78. A Drop in the Ocean

Thakur Sahab was known in the neighborhood as a man of grand tastes. Whenever he hosted a feast, he would proudly say, “Guests should be welcomed in a way they never forget.” But this time, what happened made people whisper that the feast was nothing more than a drop in the ocean.

To celebrate a friend’s happiness, Thakur Sahab arranged a small gathering in his courtyard. Two tables were set up, and food was prepared with much announcement. Guests slowly began to arrive, expecting a lavish spread.

First, puris and vegetables were served. Looking at his plate, one guest remarked, “The puris are delicious, but the quantity seems a bit small.”

Thakur Sahab smiled confidently and said, “Please focus on quality, not quantity.”
Next came the lentils. The bowl was so tiny that the children giggled and said, “This looks like a toy bowl!”

When dessert was served, the situation became even more amusing. Each guest received only a tiny piece of sweet.
An elderly man joked, “Thakur Sahab, is this a feast or just a sample tasting?”
Thakur Sahab quickly replied, “Health is important these days. Eating less keeps the doctors happy.”

Some guests began whispering among themselves that the conversation was more filling than the food.
The children eagerly asked, “Uncle, where’s the ice cream?”
The cook answered mysteriously, “Ice cream later—if any is left.”
By the end of the feast, the guests felt as though they were leaving with a lesson about hunger rather than full stomachs.

One friend laughed and said to Thakur Sahab, “My friend, this feast was truly a drop in the ocean.”
Thakur Sahab chuckled and replied, “Even a drop matters. After all, flavor often comes from the smallest ingredient.”

The neighbors say that day there was less food but plenty of discussion.

And Thakur Sahab still insists, “A feast doesn’t have to be big. Even a small meal served with love is remembered.”