story continues....... carpenter who was busy smoothing a rectangular block of wood. Wood shavings littered the floor around him. "Are you fasting, babaji?" He asked respectfully. The old man looked up and wiped the perspiration from his brow. "Aye, son. Work is no excuse for not fasting," he replied. Asad could not imagine fasting and then working in the relentless summer afternoon heat. He looked around at the laborers, mason, and brick layers working in a rhythmic method. "What do you eat for iftaar?" he asked out of curiosity, referring to the evening meal. He imagined the lavish food that got prepared in their kitchen everyday. It took their chef at least two hours to put together an afternoon tea. The old man smiled," Whatever Allah provides for us, son. He is Merciful and Most Gracious." "Does Mr. Haroon provide you with meals?" Asad persisted. He knew Bilal's father was rather tight fisted. He would have insisted that the men put in whole shifts instead of cutting down their working hours in deference to Ramadan. "What do rich men know about empty stomachs, my son," the old carpenter replied, moving his plane over the wood in a smooth, fluid motion. With bile rising in his throat, Asad turned back towards his house. His mind was in turmoil and his heart ached. In the living room he paced restlessly and then saw some CDs that his grandfather was fond of listening. He put on one in the magnificent stereo system that his father had recently purchased. It was recitation of the Holy Quran. As the soul stirring voice of Qari Saad Al Ghamdi reciting Surah al Baqarah filled the room, Asad felt waves of serenity hitting him. He felt engulfed in peace and tears shimmered in his eyes. "Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah and do not follow up their spending by stressing their benevolence and causing hurt, will find their reward secure with their Lord. They have no cause for fear and grief. " Asad spent some time listening and absorbing the message from Allah. Then he took a bath and said his prayers. His parents came home and the smell of iftaar being prepared filled the house. As the entire family gathered for breaking the fast, Asad looked at the dining table laden with a variety of food ___ sandwiches, cake, fruit cocktail, tempura, triangular samosay, fried chicken pieces, dates and a variety of other dishes. "Mom, do we need to cook so much food for one meal that no one can possibly finish?" "What's on your mind, son?" his father asked, surprised by his