Here is an old Slovak folk-legend about the origin of mushrooms:

Here is an old Slovak folk-legend about the origin of mushrooms:

While Jesus and Peter were passing through a small village, they heard wedding music coming from a humble cottage. Although very poor, the parents of the bride were righteous and invited the two travelers to participate in the festivities. They happily agreed, but Jesus warned Peter to accept no food except bread and salt, for these were very poor people with limited means even for this celebration. Therefore, while offered every hospitality of the home, Jesus and Peter accepted only the bread and salt. However, as time wore on, Peter longed to try some of the few tasty cakes placed upon the table. Then, when no one was looking, he took a couple and hid them in his pocket. 

Later, as Jesus and Peter continued their way, Peter secretly began nibbling upon the cakes he had taken. Yet at each bite, Jesus would turn abruptly and ask him what he was eating. In fear, Peter would spit out what was in his mouth upon the ground and say, “Nothing.” This happened time and again until all the cakes were gone. At this point, Jesus stopped and told Peter, “I know what you did. Go back and pick up all that you spat out, and I’ll wait for you.”

Hanging his head in shame, Peter left to fetch what he had spit out, but at each site he found no cake, only a strange growth rooted to the soil. Bringing them back to Jesus, Peter said, “Lord, I found no cake, only these grew up from where I spat out the food. Please forgive me.”

Jesus forgave Peter and said, “Let his bring these back to the cottage where the poor people were celebrating the wedding.” They did, and Jesus asked the old woman to cook up what turned out to be mushrooms, and they were delicious. Thus, because mushrooms had sprung up from the food of the poor people, Jesus bestowed them on the poor and taught them where to find them. And, because poor people need help, mushrooms multiply and abound as a food source.

Fr. John