I went shopping for fresh vegetables on Sunday, as I do every Sunday. I checked the labels and made sure I had everything on my list.
I wanted something sweet with my coffee the next morning, so I brought a bag of strawberries out to wash.
I stopped when I spotted something strange when I tore off the cover.
There was a long, thin, odd item in the middle of the bright, sparkly strawberries.
At first, I thought it was an accident, like a string or lace that an employee had carelessly left behind when packing.
But the thing that made me shake right away was that it looked like it was moving. It was so small that I could hardly see it, yet I could feel a slight vibration, like a tiny breath. My heart was racing. I bent down and examined at every inch, trying to figure out what I was seeing.
I witnessed little, repeated motions that made it look like the thing was trying to come out of the plastic wrap.
I saw what it really was when I looked closer. 😱
When I looked more closely, I saw that it was only a small snake. The shock was still quite great. You never expect to find anything other than fruit in sealed packaging, but there it was.
This made me remember how vital it is to be mindful about what we consume. The strawberries were just right: red, shiny, and clean. There was no hint that an unexpected “guest” was hiding inside.
👉I called the grocery store right away to let them know. They quickly took the bad batch off the shelves and began to dig into the supply chain.
This anecdote shows that even the most routine things can be strange. A simple wish for something tasty transformed into an amazing moment that I will always have.
The next time you open a box of fruit, remember this story. Then take a closer look between the berries! 😉