Early this month, Ann gave me a box and
a sheet of printed paper, saying, “This is for you because you are my friend.”
Ours is a new friendship. Ann is from Belgium and speaks several languages but the best language she speaks is the language of humour. She always has wonderful, and often funny, stories to tell about
her camping trips in the interiors of Oman or about her snorkelling adventures.
Inside the box was a gooey bubbling mixture. It was a sourdough
cake batter that I had to tend for ten days. On the printed sheet were
instructions for each day.
Ann said, “This cake’s name is Herman and he is from Germany.
On the ninth day, you may share a part of your batter with your friends as I
have done with you. This will keep our chain of friendship in continuous
circulation.”
...
So Herman, the German, sat on our kitchen counter for ten
days. Our little daughter was excited about this project and tended to him
carefully every day. Sometimes we even talked to Herman. The constant bubbling
of the batter told us that Herman was alive. We fed him milk, flour and sugar
one day and he bubbled robustly to show his gratitude.
On the ninth day, we shared our friendship cake batter with
some friends. They, too, seemed fascinated by idea of having Herman sit in their
kitchens for ten days.
On the tenth day, we baked our Herman - the German Friendship
Cake. The recipe called for plain flour, raisins and vanilla. We tweaked it a bit and used chappati atta, dried apricots, and cinnamon powder instead of three ingredients listed above. The cake turned out to be a big hit with our family. It was more delicious when we shared it with our friends – especially Ann.
We hope this friendship chain continues to go in circles all
over the world to bring different kinds of people together.
We have played our part in it and had a richly-rewarded satisfaction.
...
For more information on Herman, the German friendship cake,
recipe ideas, starter instructions, and baking tips, please go to www.hermanthegermanfriendshipcake.com
Who knows, you may even start your own friendship chain one
day!
Do share it with us if possible because we would love to have
Herman with us again.
