If plants had personalities, the bay leaf would be the type of person you’d want to hang out with. 

There is just an aura about them that makes the bay leaf friendly and relaxing.  They spend most of their time in a jar hanging out with each other; probably smoking a doobie, eating pizza and enjoying a few beers.  But they never complain, and they never go out of date. They have unrivalled patience, and when called upon they never fail to do their job.

They are unsung heroes to many dinners.  Everyone goes on about the chilli and coriander, or the salt that takes centre stage as to whether or not a dish is too bland.  But nobody ever takes a bite of a pasta and says “those two bay leaves did a wonderful job”.  

When Lionel Messi helped Argentina win the World Cup, everyone praised the players, but nobody praised the guy who cut the grass, or the kid in the factory who stitched together the football.  They are all bay leaves, and they are a vital ingredient not just to your favourite pasta, but to the entire planet.

So if you’re in a job where you wonder if you really make a difference, just remember that every successful potato, cabbage and grain of rice only ever succeeded because of the bay leaf.  Without you, the world would be bland and boring.