Once upon a time, there was a wise and generous Taco Chef who decided to host Taco Tuesday. This chef invited ten of his most loyal and hardworking line cooks to participate, and he gave them each ten different types of tacos to prepare for the event.
As he handed out the tacos, the chef said to his line cooks, “I am going on a journey, but I expect you to continue preparing these tacos until I return. I want each one of you to do your best, and the one who makes the most delicious tacos will be rewarded.”
The line cooks got to work, and they each tried their best to make the most delicious tacos possible. However, when the chef returned, he found that some had done better than others.
To the first line cook, he said, “You have done an excellent job, and your tacos are delicious! You have used your minas wisely, and I shall reward you with ten extra ingredients to use for next Taco Tuesday.”
To the second, he said, “Your tacos are almost as delicious, and you have done a good job of keeping them fresh and warm. I shall reward you with five extra ingredients for next Taco Tuesday.”
To the third, he said, “Your tacos are okay. They could use some more seasoning and spice. But you made do with what you had, and that is admirable. You will receive two extra ingredients for next Taco Tuesday.”
However, when he came to the final line cook, the chef was disappointed. “You have not made any tacos at all!” He said. “What have you been doing all this time?”
The line cook looked ashamed. “I was afraid to try,” he said. “I didn’t want to mess up, and I didn’t know what to do.”
The chef was angry. “You foolish line cook! You have wasted your time and your opportunity! You could have made some delicious tacos, but instead you have nothing to show for yourself.”
And so, the chef took away the minas from the unproductive line cook and gave them to the one who had made the most delicious tacos. For the chef knew that those who use the opportunities they are given will always receive more, while those who do nothing with their opportunities will have them taken away.
