Eating like the natives,--here comes the tug-of-war. The "backward tribes,"--Chins, Kachins, Salongs, many tribes of Karens, and others, eat everything,--from the white ant to the white-eyed monkey. Worms, beetles, maggots, lizards, snakes, and many other such delicious morsels would form a part of one's daily diet,--a necessary part, unless the missionary has supplied himself with tinned provisions,--in which case he would not be living like the natives. But we will suppose that the missionary's lot has "fallen in pleasant places"--among the more civilized Burmans of the plains. Rice will be the centre and substance of the two daily meals. Rice, well-cooked,--the natives can do that to perfection,--is an excellent food, and finds a conspicuous place on the bill of fare at every European table. But rice is made palatable by the savoury "curry" served with it. In jungle-villages, and among poor people in the town this curry will be made of vegetables (not such vegetables as we have known in the home-land), and tender sprouts and leaves, seasoned with chillies. Devout Buddhists will not take animal life, hence meat-curries, if far from the market, may not be thought of. If the missionary has undertaken to live among the natives and like the natives, he must learn to do without meat. They will not kill a fowl for him. If he kills one for himself, he has broken his contract. But, perchance, an animal may die of itself, then its carcass will be parcelled out to all the villagers, and the missionary will have his share. In the town he may fare better, without breaking his rule. Meat slaughtered by non-Buddhists is on sale in the Bazar every day. Buddhists as well as others may buy and eat, for the sin is only in the killing, in which they had no part. It is nothing to them that the demand occasions the supply. So what time the missionary spends in town he may have his meat.