and mixes fully with food.
It apparently disappears by dissolution or disintegration. Lumps of salt in
food may cause objectionable taste.
4. It remains as an invisible presence in the
dishes. Other spices like chilly and turmeric give conspicuous colour which
makes their presence visible.
Jesus Christ advised his followers to be
the 'salt of the earth'. By this he wished that they should mingle freely with others and
add flavour to the life of every one to promote peace, fellowship, joy and
harmony in society by their silent and sincere service. By their humble and
unpretentious actions they have a major role in preserving the integrity,
values and moral principles of society. They should be deeply concerned with
the well-being of all and serve as the 'salt of society'.
..........................................................................................................
© By Prof. Dr.
Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine
Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former
Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally, Leo. S. John, St. Antony's Public School, Anakkal, Kanjirappally
and Neil John, Maniparambil,
Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.
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