The greatness of idlis

During the pre-Independence days, an Iyer and a Britisher were travelling by the Howrah Mail from Madras to Calcutta. The train left Madras Central at 8 pm sharp and next morning at 7 am it was at Vijayawada.

The Britisher had a sumptuous Spencer's breakfast served by a butler in livery , but the Iyer opened the top box of his 4-compartment steel tiffin carrier and ate two idlis.

Lunch at Waltair station (asVisakhapatnam was then called), was a heavy meal served to the Britisher by the Railway Refreshment stall. But the Iyer only opened the secondbox of his tiffin carrier, pulled out 4 idlis and ate them with relish. The Britisher was curious as to what was happening, but being a Britisher, kept his stiff-upper-lip posture.

But when the scene repeated during dinner at Berhampur, he could no longer contain himself, and enquired,
" Sir, what are those white things you have been eating all along? "

The Iyer said, " Sir, these are called intelligence tablets. We South Indians can live on them on for days together. "

Britisher: " But how do you make them ? "

The Iyer went into an elaborate description of the raw materials, and processes.
Britisher : " Can you please give me a couple of them? 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 breakfast. But since I am going to my relative's place, I can spare them for you. But they will cost you 20 rupees each ".

The Britisher paid up immediately, happy that he was so lucky. Next morning at Howrah station as they were about to part ways, he 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 the details".

Britisher, " Then why are those damn intelligence tablets so costly?"

The Iyer said," See, you took 3 of them last night and already they have
started working ! "