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There is a tale told by children, mostly to shock each other, about a sailor in a city. It goes something like this: One day, a sailor is walking down the street and sees a sign in the store advertising albatross meat for sale. Pushing the other customers aside, he rushes in and seizes a piece, quickly eats it, then rushes back into the street, falling to his knees crying and thanking God.

The shopkeeper, understandably puzzled, follows the sailor. Once the sailor is calm, the shopkeeper asks why he stole and ate the albatross meat and why it caused him to thank God in such a fervent manner.

The sailor replies. "Sir, if you had been with me six months ago you would understand and forgive my theft. As it is, I will tell you the story and if you find my actions understandable, you will allow me to pay you for this small piece of meat that has set me free."

He tells the shopkeeper that his entire ship wrecked at sea and for weeks, the survivors floated aimlessly in dory they had escaped in, with nothing but a box of biscuits to eat, the rain that fell for drink and a small scrap of canvas to catch the wind.

The biscuits ran out and slowly they began to starve to death. Finally, the first mate died. The captain said, "Men, I am sure if we hold out a bit longer we will be near land and rescue, but most will not make it unless we find something to eat. We must consider our options." The crew knew he was suggesting they eat the body of the first mate. Angry, they turned their back on him. Day past into night and they grew more hungry and desperate and began to argue among themselves about the merits of giving in to cannibalism for their survival. While they argued, as chance would have it, an albatross flying over fell into the boat dead. At first, they rejoiced for here was meat that was easy to eat, and then joy fell to sorrow as they realized there was not enough to fill even one belly if they all had equal shares.

The Captain, cautious in his word, suggested that they knew now hunger and pain, but they should also know that hope was near. He suggested that he take the albatross behind the sail with the body of the first mate and cut them both into servings. Then he would mix the meat and they would all have a full share, none the wiser if they had eaten of the bird or the man they had known so well.

They did, and the next day, weak but alive, they were rescued by a passing ship.

"Until today," the sailor told the shopkeeper,

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