It is told that during the second cycle of the universe, when magic was scarce but powerful, a travelling imp roamed the length and breadth of Vietnam, moving only when nobody was looking.

He wrote the unknowable secrets of the gods on the finest rice paper before neatly folding them up into delicious vegetable filled bit-sized parcels.

The gods watched on in horror but the imp was too crafty and quick to be caught even by them.

Any human lucky enough to consume one his secret spring rolls is said to be blessed with the deepest wisdom and the ability to see the imp when others, including the gods cannot.