A Parable

In a village there lived a man who enjoyed favor among the brethren round about him. And it came to pass that when, after the passage of time he turned 3 score in years and behold, he stepped on the scales and became vexed at the number that did display itself thereon, 200 talents. The man tore his garments, put on sackcloth and sat in ashes for a fortnight. After much time spent in weeping and gnashing of teeth the man besought many healers and diviners throughout the Kingdom but found no remedy for his affliction. 

And it came to pass that the man set forth on a regimen of eating only food which had not been defiled by sugar and other impurities common in the land of the Fatstines and the Cholesterolites. And lo, it came to pass that the man began to drink much water and exert great effort in the lifting and moving of stones. Soon the neighbors in the village began to see the man laboring vainly day after day pacing about in great haste upon every road and path throughout the town and great was the laboring therewith. There arose then a murmuring among the people saying, “Wherefore doth our brother so vainly toil in our streets? For behold it appeareth that he cometh near to death during his daily vexations.” Many of them began to beseech the authorities both in heaven and on earth because of his peculiar habits. Still, the man persisteth in his habits until lo, three months had passed. Once again he visiteth the scales upon which he had stepped before, hoping that a new number would appear. Great was his confidence in the righteousness of the course he had taken, when behold, indeed a new number did appear…201 talents. The man’s countenance fell and great was the fall of it.

The man then straightaway sat out to find an answer through great learning. He read both ancient parchments and the newest scrolls from learned men and women throughout the kingdom when Lo, out of the east there shown a great light. A vision appeared to him and he was sore afraid. But a voice was heard coming from the great light saying, “Why fighteth thou so against the number which appeareth on thy scale? Knoweth not that once thou turneth 3 score years, in vain wilt thou lift stones and hasten through the streets, and deny thyself savory food to eat and fine wine to drink? Be still and cease with thy useless toil, and turn your eyes upon the fatted calf.”

Then behold the man discerneth that the vision was of the devil and straightway rose to his feet and with a loud cry spake into the midst of the light, “get thee behind me, Satan!”

Verily, the man vowed to redouble his efforts thinking that perhaps if he cutteth out the noontime raisin cakes, the thrice again visitations to the bread and honey bowl at the evening meal he would yet triumph.

Hope springeth eternal.