Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru, lived at Anandpur. He instructed every Sikh to keep a free kitchen of his own so that pilgrims and travellers could be fed. No one should be sent away hungry.
One morning, he decided to see if his instructions had been carried out. He rose early and, disguised as a pilgrim, went through the town asking for something to eat. Everywhere his request met with the same reply. "We are still getting the food ready. We are not ready to receive guests. You will have to wait."
The Master went from door to door until he came to the house of Bhai Nandlal. Here the Sikh welcomed the stranger with a beaming smile and invited him into his kitchen. Everything was put before him just as it was - butter, half-kneaded flour, half-cooked pulses and other vegetables.
"This is ready and it is for you", said Bhai Nandlal, "You may eat now or wait until the food is properly prepared".
Next morning Guru Gobind Singh told his followers that there was only one Langar (Free Kitchen) in Anandpur and that it belonged to Bhai Nadlal.
From Religion in the Multifaith School, ed O.Cole