CARROT, EGG OR COFFEE BEAN

I came across this some time ago and have always enjoyed the principle of the story….ENJOY..

CARROT, EGG OR COFFEE BEAN

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. 

She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up.  She was tired of fighting and struggling.

It seemed as one problem was solved and a new one arose.

Her mother without answering led her daughter to the kitchen.  She filled three pots with water.  Without saying a word she placed a carrot in one, an egg in another, and coffee beans in the third.

When the water came to a boil she carefully removed each items and placed them in separate bowls. 

The curious daughter looking intently asked, “What’s the point, mother?” 

Turning to her daughter she asked “Tell me what you see”

Carrots, eggs, and coffee.” She replied. 

Her mother said, “feel the carrots.  She did and noted that they were soft.

“Break one of the eggs, her mother directed.  After pulling off the shell she observed the hard-boiled egg.  Finally she sipped the coffee.  The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. 

Ok, Mom, what’s the point? 

Her mom explained that each of the objects had faced the same adversity (circumstances, or unwanted change), boiling water, but each reacted differently.

The carrot, strong, hard, unrelenting going in.  After being subjected to the water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile.  Its thin outer shell protected its liquid interior.  After sitting in the boiling water (the adversity) its inside became hardened. 

The ground coffee beans were unique, in the boiling water, they changed the water.

“WHICH ARE YOU?” The mother asked her daughter.  WHEN ADVERSITY KNOCKS ON YOUR DOOR, HOW DO YOU RESPOND, ARE YOU A CARROT, AN EGG, OR A COFFEE BEAN.