The Parable of the Village Child - Part III

PART III
But it was too late for these villagers. Never again would the master entrust a special child to them. Never would the people be known for their success, because they had not been successful. They had failed. Now they would always be remembered as the village that let the chosen child die from neglect.
Forever after, although many of the villagers were known for how well they took care of one another, none would ever again forget that they had failed their master. Although he loved them, no longer would the villagers believe that it was a love that was deserved. Forever after the villagers worked hard to try to gain the respect they once had for themselves and for another.
Each villager carried a deep and scarring wound within their heart. A scar branded every heart with the knowledge that they had had something precious that could never be regained. The scar reminded them of their own personal shortcomings. The scar would never go away.
And with this eternal scar, each villager vowed that they would never allow such a thing to happen again. Each time a belly growled, food and drink gave sustenance. Each time a knee was scraped, at least one loving kiss and treatment was given. Each time a cry was heard, every head turned, every eye looked, every hand touched.
With this constant care and enduring accountability, the village truly grew into a humble and diligent people. Out of great and intense pain, joy and peacefulness blossomed. The village was now truly one, unified in purpose and heart.
Although the master had no other child to entrust to the villagers, he knew they forever more carried the child in their hearts.
The end.

Parable of the Village Child - Part II

PART II
The villagers were astounded. Who could have done such a terrible thing? How could this child, who had so much potential, lose all of its vitality so quickly? Weren’t there four doctors in town? The whole village was a caring community and everyone was prosperous. How? How could this be?
It must have been a terrible illness, a sudden disaster, or the will of fate! Soon villagers began pointing fingers and blaming one another. What was once a happy and peaceful village was now a fractious and bitter place. Communication was rare, and when words were spoken they were filled with suspicion, blame, and distrust.
What had happened to this lovely abode? Everyone who was once happy was now bitter, sullen, and hateful. Friends were now enemies.
After having grieved for his lost child, the master called the villagers together. He asked the villagers who was to blame for the child’s death. Every single villager pointed his or her finger at another. The master asked the villagers to look around them.
The villagers soon noticed that everyone had a finger pointing at them. Cries of outrage flew out. Everyone knew that they were excused from blame because their cause had been justified.
That master then asked the villagers who had the responsibility for the care of this child. Every single villager pointed his or finger at another. The master asked the villagers to look around them.
The villagers soon noticed that everyone had a finger pointing at them. This time the cries were silenced. Everyone knew that the finger pointers were right. Everyone had been given the responsibility for the child’s care. Heads hung in shame as they realized that they had been responsible for the child’s death.
The first doctor knew he had been selfish and self serving. The second doctor knew that he had been uncaring. The third doctor now understood he had been irresponsible in managing his schedule well. The fourth doctor realized that she had just been plain lazy.
The mother knew she could have opened up her heart a little more. The brother knew he been mean. The sister realized she could have gone to someone and asked for help. The father now understood that the child had also been his important business.

Parable of the Village Child - Part I

Here is a story that blossomed out of frustration for failure to work as a team. A miserable experience that I hope I can rectify by not allowing it to happen on my watch.

PARABLE OF THE VILLAGE CHILD


There once was a village that was selected by the master to raise a special child. They were chosen because they were good people. They were talented, smart, and beautiful.
This child was strong and healthy and everyone knew it had great potential.
The villagers knew that the child could be entrusted to everyone else, so they did not worry when the child cried. There were four village doctors, so surely one of the others would check in on him. The first doctor had other patients that paid more, so the others could help. The second doctor had missed breakfast that morning and was just now able to grab a bite to eat. Surely, the other doctors could look into the child’s needs. The third doctor was up late, so he slept in and didn’t even realize the child was crying. The fourth doctor had a tickle in her throat and so figured she ought not to see the child when she might be coming down with something.
A mother passed the child as she was on her way home from work. She felt sorry for him and wiped away his tears and cooed at him for a moment before she felt the pull of her own family’s needs and she left, knowing someone else could fill his needs. A brother passed, giving the child a dirty look for being so annoying and crying so much. A sister looked in on the child and determined she didn’t have the skills necessary to help calm the baby. But that was okay because there were plenty of mothers around that would take care of the child. A father passed by and got frustrated that there was no one around to help so he went along his way, intending to find someone to help, but he got distracted by an important business call he needed to attend to.
The busy villagers soon grew irritated by the child’s constant complaining. The child slowly became ugly, gangly, and stupid. The villagers began hating this willful child, constantly annoying everyone with its needs and wants.
One day the child was silent. At first there was just relief in the air. As the mother passed by she was glad to see it had fallen asleep. The brother passed by and stuck his tongue out at the child. The sister poked him and wondered why he was cold. The father passed by without looking at him.
The doctors were all relieved that the other doctors must have taken care of the child since they could no long hear the constant crying.
When the master came finally to check on the child, the villagers were shocked at the sudden outburst of wrath! What could cause such fury in one they loved so much? They all ran to the master to find him holding the child in his arms, tears streaming down his face. The child was dead.