Ethiopian fable

During yet another looooong car trip on a very bumpy road, we asked Birhan to tell us a story that children hear and were entertained by the following:

A man went to a wedding ceremony and was turned away at the gate. He was very poor and his clothes were in poor repair and despite his invitation, he was told that he wasn't presentable enough to attend. So he went back to the street and paid to rent clothing that would get him in the door. The trick worked and he was able to celebrate. When dinner was served, he picked up some wat (stew) with his injera and proceeded to smear it on his clean clothing, over and over again. "What are you doing?!" the other guests exclaimed. The man replied that as it was his clothing that was really invited to the wedding, the food must also be intended for the garments.