The Parables of the Gift and the Symphony

A parable is a short story, drawn from everyday life, that teaches a truth or a moral principal. It was Jesus' favorite teaching technique. A year ago I gave an assignment to my students to compose their own parable.  They, in turn, challenged me to write one.  I didn't at that time, but I guess perhaps the circumstances of life sometimes motivate and inspire. So here are two parables that I have just recently written: the Parable of the Gift and the Parable of the Symphony.  

And the great teacher said: "Once there was a gift-giver. The gift-giver had a special gift to offer. He planned it, perfected it, and gave it to those he loved. But the wrapping was tattered . . . the bow crushed, the paper torn. Those to whom he gave the gift cried, 'Outrage! How could you? The bow is crushed and the paper is torn! This is unacceptable!!!' And so, they rejected the gift of the gift-giver, never seeing its worth; never appreciating the love and the courage of the gift-giver, focusing only on the way it was wrapped. And the gift-giver cried, not so much that his gift was rejected, but because he would never offer the gift again. Those that have eyes ought to see."

And then the great teacher said, "Here is another parable, similar to the first: Once there was a composer of song who created a magnificent symphony. The refrains were lilting, the music soared, the melody stirred and moved both the heart and the soul. But in the magnificent symphony he included one chord that was dissonant. Those that heard the symphony smiled, nodded and applauded until that one dissonant chord was played. They covered their ears, rose to their feet and shouted, 'Offensive! How could you have written this! It is unpleasing to our ears!!!' And they left the music hall, forgetting the beauty of the symphony, choosing to remember only the one dissonant chord. And the composer of song cried, for his magnificent symphony would never again be heard. He who has ears ought to hear."