"After some reflection, I realized that receiving a fortune cookie is just an added bonus. Most restaurants don't offer free desserts, but this one does. I would have been perfectly fine if I hadn't had such high expectations for a complimentary cookie. It's a bit like the kids who believe in Santa Claus; when they find out he's not real, the disappointment is so much greater because they had been led to expect magic.
From my own experience, I know that being overly hopeful can lead to feeling let down. If they had never been told about Santa, there would be no disappointment. They'd probably even end up appreciating their gifts more.
So, instead of expecting a fortune cookie every time I visit, I’ll try to be pleasantly surprised when I do get one. In any case, the meal I paid for was so delicious that it made me forget all about the complimentary dessert I missed out on."
