Image via WikipediaDuring the pre-Independence days an Iyer and a British were travelling by the Howrah Mail ftom Madras to Calcutta. The train left Central at 8 pm sharp and next morning at 7 am it was at Vijayawada.The British had a sumptuous Spencer breakfast served by a butler in livery, but the Iyer opened the top box of his 4-compartment steel carriage and ate two idlis.
Lunch at Waltair station (as Visakhapatnam was then called), was a heavy meal served to the British by the Railway Refreshment stall, but the Iyer only opened the second box of his tiffin carriage, pulled out 4 idlis and ate them with relish.
The British was curious as to what was happening, but being a Britisher, kept his stiff-upper- lip posture.
When the scene repeated during dinner at Berhampur, the Brit could no longer contain himself, and enquired, " Sir, what are those white things you have been eating all along? "
Iyer said, " Sir, these are called IQ tablets. We South Indians can live on them for days together. "
British: " But how do you make them ? ".
The Iyer went into an elaborate description of the raw materials, and processes.
British : " Can you please give me a couple?-- you need not give them free. I'll be happy to pay whatever price you quote. "
The Iyer thought for a while and said," Actually I have only three more of them left for tomorrow morning's breakfast but since I am going to my relative's place, I can spare them. But they will cost you 20 rupees each ". (twenty rupees was a real princely sum those days. Probably the lunch that the British had on train would have cost him less than a rupee)
The British paid up immediately, happy that he was so lucky and ate those three idlis.
Next morning at Howrah station as they were about to part ways, the Brit asked, " But tell me sir, are you sure you have told me the entire process without leaving out any details? ".
Iyer said " Yes, I told you all details".
British, " Then why are those damn tablets so costly?"
The Iyer said," Remember, I told you those are IQ tablets.You took just 3 last night and already they have started working !" . . . . . . . . . . .and walked off the exit!
