The Bridge: a Parable by 3 Once upon a time, two men gazed upon a bridge. The bridge, like all bridges, had been built to serve a purpose: to get from one side of a dangerous river to the other. The bridge had been built before engineering and construction equipment -- the stones thrown and set in the old way. During its long life, it had served well enough. But now the bridge was old: water had eroded the foundation, the pilings were afflicted with rot and worms, the span sagging. There were gaping holes in the bridge, and unscrupulous men had taken to charging the wayfarers for passage. Both men had crossed the bridge many times, and both had been injured when a stone fell, or a crossbeam snapped. But crossing the bridge was a needful thing. So both men had continued crossing, despite the grave risk of harm. These two men were quite fortunate, however, for the bridge had grown accustom to casting random wayfarers into the abyss below, or dropping beams with murderous intent on those who dared the crossing. We must destroy the bridge, said one man, with utter surety and conviction. He looked to the other man for agreement, but to his dismay, he found none. If we destroy the bridge, said the second man, then neither we, nor our children, nor our childrens children shall be able to cross. For that is the purpose of the bridge. To cross. It is through no fault of the bridge that it now decays and endangers. It is our fault, and our fathers fault, and our fathers fathers fault. This bridge was built in the old way, and requires the old ways to maintain it. Our forefathers forgot this, and they never taught us the needs of the bridge. We saw it as simply a tool, a thing, something made for our convenience. But the truth is the bridge serves a need. Without the bridge, the crossing is all the more perilous. So much so that the crossing may well be impossible for many. Destruction is easy. Any fool can destroy. But few fools can build a serviceable bridge, let alone a better one. You are a fool! cried the first man, his voice filled with scorn, the bridge is a danger to all who seek to cross! It must be destroyed. The first man, filled with wrath, went to find others who shared his view. And a few were found, for always are their men whose solution is destruction. But there were more who needed the bridge because they needed the crossing, and so their bright, hard dream of destruction was thwarted. The second man gazed sadly after the first for a time. Then he sighed and set to work shoring up one small part of the bridge. Others saw his action, and while many simply passed by, a few thought, This is a worthy action. I can do as this man does. And they too set about shoring up the bridge. But to each of these folk, the second man spoke, saying,Remember: this bridge was built in the old way. It shall not last forever. Only through constant repair and vigilant care will it withstand the relentless march of time. Do not forget we have new ways, and can build a better bridge: one that will endure far longer than this ancient bridge. It would be better if this happened sooner rather than later. As to the bridge and the men, I cannot tell you their fate: their story is yet undone. But each day the second man gazes as the first man crosses, cursing the bridge that he needs and vowing to destroy it. Then the second man shakes his head sadly and sets to work, doing what he can before crossing himself.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 08:45:24 +0000
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