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Simply Wonderfuls

Bill was regularly helping Upendra in the kitchen and would delight in hearing him speak of the early days of Krsna consciousness in America. As Upendra busied himself stirring pots of vegetables and preparing a variety of savoury items, Bill would roll "Simply Wonderfuls" -- confections made from sugar, butter and powdered milk -- for the Sunday feast. Bill liked this association with Upendra, and especially loved prasadam. By now he had added 10kg to his once lanky frame, and Upendra called him a "prasadam addict". Unfortunately, however, while he basked in Upendra's warm association, Bill found Bali-mardana too intense. Bali-mardana would constantly attack Bill's well-grounded impersonal philosophical misunderstandings. Bill found him abrasive and wondered how much longer he could take it.

As his second week in the temple drew to a close, Bill decided to move on. He drew up a sign that read "QUEENSLAND", which he planned to flash at passing cars announcing his hitch-hiking intentions to Australia's tropical north. He quietly packed his bags.

But on the Sunday morning, Upendra asked Bill if he would cook the sweet rice for the Sunday feast. Bill, feeling obligated, dutifully stirred the large pot of milk until it condensed, thickened and reached the desired creamy consistency -- a three-hour feat.

"Wow -- it's getting late," thought Bill as he put down the spoon. "It's .. it's almost time for the Sunday feast." Bill decided to head for sunny Queensland after the feast. But by the time he had filled up with all his favourites -- "Simply Wonderfuls", halava and sweet rice, and come back for seconds, he was completely satisfied. The thought of moving on no longer appealed to him. He unpacked his bags, and, rededicated, hid a plate of "Simply Wonderfuls" in his locker for the forthcoming week.

- From "The Great Transcendental Adventure" by HG Kurma Prabhu

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