When we were kicked out of Persia by the Arabs thirteen hundred years ago ... We got into boats and sailed to India ... Our forefathers were not given even permission to disembark !... (They) waited for four days" (in the boat) not knowing what was to become of them. Then, at last the Grand Vazir (of the local Raja) appeared on dock with a glass of milk filled to the brim ... It was polite message from the Prince, meaning, 'No, you are not welcome. My land is full and prosperous and we don't want outsiders with a different religion and alien ways to disturb the harmony ... Our forefathers carefully stirred a teaspoon of sugar into the milk and sent it back'. The Prince understood what it meant: the refugees would get absorbed in the country like the sugar in milk. And with their decency and industry sweeten the lives of his subjects.

The Prince ... gave our ancestors permission to live in his kingdom.

- Bapsi Sidhwa: Ice-Candy Man

(Source: The Organiser, 10 April, 2000