Fries Anyone?

This mini flash story first appeared in Brunei Times

Fries Anyone?



“No, I don’t want this type of fries. I always had the crinkled-cut type here. Not this one!” complained the man sitting next to my table where I dined with a friend that day.

What? I couldn’t believe what I just overheard. Is this man for real?

I tried to focus on my conversation with my friend but my head was spinning in dizziness with the man’s outburst. He got upset for having to eat a differently-cut fries? Goodness, I was staggered with his ridiculousness and pettiness. How I wished he wasn’t so loud, I could have enjoyed my lunch!

Arguing about having to eat a differently-cut fries which has not even an iota of variation in its taste was appalling. Why must a person insist in making a mountain out of a small mole?

Truly, Richard Armour has said it wisely…

In larger things we are convivial; what causes trouble is the trivial

And how trivial was the matter he pursued. I reflected on myself if I have ever been that way. Have I ever made things difficult for anyone unnecessarily? Have I ever become petty-focused in my daily dealings?

I remembered a lovely advice by beloved Prophet SAW…

Anas reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Make things easy for people and do not make them difficult...." [Agreed upon]




Subhanallaah, we are asked to always make things easy for others. Take the easy way and avoid being a difficult, cranky, grumpy and an annoying person. It is a sunnah that we make things easy and by following it, we show that we love him.

I know I have to make a choice– Show my love for him by making my dealings with others simple and easy OR; I could choose to become the crinkled-cut fries-man!

Let me tell you a secret- with my number of young years I am at right now, I would avoid the word crinkle at any cost!

That’s my choice, what are yours my friends? Care to share them with me? :))

Sis Zabrina

Copyright (c) Sis Zabrina 2007

~Your Source for Islamic Motivational and Inspirational Stories~

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Comments

Anonymous said…
As Salaamu Alaykum,
Wow sis, dealing with that man would be one of the hardest tests Allah would trie a person with. I mean, how hard it would be for me not smack him, and ask him whats the big deal.Just eat the fries, you won't turn green, but I have to remember anger is bad.
Sis, I notice with ladies who talk a lot about others, they make things seem bigger than they are. For example, one lady might say "Oh the way she put the cup on the table, she slammed it to show that she hates me, so I had to fight her."
Or
"Oh! did you hear what happened,the girl talked back to her mother, she probably has a boyfriend."
But honestly, over french fries, give me a break.
Salaam my good sister in Islam,
Young Reader (Relief)
P.S first to comment again Al Hamdulilah
Sis Zabrina said…
Bismillaah

As Salaamu 'alaykum and peace to all,

My dearest sis Relief,

LOL. Wow, you would smack him right there, wont you? Yeah, you are right though, its best that we exercise patience,its sweeter and allows us to get His reward.

Focusing on petty things are always one of the problem faced by many of us. Many times i have to remind myself to look at the bigger picture, stop giving attention to small and trivial matters. Its a constant battle between me and His sworn enemy. And i pray to Allaah to give me strength to fight this bad bad attitude. And i pray the same for you too sweety...

Hugs
Sis Zabrina
Anonymous said…
Salam sis,
well, different people has different view and taste. but the best people are the ones that always receive things with gratitude to Allah. Alhamdullillah. Allah made everything for us. Truly, patient is the sign of a true believer.
Sis Zabrina said…
Bismillaah

As Salaamu 'alaykum and peace to all,

Dear Sis Zenoni *hugs*

You are absolutely right in all counts! We are all made differently and that is the beauty of it all. I wrote about differences we have in my book under the Story of Fred and Mable. Differences between us are something we all must treasure, it makes the world more colorful, it makes life more interesting! And we are taught to accept differences with grace and tolerance too.

Having said that, i believe that we must also understand ourselves not to be caught up with pettiness in things that we deal daily. It tires us, really. It drains our energy unnecessarily, and that, for me, are not worth the effort. I would rather get tired from working hard than getting upset over some fries design :)) But, well, thats just me, and like you rightly said earlier, we are all of different taste and preferences but the best people are the ones who say their gratitude to Allaah. So, let us all be the best of people and start saying Alhamdulillaah for all His Blessings to us.

Take care sweetum and hope to see you again here, inshaAllaah!

Hugs
zen non said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said…
hug hug too, hihi..just kidding

I have a blog too, just completed editing with all the details though. n i have make a link to your site. coz u'r site inspired me to have my own. please have a visit.
me myself and i said…
Assalamualaikum,
Zabrina,this story reminds me not to sulk over tiny miny little thing that oftenly stresses not only me but people around me too!
At times when I turned to be fussy for things that are not-life-threatening-matters, :-) my husband would easily cool me off by saying "easy honey,it wont kill anybody", strucking my head for over-acting and exaggerating.

