Ordering Secret Of The Universe

"It was Ramadan. I did what the town was doing. I fasted from sunup until sundown. At about eight in the evening I’d step into a restaurant and sit with everyone waiting for the call from the minaret, when each person dips a spoon into the lentil soup.

Each night I ordered bottled water with my meal, but my Tennessee Turkish seemed to draw a crowd. People came out from the kitchen and solemnly listened to me order. It was not until I got home that I found out that what I’d been ordering with every meal was the 'secret of the universe'. Sir instead of su."

~ Coleman Barks