My Life as a Tea Bag

I can remember a few key episodes in my life. Quite a lot of them, actually, though in a highly censored form to maintain my self-esteem. One thing I cannot remember, despite considerable effort, is my birth. In fact I can’t remember my first thought, and I’m not sure what my earliest memory was. I recall being allowed to go out and buy my own box of matches, but someone reminded me recently that I was twenty-five when that happened, so other events may have preceded it.

The Tea Bag of which we speak comes from the finest plantation. You can equate it to the very best in nursery schools, where the little leaves are cherished and pampered as if they are the most important things on the planet. Oh yes, they are loving this part of their life. Time moves on through school and some kind of graduation ceremony where the individual segments of leaf are collected into Tea Bags, and placed in smart outer packaging so as to attract the end user.

They settle in together, bonding with the camaraderie found in regiments, and share their school and childhood memories : it’s a beautiful time. The future is shrouded in mystery but new friendships are formed, and the packaging is delightfully comfortable.

Early one morning, they hear a noise, a humming and then whistling sound which might be the sound of passing angels. The package opens and Tea Bag and one of his chums are transported quickly into adjacent cups. After a short pause, they are covered with boiling water, and then a giant spoon comes down and squishes them mercilessly against the side of the cup… several times.

Finally, when they think it’s all over for them, they are whisked out of the cup and find themselves falling into some dark place full of biscuit wrappers and other refuse. By chance they are near each other and can console themselves for their abrupt change of circumstances.

“Don’t worry”, says the braver friend. “It’s only a phase: better times are ahead I’m sure”. It’s a sentiment which cheers them in the darkness of the wastebin. Luckily they have each other, and the future is yet to be discovered.  Sometimes enjoying the moment is the wisest thing to do.  Of course, lost in the contemplation of their circumstances they forget that part of their essence has warmed and cheered some other entity, and helped him face his day .  The purpose of your life can be beyond your understanding. It may find you, rather than you discovering it.  Will that thought comfort the Tea Bags ?

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