The Tale of The Salty Coffee...

     I first encountered this story a while ago via email and have often remembered it with great fondness. I have taken the liberty to correct the grammar since the ones I've seen thereafter have been rather erroneous grammatically.  Enjoy..

The Salty Coffee

     He met her at a party.  She was so outstanding, many guys were after her; while he was so normal that no one paid attention to him.  At the end of the party, he invited her to have coffee with him.  She was surprised but out of politeness, she agreed.

     They sat in a nice coffee shop. He was too nervous to say anything that she felt uncomfortable. She thought to herself, "Please, let me go home."

     Suddenly he asked the waiter, "Would you please give me some salt?"  They stared at him for the strange request! His face turned red but he still added the salt in his coffee and drank it.  She asked him curiously, "Why do you have this preference?"

     He replied, "When I was a little boy, I was living near the sea.  I liked playing in the sea. I could feel the taste of the sea, just like the taste of the salty coffee.  Now every time I have salty coffee, I always remember my childhood and think of my hometown. I miss my hometown so much. I miss my parents who still live there."

    While saying these, tears filled his eyes.  She was deeply touched, since he seemed to be conveying his true feelings, from the bottom of his heart.  A man who spoke of his homesickness must be a man who loved and cared about the home and had a responsibility for it.

     Then she also started to speak. She spoke about her far-away hometown, her childhood and her family. They had a nice conversation, which was also a beautiful beginning to their story.

     They continued to date and she realised he was a man who met all her requirements; he had tolerance, was kindhearted, warm, careful. He was such a good person.

     Thanks to his salty coffee, the story was just like every beautiful love story.  The princess married the prince and they lived a happy life.  And every time she made him coffee, she would add some salt, as she knew that was how he liked it.

     After 40 years, he passed away and left her a letter:

     "My dearest, please forgive me, forgive my life-long lie. This was the only lie I ever told you - the salty coffee.  Remember the first time we met? I was so nervous at the time, I wanted some sugar but asked for salt instead.  I was too embarrassed to change my request, so I just went ahead with it.  I never thought that could be the start of our relationship! 

     I tried to tell you the truth many times while we were together but I was too afraid  since I had promised not to lie to you about anything.  Now that I am dying, I do not fear much so I'm telling you the truth. 

     I don't like the salty coffee, what a strange bad taste!  But I have had the salty coffee since knowing you. I never felt sorry for what I did.  Having you with me was the best happiness in my whole life. If I could live for a second time, I would still want to know you and have you in my life, even if I have to drink salty coffee again." 

     By the time she finished, the letter was totally drenched with her tears.

     One day, someone asked her, "What's the taste of salty coffee?"

     Her reply, "It's sweet".