What does the carrot Felix discovers in his soup come to symbolize in the novel, Once?

When Felix first finds this carrot in his bowl of soup at the orphanage, he first believes it is a sign that his parents are coming for him. Mother Minka has to tell Felix the carrot is not a sign from his parents, Sister Elwira put it there because she felt sorry for him. She wanted to show him some kindness.

Later, when Zelda is sick, Felix stays out searching apartments even after he finds aspirin in hopes that he can find a carrot. Felix believes that if a soup is made out of this carrot and given to Zelda, that it will heal her.

Over the course of the novel, the carrot comes to serve as a symbol of both kindness and healing.