Modern Parable of Humanity

I was recently told a modern day parable of our humanity: A reunion among the various tools in the carpenters workshop took place one day... The hammer began to exercise the presidency but the other tools told him he had to renounce the position. The cause: he made too much noise and spent all his time pounding others. He accepted his fault but added that the vice should also be excluded because he just goes round and round on a single point until he has you right where he wants you. In front of this attack, the vice also accepted but in his turn asked for the expulsion of the sandpaper ~ who was seen as being very abrasive in his relations and always causing friction. The sandpaper agreed but only on condition that the ruler also be denied the position because he was always passing judgment of others according to his measure, like it was the only perfect one.

Then, the carpenter entered and started working, using the hammer, vice, ruler and sandpaper. Finally, the piece of wood was converted into a chair. After the carpenter finished and left, the tools continued their discussion. It was the saw that spoke, " Gentleman, it is clear that we all have faults, but the carpenter works with our best qualities, this is what gives us value. So, let us not look at our flaws but concentrate on the value of our strengths".

The group then saw that the hammer was strong, that the vice united and strengthened, the sandpaper was special for refining and smoothing rough spots and the ruler was very exact and precise. They were able to synchronize these strengths to create quality furniture.

This parable is like our world, where we want to live without limits, where all is subject to the spirit of power, fame and egoism. There are many examples of competition that leads to division and confusion in daily life and makes us cold, envious, arrogant, aggressive, suspicious...

Everyone dreams of a world were all can understand each other despite our way of being and thinking ~ where we can live in communion and participation without renouncing our personal identity. This can only happen if someone can help us see with new eyes, those we encounter in this world. Someone who can help us see the beauty and positive aspects of the other who is different. Then we will not see others as a danger or a problem to our personal existence.