A Good Egg

Rachel Faith's powerful story "A Good Egg" takes us on a journey that shatters expectations and reveals the transformative potential of conscious awareness. This story leaves you asking, what happens when gratitude meets mindfulness in a relationship teetering on destruction? 

We meet Sasha, trapped in a cycle of abuse with her partner Alex. The tension is palpable from the first moment—a kicked cleaning bucket, harsh words, and the weight of ongoing mistreatment evident in Sasha's apologetic response. When she spots a small wooden temple offering meditation classes, something shifts. Despite her fear and uncertainty, Sasha begins attending weekly meditation sessions in secret, telling Alex she's working extra shifts.

The narrative beautifully captures the awkward beginnings of a meditation practice. Sasha's wandering thoughts, her uncertainty about whether she's "doing it right," and her gradual discovery of the space between breaths feel authentic and relatable. As weeks pass, the practice begins changing her—physically through her walks to class, but more importantly, internally through the affirmation "I am loving, I am kind, I accept without judgment."

When Sasha starts applying genuine gratitude to her interactions with Alex, something remarkable happens. The relationship begins transforming as both partners learn to express appreciation for each other. But just when you think you understand where this story is heading, a Christmas morning revelation changes everything. The final twist challenges our assumptions about domestic abuse, delivering a profound reminder that transformation is possible even in the most unexpected circumstances.

Have you experienced how mindfulness can change your relationships? Share your story and join us for more thought-provoking narratives that explore the human condition through the power of storytelling.

This story is also available on the Edition 1 of Voice Within: a storybook by storytellers.

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Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction and Welcome
• 1:34 A Tense Beginning
• 4:14 Discovering Meditation
• 7:34 First Meditation Experience
• 9:45 The Power of Gratitude
• 11:52 The Surprising Revelation

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:01

Ah, if you're here, this is wonderful news because it means you're here to support the authors, the storytellers and the writers that have entrusted us to share their tales through this platform. Thank you, thank you for your support, thank you for supporting this art form, and I look forward to sharing many more tales with you. So, cup of tea in hand and a couple of biggies too, enjoy the love of a good story. Welcome back to Voice Within. I'm honoured and have been given the permission by Rachel Faith to narrate this short story for you today, called A Good Egg effect or the power better yet of mindfulness and how it is reflected back to us in our world, in our everyday world, with clarity and perhaps a new perspective which changes the world and how the world reacts with us. And there's a bit of a plot twist at the end, which I wasn't really expecting. But please stay tuned, get that cup of tea in hand and enjoy this next story by Rachel Faith. A Good Egg by Rachel Faith.

Speaker 1: 1:42

Alex kicked my bucket and bleach bottle across the lounge room. The bucket smashed into the wall as something inside me broke. Sasha, pick up that crap. Goddammit, leaving your stuff lying around for me to trip over. How many times do I have to tell you Useless, flaming useless. Alex went out on compost six months previous and things had worsened. I raced over to the debris. I should have known better. I'm really stupid for leaving my stuff lying around. I know better next time, sorry.

Speaker 1: 2:19

I moved quickly, despite the extra 10 kilos that I slapped on in the previous month. I wasn't afraid things would get worse. Alex knew when to hit and not to. I had a double shift and couldn't work with fresh injuries. I made us scrambled eggs and a coffee before heading off. Still shaky inside and out, I stopped at Bunnings to buy a new bucket as a cool autumn breeze brushed my cheek. If only there was a shop for new bones.

Speaker 1: 2:48

A couple of hours later I finished cleaning the arts hall and locked up. On the notice board I read a poster Come and celebrate the amazing women in our world community. It advertised a dinner with guest speakers to collect donations for women's refuge. My breakfast churned in my stomach, re-scambling as a sense of shame snuck on me. If only things were different. If only I could help to make Alex feel better. As I picked up my gear, my shoulder pinched. I should have known not to answer the phone during the news. Damn salespeople.

Speaker 1: 3:27

I headed for my Camry, loading the boot. Before I slid into the seat my belly hugged the wheel as guilt set in. I spotted a small wooden temple across the road with a sign on the lawn Meditation, thursdays 5pm. A pathway to peace. I wonder what it would be like to meditate. I wonder if it really does make you peaceful, god, what's that?

Speaker 1: 3:53

I was startled by a rapping on my window. Hey, is that you, sasha? I wound the window down. Hello, michelle.

Speaker 1: 4:03

Michelle plonked her bucket and mop on the tarmac as an inch of grey regrowth peeked out from beneath orange curls. Hey, did you get the email about the pay rise? She asked through something gummy in her mouth. I did. Good news. Old Shano must have hit it big time. I might surprise me. Hubby, you don't need to know about the extra dosh. I'm thinking of doing a Shirley Valentine and peeing off to Greece. Don't worry, sasha, I'll leave him some fish and chips in the oven. Michelle cuckled out loud. That certainly would surprise him. Anyway, I better move on Next. Stop the town loos. Last week I had to move a hobo out before I could clean Makes. You wonder how a person ends up like that now, don't you? Oh sure does.

