Tea with Saddam
By Bill, posted on 04/23/2005
One of the most rewarding aspects of our farm is the people we meet and speak to. One man, a few months ago, sent us an email telling how he saw our sign and the chickens pecking in the pasture and thought to himself, "Could it be? Could I get eggs like I had at my uncle's farm as a child?". He drove a mile before turning back. He said our eggs helped him recapture fond memories of his uncle and his farm, not to mention great tasting eggs.
This morning someone was trying to open my back door. I opened the door to a gentleman of Indian (Asian) descent who wanted to buy eggs. I directed him to front porch and he explained he had been there but, only visiting this country, wasn't sure of the proper custom.
As I went through the house to meet him on the porch, I noticed no car. We live in a rural area so I was a bit confused.
I met him on the front porch and we began talking. He was somewhat elderly and had a very gentle personality. He explained that he was from Dehli and visiting his son who lived up the street and he was out for his morning walk.
He was surprised I left the cashbox sitting out in the open. "In my country, they would steal this" he remarked.
"The box has been stolen three times," I informed him, "But I would rather trust my neighbors and occasionally loose a little money than to distrust everybody."
He smiled and said "In my country they would steal because they were poor. They would steal the eggs because they were hungry"
I told him "If anyone came to my door hungry they would be welcome to the eggs."
He replied "Those that take your money, God will take from them 100 times more."
He told me that before he retired he had worked in Iraq for a time. He met and had tea with Saddam Hussein.
"What did you think of him," I couldn't help but ask.
Without hesitation he replied "He is a dictator. He has killed many people."
Of the war he said it was good to remove the dictator but that too many have been lost. To paraphrase a long conversation: "Christ, Allah, Shiva, any God; They do not hate. They do not kill people. People do that."
We talked for some time. We talked of his country and mine, of war and religion, and of the nature of God. My son came out. He held and examined his hand and placed his other hand on his forehead. "He is very intelligent", he said, "You may have more sons but never a daughter."
I told him I didn't intend to have more children. He laughed and said "That is up to God."
I have found that the experiences that life and perhaps providence provides have been more valuable than all the wealth I can imagine (which is fortunate since I have never possessed wealth!). Today was one such example.
He said he would stop back in two days. I look forward to another visit.
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