FORTUNE COOKIE DILEMMA

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When was the last time you went out for a Chinese meal? You probably have your favorite destination and favorite dishes. I know I do and I love Chinese food-- -- such a wide variety of dishes to choose from; varies from tangy and tart to bland and soupy. Everything can be cooked together or it can be separate. But no matter, the end result is generally very tasty.

And after the tantalizing meal the best part arrives--- the fortune cookie! Yes, those cute little wafer cookies can cause quite a stir around the table. People grab for them immediately, debating which one is meant for them. Wondering " If I take this one will it be a better fortune than the other, will it make a difference in my life?" Will it tell me something prophetic that will change the course I’m on, will it tell me to be nicer, will it tell me to look deep into my soul, will it direct me to another job--- or will it provide me with the winning numbers for the next lottery draw? Either way it is a chance to find that elusive happiness.

What happens if you open your cookie and there are 2 pieces of paper--- the decision--- which one to heed, or do you get double luck? Or perhaps you will have the misfortune of opening a cookie and receive no piece of paper. What then? Are you doomed to a life with no good fortune!

The other night we received a take-out meal, had it delivered to our door. It was after a horrendous thunderstorm, and we had no power to cook. What a wonderful excuse to order from our favorite Chinese restaurant. We ate by candlelight and enjoyed the egg rolls and Shanghai noodles, our favorite beef and chicken dishes, plenty of black bean sauce. Steaming rice. Can’t you just taste it!! So after we were all fed sufficiently it was time for the fortune cookies. Each of us opened ours and read them aloud, anxious to hear the next prophecy. Our daughter was the last--- she opened one and no paper fell out, she opened the 2nd one and no paper fell out, she then opened the 3rd and again no paper. What a huge disappointment--- so she is either really lucky and doesn’t need a fortune or she will be doomed with 7 years bad luck. Oh, wait a minute--- that’s a broken mirror isn’t it?

The Webster’s dictionary describes fortune as the supposed arbitrary power that determines events; luck; destiny; prosperity; success; vast wealth. Put that together with the explanation of cookie and you certainly have a winning combination. Not only do you receive a dose of healthy optimism you also get a darn fine tasting biscuit. Positive reinforcement in the highest form.

So next time you venture to your favorite eating establishment and partake in a wonderful Chinese meal enjoy the tastes, sights and smells. And in particular savor your fortune cookie-- give it the respect it so definitely deserves--- after all, it could change your life, or someone else’s. Even if you get one with no paper you’re a lucky person-- remember you were able to go out to eat and didn’t have to cook. That’s my definition of ‘good luck’!