Speaker 1: 4:56

I turned my attention back to the temple, noticing a tiny blue bird had landed upon the spire. Two men in robes chatted at the entrance beside the ordinarily scripted doors, then bowed their heads as an elderly man walked between them. I squeezed the steering wheel tight, trying to extract some sense from it. See you, thursday. One of the monks called out to the man and then the other man waved at him. I unconsciously waved back. I'll blow it. I'm sick of feeling sick to my stomach most of the time with this stretch. I've had enough. I started the engine. See you, thursday. I whispered. As soon as I walked in the front door, I coughed a smack to the face. You're late. Alex slammed the back door to head for the shed. As I pressed the cool pack to my cheek, I barely noticed the pain because I, for the first time in years, was looking forward to something. As I walked up the temple stairs, little prickles played over my insides. Oh God, I haven't meditated a single second in my life and they're going to know it.

Speaker 1: 6:09

The monks beamed at me, welcoming me in. A dozen people sat cross-legged on cushions, a few on chairs and some little wooden stools. One of the monks directed me to a chair with thick padding. There were candles placed all around us and some woody incense billowed up into the wooden beams above. One monk sat on the floor out the front, crossed his legs and spoke as though soothing a sick kitten. Close your eyes, listen to the music of the Tibetan bells and focus on your natural breath. Bells and focus on your natural breath. Now no movement. He'd led us in a full body relaxation.

Speaker 1: 6:56

Then, a couple of minutes passed by in silence. I couldn't stop peeking around the room to see how everyone else was going. Everyone was so still repeat, repeat in your mind I am loving, I am kind, I accept without judgment. Then we were guided to listen to the silence within. I wonder if everyone else can hear the silence within. I wonder where they get this unusual incense. Where would these monks do their training? Are those stools really comfortable?

Speaker 1: 7:34

The monks suggest that if we were distracted by mind chatter, to focus on the space between each breath. What space is he talking about? The space of silence between the in-breath and the out-breath? Did I just say that out loud? Can you read my mind? I squirmed around in my seat on the edge of a hot flush. Goodness, I better try this breathing thing. The space between the breath, the space between the breath. I tried it to sit still. Oh yeah, there it is. I took in another deep breath. The space between the breath. Oh, there it is again. Now I've got it. Now no more mind chatter. The monk looked straight at me, hazel eyes, kind but serious. Oh boy, I'd better be quiet. After meditation we listened to a talk by the older man about compassion and unconditional love. I've never heard anyone go on about love so much in all my life. At the close of the session I thanked the monks, letting them know I'd be back. I continued my meditation class secretly until winter slipped free of which springs embrace.

Speaker 1: 8:55

Alex thought I was working on Thursday evenings, with the pay rise covering my tracks. Mid-september, alex and I sat down to breakfast. Alex had cooked eggs and they were delicious. Alex rarely cooked anything, and especially nothing different, preferring routine and predictability. Didn't I know it? Yum, that's a good egg, a really good egg. I said Yum, that's a good egg, a really good egg. I said I've never had a poached egg before. I noticed a glimmer in Alex's eye and straightening of the back, so I pressed on. I've never had such delicious eggs before. Thank you, that spark again.

Speaker 1: 9:37

I recalled one of the monks talking about the power of genuine gratitude. Wow, maybe this is what he was talking about. I racked my brain for something else nice to say. About a minute went by. This is going to be a little bit more difficult than I thought. I looked out the window for some inspiration. That's it. It looks nice what you've done to the lawns, alex. Again a nod plus the stirring of a smile. I mowed yes, it looks so fresh and neat. Our eyes met as Alex smiled. I returned the gesture and ran a hand over my belly less full of fat, leaner. I'd been power walking five blocks to meditation class and back every week. The results were clear. There it is again, that glimmer.

Speaker 1: 10:26

I realized something in that moment, something that would change the way I related to Alex forever. I resolved to give thanks whenever I could. Sure it would get easier the more I practiced. Within weeks Alex was saying thank you too and seemed more relaxed. One unsuspecting morning I received a compliment that pig looks plump enough for Christmas dinner Must be all the corn you're giving him. The words soothed me like a caress long lost as hope, snuggled in close as flame trees burst into red. Alex's moods improved and I continued my daily affirmation I am loving, I am kind, I accept without judgment.

Speaker 1: 11:19

One steamy summer's day, a week before Christmas, I confessed that I'd been meditating on Thursdays instead of working. Alex just nodded, then trudged off to the shed. Regret rose inside as the clatter of tools filled the air. On Christmas morning, after scoffing down some ripe plum pig, I opened my gifts the last surprise to this day, alex beamed With all this meditation you've been doing. Thought you might be able to use one of these stools by now. Hope it's comfortable. You made this for me. Thank you so much, alex. It's perfect. Alex, you are the love of my life. I'm looking forward to many more years together, filled with love and, of course, some very good eggs. Alex took my hand. You've been a patient and understanding husband. Sasha, you're the one who's the good egg. Thank you, alexandria. Thank you the end.