 | In our small New Jersey bungalow Srila Prabhupada would eat his meals while on the sofa in the living room in front of a small coffee table. Beside him to the right was his tape player, and in front was the long coffee table where we placed his plate. We devotees sat on the floor in front of him. Generally, there was only Gaurasundara and myself and Kirtanananda but occasionally other devotees would visit from New York. Kirtanananda made delicious noon meals of dhal, rice, chapatis, and often made raisin chutney as well. The raisin chutney was his specialty. Srila Prabhupada would eat prasadam and watch us also eating and seemed to delight in watching us take prasadam. Sometimes there was dinner table talk, and on one occasion we were discussing the rice. Kirtanananda was always taunting me and so he was saying: "White rice is best and brown rice is for the animals". I looked at the mushy white rice on my plate. Basmati had not yet been introduced, so I looked down at the mushy white rice on my plate and said to him: "I must be an animal because I like brown rice better". Srila Prabhupada begin to laugh and laugh and laugh. He enjoyed the joke and found my honesty refreshingly funny. He slapped his knee and laughed whole-heartedly. His light-heartedness was very inspiring. He found ways to encourage us in all circumstance. Thank you, Srila Prabhupada for allowing me to serve you even if it was by offering you some silly things to laugh about. Whatever service you give me is a cherished prize and I am eternally grateful.
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