Saturday, 18 February 2012 | By: Amandine Ronny Montegerai

The Cup of Coffee


A lecturer came to his class and surprised his students by bringing a Cup of Coffee.

He held it up for all to see & asked the students “What do you think is the weight of this Cup?


50gms!’ …. ’100gms!’ …..’125gms’  the students answered.

Frankly speaking I haven’t yet weighed it” said the lecturer, “but, my question is:  What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?

Nothing’ …..the students said.  

Ok what would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?’ the lecturer asked.

Your arm would begin to ache’ said one of the student “You’re right, now what would happen if I held it for a day?

Your arm could go numb, you might have severe muscle stress & paralysis & have to go to hospital for sure!”  ventured another student & all the students laughed “Very good. But during all this, did the weight of the Cup change?” asked the lecturer.

No‘…. Was the answer.

Then what caused the arm ache & the muscle stress?

The students were puzzled.

What should I do now to come out of pain?” asked the lecturer again.

Put the cup down!” said one of the students

Exactly!” said the lecturer.

Life’s problems are something like this.

Hold it for a few minutes in your head & they seem OK.

Think of them for a long time & they begin to ache.

Hold it even longer & they begin to paralyze you. You will not be able to do anything.

Moral: Non in the world has lived without problems, everyday we face so many problems in life that if we hold each and everyone of them, our life will be paralyzed. Its important to think about the solutions to the problems but also important to keep it down before we sleep so that we can start fresh the next day.


Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere," [Quran 2:155]