"This is all we have, sorry," said a chieftain in a native village uphill in Perak. Shyly he pushed to us boiled tapioca, fried tengas fish and 'standard' hot tea without milk.
We smiled. At that point that was the best food. We were tired and hungry. More than that, he should have not troubled himself into preparing the food for us. We can completely understand because we had self-invited ourselves there to visit them and propagate Islam. Insya Allah. Yet he treated us with such generosity and warmth that we felt welcome and in the bottom of our heart... grateful to Allah. Alhamdulillah.
That was told by my best friend.
I had had many personal experiences in meeting such people. They did not bother about what they are serving so much but they surely had given you the best that they had in store. It might be plain white rice and salted fish but that were the best. Sometimes it was just a cup of water and if they have extra, a cracker.
It really was about giving; giving what was needed at the right time. Giving water to the thirsty, giving food to the hungry and giving a place to lie down to the tired. Quality and quantity were out of question from the receiving end, not the giving end though. The gestures, sincerity and generosity were those that counted.
Though visitors did not expect to be treated but as a host, these people like the chieftain, really understand and practice te concept of 'honouring a guest': to give the best that you have and to treat them well.
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