Friday, May 11, 2007

Cookie Tale

I was recently told this story...I have no one to whom I can give credit, because I know not who wrote it or from where it originally came. But it is beautiful and deserves to be told, so I thought I would share it with all of you.

A young lady was waiting for her flight in the boarding room of a big airport.

As she would need to wait many hours, she decided to buy a book to pass the time. She also bought a bag of cookies.

She sat down in an armchair in the VIP room to rest and read in peace. Beside the armchair where the packet of cookies lay, a man sat down in the next seat, opened his magazine and started reading. When she took the first cookie, the man took one also.

She felt irritated, but said nothing. She just thought, "What nerve. If I was in the mood, I would punch him just for daring!" For each cookie she took, the man took one too. This was infuriating her, but she didn't want to cause a scene. When only one cookie remained, she thought: "Ah ha! What's this abusive man going to do now?"

Then the man, taking the last cookie, divided it and gave her one half. That was too much! She was much too angry now! In a huff, she took her book and things and stormed off to commence boarding. When she sat down in her seat inside the plane, she looked in her purse to get her glasses, and, to her surprise, her package of cookies was there, untouched, unopened.

She felt so ashamed. She was wrong. She had forgotten that she had put her cookies in her purse. The man had divided his cookies with her without feeling angered or bitter...while she had been very angry thinking that she was dividing her cookies with him. And now there was no chance to explain herself or to apologize.

There are four things you cannot recover:
The stone after the throw.
The word after it's said.
The occasion after it's lost.
The time after it's gone.

23 comments:

Portrait of Peter said...

Carla, that is just so wonderful a story and does show how one can misinterpret a situation so easily.

The gentleman remaining composed throughout even to the last cookie in sharing.

And I so luv the quotations - how very true!!

Thank you for sharing such an interesting post and delightful photo's - especially close-up of the cookies!!

My favourites!!!

jillie said...

WOW...great story. Kind of like open mouth insert foot. Been there and done that! We are all only human right?

Fuser said...

6:49 - I just woke up and I checked your blog for new posts... Yours is perfect today - I had a painful experience when I was in London in 1992: I happened to be unfair with a friend I had, and I have never had the chance to set things straight. I still secretly blame myself for that episode. Ever since that very moment, I have been trying to me more attentive and respectful of people's feelings. That mistake helped me a lot. Thank you and have a great day Carla.

Anonymous said...

I love that!
It is kindness that unites us all... Thank you for sharing your story. And for that strange man for sharing his cookies.

Carla said...

Peter, one certainly can misinterpret situations easily. It's always prudent advice to step back, think and breathe before reacting. Come for cookies anytime.

Jillie, that was my initial reaction also. Life does sometimes place us in interesting situations.

Carla said...

Fede, As regretful as that experience was, it sounds like you have chosen to use it as an avenue of growth. Another quote which speaks to me is: There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them.
~ Dr. Denis Waitley ~

It sounds like you've chosen the second, which in and of itself is admirable.

Sandi, Kindness does unite us and heals all kinds of wrongs. I have to remember to share my cookies more often.

Toby said...

Nice story, I especially like the four things at the end. Have a great weekend, Carla. :-)

Carla said...

Toby, I hope you have a great weekend too. I'm now off to enjoy the nice sunny weather we're having.

BurdockBoy said...

Hello again.

Great story. I thought perhaps he was going to claim that he was doing her a favour by helping eat all of the cookies. I like the ending you told better.

Also love the rhubard recipe. We returned to a bit of rhubarb in our yard as well. I just made a crisp.

Have a great weekend.

Carla said...

Burdockboy, Glad to see you're back. I wasn't sure what the ending was going to be the first time I heard the story either. I hope you enjoy the crisp. Have a nice weekend.

Anonymous said...

Great story with good meaning. The old story is sometime what seem obvious is not what is really going on. Thanks for sharing.

Steffi said...

Wow Carla,what for a wonderful beautiful story and pictures!I like airport stories...

Anonymous said...

Lovely tale, Carla, wonderfully presented with the photographs.

Bon weekend.

The Fool said...

What an interesting vignette. That neither of them said anything is what stands out to me. She, at least, finds a bit of resolution when she discovers her own cookies...but I wonder how this story is told from the man's perspective? What were his lessons?

Carla said...

Sidar, So true, so true.

Steffi, Airports are certainly a place for adventures. I've had a few myself, but none involving cookies.

Winters, A good weekend to you as well. Although I suppose yours is almost over now, so perhaps I should be wishing you a good week.

Fool, Indeed, I am sure that the man is telling a very different story. Perspective is everything.

Debbie said...

A wonderful lesson and story. So true those things that can't be undone. Unfortunately I have been that person occasionally that says something and then regret it later. This is a great reminder to live consciously rather than just reacting.

Carla said...

Debbie, I think we've all been that person at one point or another in our lives...I think that's why the story hits home for most people. Thanks for dropping by.

Gracie Rose said...

Did you actually take the pics of the cookies? Youre way good! My brother is really into photography too! Will you visit my blog and send a comment please?

JBelle said...

is there a finer distinction than that of gentility and grace? loved the story and the pictures.

Divian said...

Great story.

Now for some reason I am left with a craving for chocolae chip cookies.

And it is soooo late. Darn it!!

Carla said...

Gracie, thanks for stopping by...and of course I'll drop by and leave you a comment.

JBelle, as usual, very aptly put.

Awaiting, dreadful when those cravings come at godforsaken hours. I could do with some chocolate, myself.

atomicarena said...

Hi Carla,

This is the first time I am reading your blog as one of friends asked me to read this.

It was a short and sweet story.

Keep blogging.

--
Atomic

Carla said...

Atomicarena, Thanks for dropping by and for your kind comments. Feel free to stop by anytime.