The Tale of the Floppy-Eared Rabbits
A Serendipity Story
Serendipity Stories bring the practice of serendipity to life in real-world examples.
In 1951, two scientists working in different laboratories made the same strange observation: when they injected rabbits with a particular enzyme called papain, the rabbits’ ears would flop down like a cocker spaniel’s.
At the time, both scientists were actively seeking answers about how enzymes affect the body, though for very different reasons. Dr. Thomas was investigating whether enzymes played a role in heart and blood vessel damage, while Dr. Kellner was studying muscle tissue. Neither of them was looking for anything to do with rabbits. The floppy ears were an unexpected result—the scientific equivalent of finding a $20 bill on the ground while searching for your lost keys.
Dr. Kellner did what many of us might do when we encounter something outside our immediate goals—he stayed focused on his original path. He noted the observation and even found a practical use for it as a way to test papain strength, but he never connected it to broader possibilities.
Dr. Thomas approached his encounter differently. While he didn’t immediately dive into studying the cause of the floppy ears, he remained open to their potential significance. Years later, when he encountered the phenomenon again, he chose to share it with his medical students. It was through this act of teaching, of openly exploring this curious observation, that he began to connect the dots.
With further discussion and investigation, what seemed like just a strange side effect became a window into how enzymes affect cartilage and connective tissue. Researchers discovered that papain also attacked cartilage in bones and joints in the rabbits, preventing its repair. This experiment led to the identification of the endogenous proteases that cause tissue destruction in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. By understanding the mechanism of action for this kind of damage, medical researchers were able to look at cartilage in a completely new way—and begin working on more effective treatments to heal it.
Dr. Thomas’s willingness to share and explore the unexpected, to let his curiosity guide him toward new connections, and then to actively investigate those connections opened doors Dr. Kellner never even saw. Serendipity isn’t just something that happens to us—it’s something we must actively cultivate through openness, curiosity, and the willingness to act on unexpected occurrences and connections. It’s why one scientist can create enormous value while another lets the opportunity slip away.
Cultivating Your Own Serendipity
The rabbit ear discovery offers us a practical framework for recognizing and acting on serendipity in our own lives. Here are three key practices to develop:
Notice the "Floppy Ears" Around You - Start paying attention to the unexpected observations, conversations, and encounters that happen outside your main focus. That comment from a colleague in a different department, the book recommendation that seems unrelated to your work, the pattern you notice while doing something routine - these are your "floppy ears." Keep a simple log of these moments, even if they seem irrelevant at first.
Share Your Curiosities - Dr. Thomas's breakthrough came through teaching, through the act of sharing something puzzling with others. Make it a habit to mention your interesting observations to friends, colleagues, or mentors. Ask questions about the unexpected things you notice. Often, the act of articulating something curious to another person helps you see new connections you wouldn't have discovered alone.
Give Yourself Permission to Explore - When something captures your attention unexpectedly, resist the urge to immediately dismiss it as "not my problem" or "outside my expertise." Instead, ask yourself: "What if I spent just 30 minutes exploring this?" or "Who might find this interesting?" Sometimes the most significant discoveries come from following threads that seem to lead away from our planned path.
The difference between Dr. Kellner and Dr. Thomas wasn't luck - it was approach. Serendipity rewards the prepared mind that remains open to the new, curious about the unexpected, and willing to act on interesting possibilities. Your next breakthrough might be hiding in something as seemingly irrelevant as floppy rabbit ears.
Learn how you can bring it into your own life and practice at practiceofserendipity.com.