Rice has often received redit for health-giving properties. Boiled rice, which is easily digested by people recovering from illness, is sometimes eaten to treat stomach problems. People with food allergies can usually enjoy rice. This story, from theVai people of Liberia, probably dates back to the 17th century and attests to rice's healing properties.The Vai tribe was traveling along the West African coast. Its people had left the dry plains of their Mali homeland many moons before. Then, they reached a great ocean and turned south. Again, they walked for many moons and were nearingthe region now called Liberia. To their right, the great Atlantic Ocean stretched blue and gray beyond the horizon. To their left, the dark tangled jungle formed a thick green barrier.
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