Alternative history

SIR: The letter in the May issue about ‘iseing’ all ‘izes’ reminded me of a story I was told in Iran, which I believe to be true. The medieval shahs, though strict Muslims and hence teetotal, accepted that the demands of diplomacy required them to be more relaxed about alcohol when entertaining foreign dignitaries. When Ayatollah Khomeini took charge, he was outraged, and gave orders that, in school history books, all references to wine should be replaced by references to milk. This was duly done, and the new history books were issued, shortly followed by questions from the pupils who wanted to know what red milk was. John Duffield, Loughton, Essex.