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.