I found an old recipe card with three different inks on it. Someone had crossed out a quantity, someone else had added a note in the margin, and I had written a substitution at the bottom. The title was the only line nobody had touched.
It made me think of the ship of Theseus: if its parts are replaced one by one, is it still the same ship? I kept the card. Whatever the answer, it was still filed under the original name.
Comic transcript
Panel 1. Alan presents a steaming saucepan to Ruth. A tasting spoon lies beside it.
Alan: “Exactly as Grandma made it.”
Panel 2. Ruth points towards the soup. Alan shrugs.
Ruth: “Didn't she use leeks?”
Alan: “I had carrots.”
Panel 3. Ruth picks up the spoon. Alan counts on his fingers.
Ruth: “And potatoes?”
Alan: “Rice. I substituted everything.”
Panel 4. Alan raises a finger. Ruth extends the spoon towards him.
Alan: “Have you heard of the ship of Theseus?”
Panel 5. Alan now holds the spoon low over the saucepan but continues talking. Ruth points to the soup.
Ruth: “Taste it.”
Alan: “But was it still the same ship?”
