a person holds an ice cube, and doesn't want it to melt, though it must.

he blows on it to cool it down, but even his breath is too warm. the process of evaporation, and his knowledge of this interaction, slows the melting some, but all the while he holds it, and his nature destroys the ice cube's.

it starts to hurt. his hand gets cold, his peripheral being is wounded. but how can he let go?

in a while the ice cube is gone, forgotten. its puddle evaporates and can no longer even be consumed.