Story of Noah’s Pudding: Aşure

A very, very long time ago, back in the very first ages of humanity, people lived kindly together. They treated one another with fairness, spoke gently, and showed care for nature and all living creatures.

As time passed, more and more people filled the world. Little by little, they began to argue over small, silly things. They forgot how to share. They hurt one another, harmed animals, and damaged the earth without thinking.

The gods watched all of this with great sadness and anger. They talked among themselves for a long time. They did not want to harm the wonderful beings they had created, but they could no longer ignore the wars, cruelty, and destruction spreading across the world.

In the end, their mercy was stronger than their anger. They decided to give humanity one last chance.

Among all the people in the world, there was one man who still lived honestly and peacefully, who respected nature and treated others with kindness. His name was Noah.

The gods came to Noah in a dream and told him that a great disaster was coming. They asked him to build a very large ship so that life could begin anew. He was to take his family, and one pair of every animal, and gather enough food to last for a long time.

Noah accepted their request at once and began planning the ship. Of course, building something so large, finding so many animals, and gathering food for months could not be done alone.

Noah asked everyone he could for help: Some to build the ship, some to find animals, some to collect supplies, and some to spread the word of the imminent disaster. Sadly, very few believed him. Many laughed and said he was wasting his time.

At last, when the ship was finished and every animal pair was ready, Noah prayed to the gods before going to sleep. That night, they came to him in his dream and told him the disaster would begin in two days. They warned him not to take anyone aboard who had refused to believe him.

Noah hesitated but obliged, though he made one request: that those who had helped build the ship and prepare for the journey be allowed to come aboard as well. The gods considered his words for a moment. They had seen how hard everyone had worked to build the great ship. So, they accepted Noah’s wish.

The next morning, Noah went door to door to those who had believed him and helped him. He told them to gather as much food as they could in two days and bring it to the ship. They bagged their grains, legumes, dried fruits, and cured meats. They collected everything edible from their gardens and brought the bags of food to the arc.

On the evening of the second day, Noah closed the arc’s doors. Outside, people were still laughing and making fun of him. Joking that he had locked himself in a floating barn full of animals.

Then the rain began.

At first it was only a drizzle. No one paid much attention. But the rain grew heavier and heavier. Small puddles turned into ponds. Ponds into rivers. Rivers into floods.

Those who finally understood the danger began to cry out, begging Noah to let them in. But the gods’ command was absolute. The waters rose swiftly and covered everything in sight.

After the storm ended in a single night, a quiet, silent day followed.

When the people on the ship awoke, they saw nothing but water: An endless sea in every direction, sparkling under the glorious sun all the way to the horizon. The gods were silent.

With limited food and no way of knowing how long they had to last at sea, Noah sent out a white dove, hoping it might find land. And to make sure the food would last, they decided to ration it. Eat small meals, slowly and carefully.

Days turned into weeks. Weeks into months. The dove did not return.

Fear began to grow in their empty stomachs.
What if they had made a mistake?
What if the gods had tricked them?
What if all their efforts were for nothing?

Just as arguments began to rise, Noah spoke. “I know you are afraid,” he said gently. “But we have done everything we could. We followed the gods’ words. Surely, they will not abandon us now.”

Knowing how hunger can darken the heart, he added, “Let us eat together. Maybe with full stomachs and calm minds, we can think more clearly.”

Everyone on board had put their faith in Noah. They trusted him and added whatever food they still had into one large pot. They cooked it slowly and shared it among themselves.

The meal was mainly of grains, beans, and dried foods that lasted the longest. Although unfamiliar, it was so warm and comforting that smiles returned to their faces. Even in this dire situation, their hearts felt a little lighter.

In their language, aş meant “food,” and üre meant “to multiply.”
So they named this shared dish Aşure, to remember how a little bit of food from everyone had filled them all.

The tense, gloomy mood faded. Kind words were spoken. Songs were sung. They all made peace and hugged one another. Though their situation had not changed, they felt thankful, hopeful.

Just then, a small white shimmer appeared on the horizon. At first they thought it was just the sun’s reflection, but as the shimmer came closer and closer, they realized it was a white dove.

When the dove landed on the ship, they saw the olive branch it carried in its beak.

Wonder and joy spread through the ship. The dove had found land!

They turned the ship toward where the dove had come from and rowed together with all their strength. Time was short, and their food was gone, but they all worked as one.

Soon, they saw land. Rocky green hills leading up to snow capped peaks. Though they didn’t recognize it at the time, this was the top of the tallest mountain they had ever seen.

Upon landing on the mountain, the first thing they did was release the animals, who had had to stay in the ship for so long. Then the people stepped onto the earth themselves and thanked the gods for the olive branch and for bringing them safely through.

As they explored the land, they found olive trees and fig trees stretching as far as the eye could see. They ate happily, rebuilt their lives, and over the years, they grew into new families, villages, and cities.

And though many years passed, everyone who tasted Aşure remembered it as the dish that brought hope, warmth, and joy in humanity’s darkest moment.

The End.

(Craving some Aşure? Never had it before?
Try our detailed recipe on YouTube)

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