USELESS BOX

One of the developers has a box on his desk.

It's black, shiny, and about 6 inches by 3 inches, maybe around 2 inches tall. On the front, emblazoned in glittering gold lettering, are the words:

Useless Box

On the top is a small old-fashioned silver radio switch, marked either side with 'On' and 'Off'. It was set to 'Off'.

"Oh," I said, casually, "What, um, what does that do?"

"Why don't you find out?" he said, cryptically.

"Really?" I said.

"Yep. It's not dangerous or anything."

So I pushed it. I gently flicked the switch to 'On'.

The box whirred. A panel opened like the lid of a music box. Then a tiny arm popped out and pushed the switch back to 'Off'. The panel closed and the box fell silent.

'That really is a useless box,' I said. He laughed.

It wasn't until I got back to my desk, that it occurred to me that it might be some sort of metaphor.

I sighed and got on with my work.