In Nashville, Tennessee, someone broke into the Bongo Java Coffee Shop early Christmas morning and made off with a miraculous cinnamon bun bearing an uncanny resemblance to Mother Teresa. The "Nun Bun " -- as it was relabeled after Mother Teresa objected to commercial promotion of her image -- had been on display in the shop since its discovery ten years ago.

One morning prior to opening in October 1996, store manager Ryan Finney recognized the famous visage before biting into the pastry. Media attention in December 1996 triggered a rush of curious visitors. Ten years later, pilgrims from distant lands still came to see the face and head scarf of the saintly woman writ in cinnamon swirls.

The theft was apparently carefully planned, the Nun Bun specifically targeted -- it was the only thing missing in the shop.

[12/26/2005]