Lessons from a plate of spinach

"Here, have this."

"What's it?"

"Spinach and rice."

"I hate the taste of spinach!"

"Do have it! It tastes good!"

"How! How do you know it tastes good?"

"Because it tasted good?"

"Because it tasted good for you!"

"Yeah... so?"

"How do you know it's going to taste good for me?"

"Well..."

*

"What is this?"

"It's spinach curry."

"You know I hate the taste-"

"Yes, yes! But I've cooked it different this time."

"What's the difference?"

"Now it tastes better!"

"How do you know-"

"Because it tastes for even me!"

"Because the spinach tastes better for you?"

"Yes, it does! Taste it!"

"I didn't like it when it tasted one way. Now, you've made it a better way."

"Yeah?"

"So, I didn't like it when it was just fine. Now you think I'll like it when the spinachness of the dish is enhanced?"

"Well..."

*

"Here, have this."

"What's this?"

"Spinach."

"Again?"

"Yeah!"

"Why so often?"

"Because I like it."

"Why do you like it?"

"Because it tastes better than most other stuff I eat."

"So you make spinach all the time?"

"Yeah?"

"Because you found out you liked something, you're going to make sure you keep liking it."

"If you have to put it like that..."

"Did you enjoy finding out you liked spinach?"

"Oh, yeah, it was at that dinner-"

"OK, OK, OK. So, you found something you liked, you enjoyed the feeling, and now you're happy to be stuck with that feeling?"

"Well..."

*

"Here, have this."

"Is it spinach?"

"Nope."

"Oh! How come?"

"I took your advice. Made beans instead."

"Ah! Smart choice. You liking the beans?"

"Not. One. Bit."

"Making a note of it?"

"Oh, yeah!"

"So... no more spinach?"

"Nope."

"Why not?"

"Gotta find out more likes."

"You found one thing you liked and then you dumped it?"

"Well... yeah! I found something. Score! Let's move on. You taught me that!"

"So, you're essentially betraying your association with spinach."

"What?"

"Don't you think you owe it to yourself that you stick to something you know you like rather than go after something you think you'll like?"

"But you said-"

"I know what I said."

"Then why are you doing this?"

"You're the one who likes spinach."