Here’s A Powerful Life Lesson I Learned In the Prison Kitchen

There is no greater joy in life than the joy of creating something.”
— ABHAY KUMAR

I get to the kitchen early.

I’m happy the other guys have not shown up yet. I have an idea: to try something, to do something for my friends. The stainless-steel table is set and I’m ready to begin.

I’ve got a box of oranges, the green plastic cutting board, a huge steel bowl, and a knife tethered to the table to prevent us from stealing it or killing one another. I have everything I need.

One by one, I cut the oranges in half, placing them on the cutting board. Perfectly lined up, five rows of eight. Starting at the top left, I take the first half in my hand, squeezing with all my might. The juice sprays everywhere, running over my fingers, eventually reaching the bowl. The smell of citrus overwhelms the stagnation of the kitchen.

The industrial prison fridge is colder than my refrigerator at home. My hand is numb after the tenth squeeze. I alternate from right to left until the last of the juice has been extracted.

Our utensils and tools in the kitchen are limited. I do my best to spoon the seeds out. It seems impossible to get them all. I’ve never seen so many seeds. I blame…