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108
JAIN RAMAYAN
"Dear sir, we have cooked some roots and tubers available here."
"What did you say? Is the food cooked with roots and tubers? Then .... in that case I cannot eat this food. I will never eat prohibited food.” Sodas pushed aside the plate that had been placed before him. The peasant was silent. He had prepared the food only according to the instructions given by Anand.
"Dear friend! You eat this food today. What else can we get in a wild forest except roots and tubers ? To-morrow, you need not eat this food”.
"But how can I eat roots ? Instead of eating this kind of food, it is better to die of hunger".
"Do not be obstinate dear friend! Please eat this food. If you do not eat the food, I too will not eat it. It does not matter if I too will have to die of hunger". Anand said, expressing his displeasure.
"Dear Anand! Why do you compel me to eat roots and tubers ? Is your insistence proper ?”
"I am insisting that you should eat this food because you do not at any time, eat nourishing food even absent-mindedly. Whenever some nourishing food is offered to you, you refuse to eat it saying that it is prohibited food. In consequence, your body instead of being robust and healthy looks weak and emaciated”.
"Dear friend! You know very well that my mother does not approve of my eating such food."
"How will your mother come to know of this ? And of course I will not insist upon your eating roots in the palace”. Seeing Anand in a mood of sadness, Sodas fell into deep thought. They were close friends. He did not like to see his friend in sorrow.
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