Big O

I read a wonderful passage in the Sunday Morning Post about words of advice from American author Shel Silverstein: the best relationships do not complete us but let us grow and become more fully ourselves.

My daughter is a big fan of Shel Silverstein, the celebrated author of The Missing Piece Meets the Big O.

This is how I've arrived at new understanding of the short story. Think of the main character "Missing Piece" in the way we see a slice of pizza. This lonely little wedge feels a deep sense of readiness for his long-awaited love. He longs for a "perfect partner" to make it a romantic and complete circle.

But, as we all know, love doesn't arrive just because we want it to. The Missing Piece wakes up one morning after another, meeting one shape after another, none of which matching his. Not a right fit.

One fine day, the Missing Piece wanders over to meet a shape that introduces itself as the Big O. The Missing Piece falls head over heels for the Big O, very much keen to roll with it. In lieu of saying "I do," the Big O tells the Missing Piece to roll by himself.

"By myself? A missing piece cannot roll by itself"

"Have you ever tried?" asked the Big O.

The more the Missing Piece thinks about it, the more he thinks of the impasse. An odd shape isn't designed for rolling, after all. The Big O keeps encouraging and tries saying those sharp corners will eventually wear off once the Missing Piece starts rolling.

At first much of the rolling sounds like flopping forward over and over. Then the Missing Piece starts to notice a change in shape, with the sharp edges wearing off.

With time, the Missing Piece becomes a well-rounded circle rolling perfectly, soon joined by the Big O. The pair roll alongside each other thereafter.

Which brings back the moral of Silverstein's story: true love isn't about completing each other but complementing and nurturing each other independently to become the best couple.

Quite right.