A PARABLE
Once upon a time there was a farmer who had a silage feeder. All kinds of cattle would come to the feeder; happy little heifer calves; and big bad bulls alike . The farmer only filled the feeder four times a year, but when he did, the cattle gathered around, little and big alike. It didn’t take long until the feeder was empty; but it would stay empty until the right number of months had passed.
After some years the farmer noticed that the little heifers would scrounge around the feeder hungrily in between feedings, hopeful that a few grains remained. So the farmer decided to fill the feeder at the beginning of every month. The cattle herded around it, little and big alike. The little heifers ate happily, but the big bad bulls began to stomp and snort and snort and stomp. “We don’t need to be fed so often” they complained. Since they were bigger--and thought that they were stronger--they felt they could fend for themselves between feedings. So the big bad bulls didn’t feed quite as often as the little heifers; but it still didn’t take long until the feeder was empty. The feeder would stay empty until the right number of weeks had passed.
The farmer noticed that still the little heifers would scrounge around the feeder hungrily in between feedings, hoping that a few grains remained. So the farmer decided to fill the feeder twice each month. The little heifers herded around and ate happily, but the big bad bulls stomped and snorted and snorted and stomped all the louder.“We don’t need to be fed so often” they complained, “and, what’s more, we don’t think that you need to be fed so often either”. The little heifers were puzzled. They were feeling better, and stronger, and healthier. How could this feed be so bad for them? And why were the big bad bulls becoming louder and more vicious? They weren’t eating the feed that they snorted was bad any more frequently--in fact, some were eating less than before. But the little heifers still fed well, and it didn’t take long until the feeder was empty. The feeder would stay empty until exactly two weeks had passed.
After some years the farmer noticed that the little heifers would scrounge around the feeder hungrily in between feedings, hopeful that a few grains remained. So the farmer decided to fill the feeder at the beginning of every week. The little heifers herded around and ate happily, but the big bad bulls were enraged and stomped and snorted and snorted and stomped louder than ever before.“We don’t need to be fed so often” they complained, “and, what’s more, we don’t think that you need to be fed so often either. What’s good enough for us should be good enough for you”.
The little heifers were afraid of the big bad bulls, but knew that the farmer would continue to provide for them. But one day as the farmer was filling the feeder, the big bad bulls rushed at him and began butting their heads against him and jabbing their horns at him. The little heifers watched, helplessly, and very confused. They couldn’t understand what was going on. The farmer had fed them well, and they were stronger and healthier than ever before. Their feed was good. The farmer was their friend, he was doing what was good for them. Why were the big bad bulls so vicious?
“We are content” said one of the little heifers. “We don’t have to fend for ourselves anymore between feedings. Our needs are provided and we are healthier and happier than ever before. We aren’t making the bulls eat the feed--nobody is forcing them. Why do they want to take it away from us--and make us go hungry? Maybe the bulls have been fending for themselves too much for too long. Maybe they can’t accept being cared for by another. Maybe that is why they are trying to be rid of the caregiving householder. Maybe that’s what has made them big and bad”
“Maybe” said another, “they’ve stayed away from the manger too long”
