Legend has it that bread was found accidentally, after an Egyptian baker left some dough open and was surprised to see it all soft and fluffy.
Who ever could believe that the humble bread that we have taken for granted has a lot of associations with the loved forces?
There is a very racist joke that goes about the idea of bread. Dr. Radhakrishnan was supposed to have been at a meeting. The Americans, the Africans and some Indians were present there. Now, an American began making comments at how shining and pleasant their skin colour looked, all white and pure. The Africans followed with a sadder version of it and declared how lowly and brown the Indians looked.
Now, Dr. Radhakrishnan is supposed to have said, "when God was making bread for the first time, he was afraid he would burn them, so he took them out early-these were Americans-uncooked and bland. Then God put in another batch and burnt the dough, thus came the Africans-dark and hard. And then, God, now having an estimate of timing and the experience of two bakes, baked out the perfect colour of bread-brown Indians.
I remember when my parents left me home alone with Amul butter for company. I shamelessly admit that I can't cook, though I can make idlis and perfectly round dosas, only if the batter is ready. That left only two options, a ready to eat noodle or bread. The point is, bread is a lifeline for people away from home, students in hostels, and a weekend relief for housewives who otherwise have to dole out chapattis at the speed of light.
A German proverb says, "Schwarzbrot macht Wangen rot, Weissbrot macht Leute tot," which means, dark bread makes cheeks red, white bread makes people dead. The Irish also make a statement and say, "Half a loaf is better than no bread." - Hari Chakyar
