Shantammal: One day, when I was still new in the kitchen,

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Shantammal:One day, when I was still new in the kitchen,I served Bhagavan with a few more pieces of potatothan the rest. Bhagavan noticed it and got very angrywith me. He turned his face away and would not look atthose who were serving food. I could not make out thecause of his anger and wondered who it was who hadoffended him. The women who worked in the kitchenwould collect around him to take leave of him in theevening after the work was over. Usually he wouldexchange a few words with us, enquire who wasaccompanying us, whether we had a lantern, and so on.That evening he gave me a sign to come near."What did you do tonight?""I don't know, Swami, have I done something wrong?"You served me more curry than others.""What does it matter? I did it with love anddevotion.""I felt ashamed to eat more than others. Have you comeall this way to stuff me with food? You should alwaysserve me less than others.""But, Bhagavan, how can I treat you worse thanothers?""Is this the way to please me? Do you hope to earngrace through a potato curry?""Out of my love for you I committed a blunder. Forgiveme, Bhagavan, I shall respect your wishes.""The more you love my people, the more you love me,"said Bhagavan, and the matter was closed. A goodlesson was learned and never forgotten.