15/11/2024
The Story of Two Seeds: A Lesson on Opportunity Cost
What if every choice you made came with a hidden cost? Would it change how you decide?
We’ve all heard about opportunity cost in economics, but how does it play out in life?
Let me use a story to illustrate it.
In the village of Choices, there was a farmer named Chinedu.
Chinedu had a small piece of land from his ancestors, which he loved to farm.
One day, while sorting through his grandfather’s old trunk, he found two seeds, each with a note:
1️⃣ “Plant this seed, and in three years, you will have the sweetest berries anyone has ever tasted. But, you must care for it all the time.”
2️⃣ “Plant this seed, and you might have a tree that gives golden apples. But, you need to wait for ten years, and there’s no sure thing it will grow.”
Chinedu was faced with a big decision.
He could plant the berry seed for quick, sweet fruit, or gamble on the golden apple seed for a potentially bigger reward, but with no guarantees.
After much thought, Chinedu chose to plant the berry seed.
He decided that the risk of waiting ten years for a maybe was too much.
He wanted the certainty of something good NOW.
Years later, the berries were a success, and Chinedu lived a happy life, but he often wondered about the golden apples.
He heard that another farmer who planted the golden apple seed did eventually see gold, but after much hardship.
Here’s the lesson on Opportunity Cost:
1️⃣ What You Give Up
Opportunity cost is what you miss out on when you choose one thing over another.
Chinedu gave up the possibility of golden apples for the surety of sweet berries.
2️⃣ The Cost of Time
Time is also a part of opportunity cost.
Chinedu used his time to nurture his berry plants, enjoying the process and community, while the other farmer spent his time in uncertainty and isolation.
3️⃣ No Perfect Choice
Every decision has its regrets.
Chinedu might have thought about the golden apples, but he knew his choice brought him joy and community.
4️⃣ Value Beyond Money
The real value in life isn’t always about what you can earn or own, but what you experience and the relationships you build.
What About You?
Have you ever faced a decision like Chinedu’s?
One path offers immediate rewards, and the other promises greater potential but with higher risks.
The path you take might mean turning away from another, but what you gain or learn on your chosen path can be worth more than you might have imagined.
Share your story in the comments—I’d love to hear how you’ve managed your choices!
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