Yes, its undeniably that we cannot compromise in the matters of life or death, but we must bear in mind that imperfection is inevitable excluding none of us.

I agree with Relief that those who is over-conscious of others would easily have headache!Maybe we should most of the time 'mind and run our business'..?
Anonymous said…
I stopped eating fries for my health since I am in my "crinkle" years lol, but it is true the the small things in life take on too great an importance. A sign of being spoiled or arrogant, perhaps, but who are we to judge another?

Allah knows the truth and is the only judge.

Ya Haqq!
Sis Zabrina said…
Bismilaah

As Salaamu 'alaykum and peace to all,

Brother Zenoni, firstly i apologize as i addressed you as sis earlier on. Sorry about that. I visited your blog and MashaAllah you do have a flair in writing. Keep on writing and inshaAllaah, i pray that you will be very successful in this new venture!Salaam

Take care,
Sis Zabrina
Sis Zabrina said…
Bismillaah

As Salaamu 'alaykum and peace to all,

You are spot on. As we go thru our daily routine, we can sometimes get irritable by small things that actually holds not much significant in our lives.

And your hd has given such wise advice, relax...it wont kill you! LOL. I think i might just use that line too whenever i start to become petty...

Take care sweety, and lets lead a stress-free life, inshaAllaah! Goodbye petty-thinking and hello big pictures!

Hugs
Sis Zabrina
Sis Zabrina said…
Bismillaah

As Salaamu 'alaykum and peace to all,

You are right, brother! Who are we to judge. That is really a wonderful reminder. Despite what we think (of the person being petty) maybe, just maybe, he has a good reason to react that way! SubhanAllaah.

Just like what Prophet SAW has told us, always always think good of others until he proves otherwise. Give the benefit of the doubt. :))

Now, thats another new story to write about! Thanks again brother for sharing your thoughts.

Salaam
Sis Zabrina
p/s you are on your crinkle years too? wonder how many of us here has got 'straight-cut fries'? :))
My dear sis Zabrina,
For me being patience, moderate and humble are the best things to practice in order to avoid hot-tempered or angry for nothing. Yes, we always want that everything we wish become true and perfect but we sometimes forget that we too do not serve others perfectly. Just accept the small mistkes made by others aand always remember that none others is perfect EXCEPT Allah swt.

I've just finished reading your book and nothing to say, just BRAVO!!!, YOU'VE DONE IT! i LOVE YOUR IDEAS VERY MUCH!
Sis Zabrina said…
Bismillaah

As Salaamu 'alaykum and peace to all,

JazakAllaah Putera Puteri cg for such wonderful remark about my book. Alhamdulillaah, everything that is good is from Allaah.

I agree with what you said, being graceful in accepting other's mistakes is really something important. I quoted Ahmad Zarruq in my book on this matter too. We are all human, we do have our own share of mistakes. Therefore, as how we accept and have patience with others, we hope that others have patience with us, too.

I do hope to see you again here soon! Take care!:))

Sis Zabrina
bluewonder said…
Salam,

Being petty is certainly something that we can do without. It just gives us heartaches and headaches!! And who needs that.
Anonymous said…
Salaam Sis'

Just when I spent the whole Sunday and Monday morning worrying, I just clicked on your blog link - I added it to my blog long time back, I guess I got hold of it from Islamonline.net.

Definitely gave me a better feeling. I haven't got to explore your blog much, but I am sure there are many more things to learn from it. InshahAllah will keep reading!
Sis Zabrina said…
Bismillaah

As Salaamu 'alaykum and peace to all,

Dearest Sis Bluewonder *hugs*,

LOL. You sounded so cute sis. Yes, at times having to maintain our appearances according to standards set by others can be very taxing. I totally get you!

Hugs
Sis Zabrina
Sis Zabrina said…
Bismillaah

As Salaamu 'alaykum and peace to all,

JazakAllaah zarafshan! InshaAllaah, i pray that my stories are able to make you feel better, inshaAllaah and Ameen. Keep reading!

Hugs
Sis Zabrina
Sis Zabrina said…
Bismillaah

As Salaamu 'alaykum and peace to all,

Thanks for sharing Adam. I read the first few paras and it sure caught my attention!

Ramadhan Mubarak! Salaam

Sis Zabrina
Anonymous said…
I like reading through an article that will make people think.
Also, thank you for allowing for me to comment!
Anonymous said…
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up!