Theos-Talk Archives (October 1998 Message tl00062)

Oct 6th 1998

Dallas OFFERS

	Subject THE TASTE OF AVOCADOS

If I were again in India and confronted with explaining the taste
of an avocado to a North Indian friend, I would send to Bangalore
for the avocados they have grown there for the past 60 years and
given a real experience.

Also 60 years ago there were comparatively few Americans who had
ever tasted mangos.  And while these are now commonly sold in
supermarkets all over the US, the refined taste of the Hafus
mangos from Ratnagiri on the Malabar coast  (or the Safedas of
North India) are something that cannot be described to those who
are only able to get the common jungli mangos with their many
earthy tastes that are now grown in Mexico and points South, and
shipped up North.

	Subject		GIFTS - RECEIVED OR REJECTED

An old story concerning Hillel the predecessor to Jesus goes:

A man who held a grudge against Hillel approached him one day and
offered him a well wrapped, but unexpected package.

Hillel sensing that this contained something that was defiling
and knowing the man's disposition towards him, asked this donor
questions:

"Friend, if a person brings a gift and it is accepted, to whom
does it belong ?

"To the recipient," said the man.

"Friend, if the person to whom a gift is offered refuses it, then
to whom does the gift belong ?

"To the donor," replied  the man.

"Friend," said Hillel, "I do not accept thy gift."

===============================================