The hungry man walked down the familiar street, as he did every day. Yet today, something was different. New and wonderful aromas assailed his senses and he was moved to seek out their source. From the far side of the street, he saw a massive building, its huge doors open wide. He saw how the people passed by without stopping or even noticing, yet he was sure that it was the place he sought.
He crossed the street and walked toward the building unable to resist the temptation of a closer look. When he reached the door, he stopped, stunned by what he saw. Within the vast, brightly lit hall, a banquet was prepared as if for a royal celebration. He marveled at the sight.
In wild disarray, the delicacies filled table upon table. The host had spared nothing in the planning, since one should not presume the tastes of one's guests. All was in rediness, though the guests had not arrived. The finest foods lay next to the common ones, the decorative next to the plain.
Suddenly, the host appeared, placing the final dish. Upon seeing the man, the host smiled and said, "Welcome, guest. Come; ease your hunger at my table." With that, he pulled before the man, the only chair present.
"Surely, you cannot mean me, sir?" The man asked as he slowly crossed the threshold.
"Surely, I can,” answered the host, “Might I recommend one or two things?" The guest reviewed the heavily laden tables and said slowly, "Forgive me, I do not want to seem ungracious, but surely I know my tastes best."
The host nodded his acquiescence and watched the guest lustily consume his favorites. After eating all he could, the guest thanked his host and went his way.
The next day the guest reappeared, as if my chance, to pass the banquet hall, and the host beseeched him to enter once more. As the guest viewed the riotous display within, his appetite rose and he eagerly accepted the invitation. All things were as before with the exception that a few delicacies were raised on plates of shining silver and gold.
"Might I recommend one or two things?" asked the host. But the guest declined again and chose the same morsels he savored the day before. After having his fill, the guest left the hall with warm thoughts of returning the next day.
As the days went by the guest became accustomed to dining at the banquet hall; and each time he chose the same satisfying fare. He did not notice that one by one the dishes that he passed over were withdrawn from the tables. The first to be removed were those set high on the precious plates. And soon, the others followed until nothing remained by that which pleased the guest.
Day after day, the he returned to the hall, his favorite meal, and the most pleasant moments of his day. One evening, he remarked to his host, “You set the perfect table. Nowhere can I find everything so much to my liking! Your art is the perfect mate for my palate. It seems we are fated."
The days went by unchanged and the guest became quite comfortable at the hall. One day, as he strolled toward the banquet hall, he sensed something was wrong. None of his favorite aromas greeted him at the door. The vast hall was dark and empty. The tables were covered with dust except for that small space he occupied each day. He heard a distant sound at the back of the hall and he shouted, “Is there someone there? Answer me. Where's my host?"
And from the shadows the host came forward to meet the guest.
"So it's you! Where's my meal?" He demanded.
"What meal is that?" The host asked softly.
"Why, the one I've dined on these many days! The one you prepared so perfectly just for me."
"It's gone,” said the host.
"Gone? How can that be?" He asked.
"Quite simply," said the host, "There is no more."
"There must be more!" The guest cried, "I've grown used to dining here.” If not my favorites, then something else, perhaps, something you suggest! You are so perfect a host that I am sure, it, will please me."
"That I cannot do," answered the host, "for there is no more."
"Of course there's more! I've seen it. The tables were once filled to capacity! There was so much, I could have had my fill for a lifetime!"
"Ah, yes," the host replied, "but you did not choose for a lifetime. You chose what pleased you at first sight and so I withdrew what seemed to offend you and placed it in another hall. And that which you prized most, has been used to its end."
"Then might I request that we go to the other hall? The guest asked hopefully.
"Forgive me," said the host, "I do not wish to seem ungracious, but in the other hall, I entertain another guest."
The host glided back into the shadows, leaving the guest in the dark...
End