Afandism

A Ruling on the Aroma

Panel 1: a ragged beggar holds a dry crust in the steam rising from a cookshop cauldron while the cook watches with folded arms. Panel 2: the cook drags the beggar by the collar before Afandi, who sits cross-legged on a carpet under an arch, and thrusts out an open palm. Panel 3: Afandi holds a closed purse up against the cook's ear and shakes it, the cook cupping that ear and beaming, while the beggar eats his crust behind them.

Swipe to see all three panels.

  1. Cook: You have stood in my steam all morning, old man.

    Beggar: The smell makes my dry bread a dinner.

  2. Cook: He has eaten the aroma of my broth. Make him pay.

    Afandi: What does the aroma cost?

  3. Cook: Five copper coins.

    Afandi: Then listen closely. The sound of coins pays for the smell of soup.

The bench found for the cook entirely, and he left the court no richer for it.

· Wesselski (1911) Vol. 1 No. 67