A young woman went to her mother and complained that life was hard for her. She was tired of fighting and struggling. When one problem was solved, a new one appeared. She was ready to give up and quit trying.
Her mother took her to the kitchen where she filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil.
In the first pot she placed carrots. In the second she placed eggs. And in the last pan she put ground coffee beans.
She let them sit and boil without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners.
She spooned the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a cup.
Turning to her daughter she asked, “Tell me what you see.”
“Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She noted that they were soft.
The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.
The daughter then asked, “What does it mean?”
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity—boiling water. And each reacted differently.
The carrot went in strong, confident and firm. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it wilted and weakened.
The egg had been well composed but delicate. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its insides solidified.
The ground coffee beans reacted differently, however. After they were in the boiling water, they changed the water.
”Which are you?” she asked her daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?”
Think of this: Which am I?
Am I the carrot that is strong, but with adversity I wilt, and lose confidence and strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but hardens with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, do I become hardened and feel dejected? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside I am bitter?
Or am I like the coffee bean that changes its environment by being in it? When the water gets hot, the bean releases its fragrance and flavor.
How do you handle adversity?
Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
I have recently felt on occasion that tiredness of the struggle from a stream of challenges. This reminds me that man has God-given dominion over everything in his life. Thus he is not subject to the discordant claims of this earthly environment, but to the laws of Love that reign with supreme harmony over all. Mortal mind is not in charge of me. Divine Mind alone governs/determines my life, so my experience can only be heavenly. Thank you for sharing this story that put a most welcome smile on my face!
As I sit here, having read your story, I feel like a combination of the carrot and the egg. The previous comment helped me to realize that I must forgive any wrong that I feel has been done me and seek to be like the coffee beans.
Thanks for sharing.
This is great! What I love is the limitless idea of the coffee bean and how it affects ALL the water in the pot, not just it limited identy. All we have to do is get out of self and let our light shine. Thanks Evan!
I have heard this parable before but not for awhile. It is a good one! It is such a good reminder for all of us. Thanks for this gentle reminder, Evan, to deal with adversity with “grace” and to not give in to the pressure/strain and let mortal mind win and change us, but to let it bring out the best in us…..with God’s help and ever-present care.
Thanks Evan,
I know I started out as a coffee bean, and sometimes I still do my job well, but I believe, over the years that I have become more like the egg on the inside,it’s seems so hard to stay liquid in the boiling waters, and I am afraid I may some day become mushy and more like a carrot with the appearance of a beautiful orange glow on the outside. Please pray for me. et.
To above,
No need for hardness on the inside! or mushiness either…
These would come from giving into evil. Giving up to the suggestion that evil is powerful in some way and overcoming you.
God is your Life. God is your being, and God is never overcome by evil.
Break out of the illusion you are presently holding to.
You are not helpless or hopeless. You are spiritual reflecting an all-capable God. Evil is not real and powerful. It is illusion.
Loosen up with Love and live in Love. You don’t have to fight the world. Just reflect God and let Truth and Love take care of the rest.