We are living in a very competitive world. Competing and comparing is all a part of the game. This story about the professor and hot chocolate doesn’t fail to resonate with my class in almost all my sessions. Personally too, I love this anecdote.
Life is Like Hot Chocolate- ( Sharing from the Net)
A group of graduates all well established in their respective careers came together for a reunion. They then decide to visit their favourite professor, who had since retired. From recollecting happier times, the conversation soon turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives. It is then the professor offers his young guests hot chocolate. He goes into the kitchen and returns with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups. Some of the cups are made of porcelain, some glass. He even had cups made of crystal. There were plain looking cups, some exquisite. Some of them expensive, some of them looked cheap. A few were cracked and chipped too. He asked them to help themselves to hot chocolate.
When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said: “Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that you’re drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you unconsciously went for the best cups.”
There were a few embarrassed laughs. He went on, ” Not only did you pick the best cups, you also eyed each other’s cups and compared them to yours- unfavourably, I am sure.” The laughs ceased and some of them looked at their feet embarrassed.
Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate. Does the cup matter at all? or is it the hot chocolate that is more important. Now, you know the root for your stress. Concentrate on the chocolate and not the cups.”
With a twinkle in his eyes, the old professor settles back in his chair enjoying the rest of the evening happy that he had driven some home truths.
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Whenever I narrate this story, I give a pause in the class because this story deserves one. It is not just for the students to assimilate but each time, it gives me an opportunity to take stock of my own action too. Am I concentrating on the cup or focusing on the chocolate?
After I had read, Suzanne’s letter to Nicholas by Nicholas Spark, I had to pen down an article titled: The Glass Balls in our Lives which was published in The Hindu.
It ran in somewhat similar lines. What is it that actually adds value to our lives or are we spending our lives chasing insignificant things?
During Covid Pandemic, when the world closed down, I felt there was much more humanity than ever before. Idly watching two carts, I was tempted to pen down this fictional tale. The Tale of the Two Apple Carts was published in Reflections Live. I hope that somewhere it just doesn’t remain a fiction.
This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
in collaboration with Ratna Prabha.
25 comments
It’s so true how we obsess over the fancy cups when what we really crave is the hot chocolate (aka life). The way you describe everyone eyeing the porcelain and crystal mugs had me chuckling and nodding in recognition. I especially liked the moment of serene embarrassment when the professor points out our comparison habit—so relatable! Your writing makes a simple story feel warm, wise, and gently humorous. Thanks for the reminder to savor the chocolate, not the cup ☕
The story struck a deep chord. In our pursuit of finer things in life, we often overlook life itself. What an incredible and eye-opening message! Thank you for sharing it.
The retelling of this old story where the Professor opens the eyes of his students to the cause of stress , still is relevant today.Does the taste of the coffee or chocolate change with the cup? On those lines , I am compelled to check out your other published articles, thanks for sharing their links here.
‘The tale of the two apples ‘carts ‘ was interesting, I have read something similar. But it was interesting how the two boys changed an adverse situation to their advantage through their ingenuity.
I love to add that it is such a wonderful reminder, thanks to this profound story. It just made me pause and reflect, we do chase the best-looking cup, and while missing the fact that the hot chocolate inside the cup that makes it all worth
How lovely is that story! True, we often forget to enjoy life in itself, to compete to possess the best of things. A very needed reminder for all.
This is an amazing anecdote, and it is so profound. Most of us tend to see only the outer glamour and ignore the truth inside. I always try to judge people from who they are and never from their looks.
This resonated deeply! The story captures the essence of misplaced ambition and the joy that comes from refocusing on what truly matters. Chandrika’s take is both elegant and heartfelt; the kind of post that stays with you.
This story always touches my heart and reminds me to pause and savor life itself, not just its outer trappings. Thank you for sharing it so beautifully — a gentle nudge I needed today to focus on my own “hot chocolate.”
Understanding life is all about perspective, and many of times, we loose one with the constant rush and rapid flow of the life events. We all need someone to pulls us back to a level to give our perspective back. It can be a friend or an event. Thanks for a lovely story!
Such a beautiful story and reminder! I’ve heard this hot chocolate analogy before, but the way you’ve shared it made me reflect deeply again. It’s so true, we often miss enjoying life while chasing after the perfect “cup.” Thank you for this gentle nudge.
I liked the lessons of this story. But for me, the cup matters as much as the hot chocolate. It kind of doubles the pleasure. I am now going to read Suzanne’s letter to Nicholas by Nicholas Spark, bookmarked that, thanks to your post.
A shrewd lesson indeed: that the vessel is but a vessel. In life, let us savour the substance, not covet the container.
I completely agree with this. It’s so true that we often get caught up in comparing the cups instead of enjoying the hot chocolate of life. This story is such a great reminder to focus on what really matters. Thanks for sharing.
The story remind me of some similar situations… my sister was educated , qualified and was also working in a small school and my parents were looking for the right match for her…. many proposals came and almost all rejected my sister and the reason is the dusky tone of my sister… no one looked at her inner beauty and her quality as a human being who is financially independent …..one of these proposals … the boy’s mom answered when my father asked ” May I know the reason behind not finding my daughter perfected for your son?” the mother said all good about your daughter but I was looking for a fair complexioned girl, qualification does not make any difference. It pained my parents brutally and my sister felt hurt. Then a match came which truned prospective and my sister is married now. On the other hand that boy’s mom accidentally came across my mother in some family friends daughter’s wedding. That lady came to my mom and hold my mother’s hand….” Didi, is you daughter still unmarried I would like to make her my daughter in law?” My mother was shocked and said sorry she is married now. That lady cried down and said I got my son married with a good looking girl who was graduate and from a rich family. But accidentally few months later she asked for a divorce… the reason was my son’s income was not enough to match her desires and expectations and she had an extra marital affairs. My son requested her to do some job and they both can manage the expenses well…. she refused and the divorce happen. I refused your daughter for dusky skin see the fair skin girl did what to our family….. didi we should look at inner beauty and quality, not the external one… when we do that …life turns traumatic and stressed……………………….. Just like the hot chocolate in an expensive cup :)
This is such a nice personal story to share. It is indeed sad that people didn’t recognize the beauty of your sister. I am so glad that the woman came and apologized. Often you don’t get to hear a sorry from the other person
It’s one of the most remarkable life lesson that I’ll surely tell others. I had to pause and reflect on the kind of cup I’m drinking from and how I too have been a part of checking other’s cups. Thank you for writing this blog, something that will linger within me for a long time.
I loved the analogy you portrayed to explain the simple truth of live and the mindset of the humans.
I loved the way the teacher explained about hot chocolate and the outer cups. We all sometimes forget life is to be cherished, not to complain about what we have or what we don’t, as nothing is permanent.
This is such an important life lesson. I loved the comparison. We give so much importance to the cup that we fail to remember is the chocolate that is important.
I love the wisdom of the professor. We do give importance to things we shouldn’t be giving to. I have not come across this story earlier, so thank you for sharing it with us. It is food for thought indeed.
A reminder I often need—focus on the warmth of life, not the container. The cup distracts, but oh, the chocolate comfort
Such an important life lesson explained in such simple terms. We all want that hot chocolate but believe that it tastes better when the cup is expensive. Alas, that isn’t the case. Good story!
This is a lovely tale but gives you a very good lesson to learn. Quite often we only bother about the cups and not what’s inside it.
This is such an important reminder and serves as a true lesson one should adhere to in life. I especially loved the comparison
The the analogy. I can imagine the kind of reaction it invokes when you share it with your students. It also made me pause and think. We are all so obsessed with the material possessions that we fail to understand what truly matters.