Only chance can be interpreted as a message. What happens by necessity, which is expected, which is repeated daily is silent. Only the coincidence makes a voice to us. We try to rely on it, as the gypsies rely on the figures in the coffee sludge at the bottom of the glass.
The excerpt emphasizes the significance of chance in our lives, suggesting that only unexpected events convey meaning. Daily occurrences, born out of necessity and routine, remain unspoken and lack impact. In contrast, coincidences have the power to engage us and evoke thoughts and feelings.
Kundera draws a parallel between the unpredictability of chance and the practices of fortunetellers, like gypsies who interpret coffee grounds. This analogy highlights how people seek interpretation and understanding from the random events that shape their lives, finding a narrative in what is otherwise silent and mundane.
