Ruby october 2016

The Parable of the Measuring Cups

by Sharon L. Patterson I remember the day we arrived. Chef Markem opened the package he ordered from the restaurant supply because of its reputation for producing the best steel-cooking utensils available. We came complete with a lifetime guarantee against damage from usage.

When he opened the wrapping we were all nestled together, one inside the other, in a single stack. I was inside 1/2 cup and 1/4 cup lay snugly inside me. It was a cozy group to say the least. How well we fit together! Our shiny steel glistened under the bright kitchen lights.

As Chef Markem took each of us from our cozy stack and placed us on the counter, I was suddenly aware for the first time that though we were made of the same metal, we were each very different in size. I looked to my right and saw ½ cup. Wow! His capacity was twice mine. Glancing on down the line, I could hardly take in the other cups dimensions. A quick turn to the left made me feel a little better. At least I am bigger than ¼ cup! Ha! Funny we are called ‘measuring cups’ because that is exactly what I was doing…m e a s u r i n g cups!

I barely finished my task when Chef reached for the biggest of us all. Why was he grabbing 1 cup first? Is it because he can hold so much? Why hasn’t he picked me? I might have to work more, but aren’t we made of the same stuff? Questions whizzed in my head as he continued to pick up the other sized cups and fill them with various ingredients. His hand suddenly reached for me: “Good, there is hope for me after all!”

An important call had come in earlier that morning from London. One of Chef Markem’s specialty cakes was a royal favorite. It was quite a complicated cake to make involving 6 layers, 4 types of exotic chocolate and creams, the like of which I had never heard of. I lost count as he called for the ingredients to begin the famed recipe.

I was washed, glistening and prepared to be used. However, as each ingredient was doled out, my use was so minimal compared to the others. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.

I would simply have to be patient. Maybe next time, right? It pains me to say this, but the finished product really was worthy of a queen’s indulgence.

On Friday, the kitchen received a special order from the Make-A-Wish foundation for a very ill fiveyear-old girl named Jamie. She wanted a three-layer Minnie Mouse decorated lemon, vanilla and strawberry cake. Chef Markem pulled us from the drawer, and unstacked us in anticipation of filling us with the needed ingredient for Jamie’s special cake.

Again, I was used very little but once more I had to admit the finished product was just awesome.

Jamie’s mom came into the kitchen to see it before it was delivered. The tears fell and mirrored her delight on my shiny surface.

Suddenly, I got it! Although I was used very few times in the cooking process, the finished product was perfect. I held exactly what I was meant to hold and poured out in the order I needed to be. I served my purpose as fully as 1cup, ½ cup, and even 1/3 cup.” So long insecurity! So long measuring the measuring cups! Hello purpose!”