Life of The Promised Messiah (as) — Page 50
50 the evening of 25 May 1908, was with boiled rice. Whenever there was writing to be done, he would especially ask for firni [rice pud- ding] or jaggery rice to be cooked for him. He would drink milk reg- ularly to maintain his energy, and would drink it in three or four small portions. Among fruits, he liked grapes, bananas from Bombay, oranges from Nagpur, apples, melons, Saroli mangoes, and sugar cane. However, he ate whatever fruit was brought to him. During the mulberry season, he would often eat those brought from his personal orchard and share them with his Companions during the evening walk. He never ate alone. If he was at home, he would eat with his fam- ily. When among his Companions, there would be twenty to twen- ty-five people eating with him. If anyone from among those who ate regularly with him was absent, he would set aside their share of food. He would always wash his hands before and after eating. During the winter, he would use warm water for washing his hands and dry them using a cloth or towel. 46