The Discovery of Salt ONCE, A POOR FARMER called Sosopon was working in the fields, and saw a phoenix perched on a heap of earth by the sea- shore. Seconds later it vanished, but the poor farmer recalled that a phoenix rested only on the site buried treasure.     In a great state of excitement he began to dig up the earth. After digging for a while, he thought no more of other treasures but rushed home with a piece of earth as quikly as he could, hoping at last to have made his forture. Then he remembered that people who did not declare treasures to the Sultan were punished with death; if anyone heard about his discovery and reported it, his life would be in grave danger.     Next morning, therefore, he to the Sultan and said, "Your Highness, yesterday while at work in the field I saw a hoenix seated on a mound by the sea. I dug something up, and now I present it to Your Highness." The Sultan looked and looked, but he could see nothing unusual about it, and besides, it had a horrible acrid smell. he became angry, and said, "You dog, you wanted to play a dirty joke on me. You will be beheaded!" Without delay the most unfortunate farmer was executed.     This happenend during the wet monsoon season, when the rain poured down form heaven, and naturally the piece of earth became damp. The moisture ran off it, drop by drop, and one day, as the Sultan's cook was passing by with the Sultan's dinner, a few drops fell into the food. The cook knew he would get into serious trouble if the Sultan discovered it, but there was no time to cook anything else.     At the first bite the Sultan realised that the taste was comparatively stronger and better than that of his ordinary fare. "What did you put in the food to make it tase so good?" he asked the cook. "Your servant would not dare to put anything into your food," answered the cook, trembling in all his limbs. "But a few drops fell into it from the piece of earth the farmer brought you some time ago."     The Sultan now began to wonder whether the piece of earth was really a kind of treasure after all. He sent for a cup of the liquid and poured it over his food, which was then much tastier than ever before.     Later, may pieces were dug out of the mound. When the moisture from them was dried in the sun, it became white crystals of salt.     The Sultan honoured the poor farmer who had brought him the earth by appointing his son to become a high-ranking official, and giving him great riches.   [Back] [Index] [Next]