A small bag is filled with burdens (stones).  The bag is tied to a string.  On the other end of the string is a small wooden cross.  A regular table fork is shown and you explain that we stand at a "fork in the road" to decide what we'll do with our burdens.  The string is placed across the fork and the heavy burdens held in your hand.  When you decide to "let go" of the burdens, the wooden cross quickly spins around the fork and keeps them from crashing to the floor.