AN OVERHEATED CHICKPEA

© ruhr-uni-bochum.de

“A chickpea in a pot leaps from the flame,
out from the boiling water,
Crying, "Why do you set fire to me?
You chose me, bought me, brought me home for this?"
The cook hits it with her spoon into the pot.
"No! Boil nicely, don't jump away from the one who makes the fire.
I don't boil you out of hatred.
Through boiling you may grow flavourful, nourishing,
and united with vital human spirit.
I don't inflict this suffering out of spite.”