A n old man is lying on his deathbed with all his children, grandchildren and his older great-grandchildren all around, teary-eyed at the approaching finale of a very long and productive life. The old man in is a terminal coma, and the doctors have confirmed that the waiting will be over within the next twenty-four hours. Suddenly, the old man opens his eyes and croaks: “I must be dreaming of heaven. I smell your grandmother’s chocolate cake.” “No, grandfather, you are not dreaming” his eldest son tells him. Grandmother is baking a chocolate cake now.” “I know I will never have another taste of her delicious chocolate cake after this one. Could you please go down and get me a sliver?” the old man begs with what is left of his final breath. One of the grandchildren is immediately dispatched to honor the old man’s last request. After a long time, the boy returns empty-handed. “Did you bring me one last piece of your grandmother’s delicious chocolate cake?” the old man plaintively queries. “I’m very sorry, grandfather, but she says it’s for the funeral.”
