We all need good advice sometimes. Many of us look to our grandparents for support when dealing with tough times. In this story, which is popular online, a grandmother shares some simple wisdom with her granddaughter.
The author of this tale seems to be unknown, but their wise words hold a truth that everyone can understand.
The story starts with a young woman visiting her grandmother. She feels overwhelmed by her life and seeks guidance. Her grandmother responds by bringing out a carrot, eggs, and coffee…
“A young woman visited her grandma and shared how difficult life was for her. She felt like giving up because it seemed like every time she solved one issue, another popped up.
Her grandma took her into the kitchen and filled three pots with water on high heat until they boiled. In the first pot went carrots; in the second were eggs; in the last pot were ground coffee beans.”
“After about twenty minutes she turned off the heat and took out the carrots into a bowl first then pulled out the eggs into another bowl before ladling out coffee into yet another bowl.
Looking at her granddaughter she asked ‘What do you see?’ ‘Carrots, eggs and coffee,’ came the reply.”
“She brought her closer to feel the carrots which were soft now after boiling them! Then she asked to break an egg.
Once peeled it revealed a hard-boiled egg inside! Finally she invited her to sip some coffee as its rich aroma made her smile.”
The granddaughter then wondered “What does this mean Grandma?” The grandmother explained that each item faced boiling water but reacted differently.
The carrot entered strong but became weak after being boiled.
The egg started fragile but became hard inside after facing hot water.”
“However, ground coffee beans were different; they changed their surroundings instead of just reacting.”
‘Which are you?’ she questioned her granddaughter. ‘When challenges come your way how do you respond? Are you like a carrot or an egg or maybe even like a bean?’
“Think about it: Which am I? Am I strong like a carrot that wilts under pressure? Do I lose my strength when things get tough?”
“Am I more like an egg that has become hardened due to struggles? Does my outside look fine while inside I’m bitter?”
“Or am I similar to those coffee beans? They change hot water into something better! When things get rough do I rise above them?”
This story made me think about what kind of person I am during challenges—what about you? A carrot or an egg or maybe even coffee?
Share this parable with your friends & family!
