Note 44 — HISTORY OF NASSAR, THE SON OF KHOJA HUMAYUN, THE MERCHANT OF BAGHDAD. (continued 2)
Edward Rehatsek translation
In primitive times even kings were proud of their skill in the art of cookery. Thus in the charming story of Nala and Damayanti (an episode of the great Hindú epic, the Mahábhárata) the good Rájá is recognised by his devoted wife, who had been long separated from him, by some meat of his dressing. And in the other grand Indian epic, the Rámáyana, the demi-god Rámá is represented as killing and cooking the dinner of his spouse Sitá and himself:
Their thirst allayed, the princes ply the chase, And a fat stag soon falls beneath their arrows. A fire they kindle next, and dress their prize; Then, offering to the gods and manes made, With Sitá they the social banquet share.
And readers of the Arabian Nights will remember how young Bedr ed-Dín Hasan was discovered by the delicious tarts for the making of which he had been always famed.