The Soup Of The Soup Of The Duck

"A relative came to visit Nasruddin bringing a duck as a gift. So the bird was cooked and eaten. 

Soon a stream of guests began to call, each claiming to be a friend of the friend of the ‘man who brought you the duck.’ Each one, of course, expected to be fed and housed on the strength of that hapless bird. 

The Mulla bore it manfully till the day a stranger arrived and said: “I am a friend of the friend of the kinsman who brought you the duck.” And, like the others, he sat down, expecting to be fed. 

Nasruddin placed a bowl of steaming water under his nose. “What’s this?” asked the stranger.

“This,” said the Mulla “is the soup of the soup of the duck that was brought to me by your friend.” 

One hears of people who became the disciples of the disciples of someone who experienced the Divine. How can you transmit a kiss through a messenger?"

from the book "Song Of The Bird" by Anthony de Mello

...in truth, OdiliaCarmen