The parable of the sacred cow

Dear True,

There was once a lakeside community of people who owned a wonderful cow. The cow could sing, dance, cure the sick, and do all sorts of unusual things. People came from all around to see the cow. People worked together, celebrated together, and enjoyed their community. No one locked their doors, and people in trouble could always turn to their neighbors.

This cow was kept in a special pen near the center of town and both the cow and the pen were cared for carefully. Economic pressures slowly began to overtake the town, as their infrastructure began to deteriorate and more and more people moved into the area to see the cow. One day someone suggested that people be allowed to come and see the cow by boat, so that more people could come and enjoy it. Others wondered if maybe some improvements to the pen or more and better lodging in the town wouldn’t make the cow more attractive. Some thought enabling people to travel by bicycle to see the cow would improve things. Some wanted to ride their 4 wheel vehicle to look at this amazing animal.

For many years issues like this were discussed by everyone in the community sitting down together and coming to a decision that all could agree to. This time however, some people said that they had come to this community because of the cow, and that no changes of any kind would be welcome. Others claimed that they had considered the issue and that only their solution would work. Finally someone said that anyone who disagreed with them was a fool and incompetent and that if they didn’t like their idea they should move away.

For the first time, people wouldn’t talk to their neighbors who disagreed with them. People were asked to take sides against those who had other ideas. Someone suggested that the cow be sold and the money used to save the town. People became convinced of the righteousness of their cause to the exclusion of any compromise. People had to remember who they disagreed with on which issue so they knew who they shouldn’t talk to. There was much discussion, arguing, and acrimony, both about the cow and toward people who didn’t agree.

Eventually, some young families left the community. Then some of the people who had been in the town for many years moved away. Many felt that the cow wasn’t worth all of the trouble it had brought to the town. Some of the businesses left and finally, doors were locked, and people didn’t speak to each other any more.

The “large” pen, the “poor” planning, and the “unbridled” development had been stopped. The sacred cow had been preserved. Some people were very happy.

Jim Shinners