A Politician or a Parasite
A Simple Child’s Tale!
With elections on everyone’s mind this is a time we should think of what it is we expect of our representatives. They are after all human like you or me, filled with faults and prone to mistakes and sins. What do we want our country to be? What are we willing to do for our vision to become reality? Do we wash our hands of the matter leaving it to others and then decry the outcome? Our story could begin anywhere, so let us take a large office complex in the busy downtown city. In a conference room there is a heated meeting going on with several members of the local political party. The discussion ranged widely from how to be a successful MP, how to get the edge on the elections, the poor quality of leadership within the higher echelon, the lack of real motivation and drive, and the going through the motions type of member.
“Life is not simple these days,” said Robert Fuller, “you sometimes need to gain the upper hand through unfair means. Where would our party be if we did not put our personal ambition first, for that is where you get men with drive, those who have the cutting edge are those who are pushing to reach the top?”
“I agree,” Carl Bergen replied, “But I know from experience that there are many within this party who are not trustworthy. Each man it seems has his price and that is one of the reasons we have lost some of our promising young members and also I believe how some of our new campaigns have been leaked out to the opposition before we have even got them in full swing.”
“What has happened to the old values of loyalty and dedication and honesty,” said Colin MacKay, “the goal these days seems to be a race to see who gets the most money, it matters not that we try to change the infrastructure to help the needy, that does not seem to bother them, no, gone is the day of the old hard working reliable MP’s? Well it seems that these days it is just a dog eat dog every man for him self society and as long as it sells that is what should be pushed. Tear the others down is the slogan to elect on, destroy the opponents! It is as if we are so alike in our politics that the only way to get anyone to elect us is to tear down the credibility of the others.”
Old Harley seemed to nod in agreement, “People these days look out for number one and are only desirous of gaining a prestigious job or title and lots of money, there is no other motivation in life sad to say.”
“Look at the past three months, we have had a gap in our east end constituency,” added Ian Leslie, ”Everyone is so indifferent or tired or overloaded it seems no one wants to step in to a electorate of low class ner-do-wells, until it is time that is to find a delegate to go to the Inter-economical conferences in New York or Genève, why is this?”
“I’ll tell you why,” spoke up David Simpson, “every one wants someone else to do the work. Ask for someone to fill a vacancy that takes a lot of time and hard work and not much credit of showiness and all you get is a bunch of excuses.”
Mrs Evans who had not even been listening as usual suddenly piped up waving a sheet of paper in the air, “Did you see this, what a sorry group of people we have in the educational,” totally changing the subject under discussion, “and why these are important positions and ones of trust deserving the best – but these men are totally incapable so much so that I never voted for any of them.”
“Now that is interesting,” said Edward Cuthbertson with a slight smile on his lips, “because I happen to know that you were asked to run for this position and refused, why may I ask?”
“Why,” answered Mrs. Evans a little upset at the turn of events, “because I am far too busy! I have so much other responsibilities to take care of, that is why I had to refuse your request to join in the last economic and marketing conference as an advisor.”
“I see,” he replied slowly, “and what of you Ronny,” he said addressing his second in command, “I know from good sources you were asked to help in the Planning Meeting for European Strategy and the use of financial resources, a job you are most highly qualified to fill, yet again you refused, why?”
“Why, I haven’t a moment to myself these days and this would have required a lot of my time and energy I just couldn’t do it that’s why.”
Jim Smith smiled at this, he was as usual taking in everything and not speaking, for he always felt it best to hear all sides of a discussion and consider what needed to be done. Now he felt was a good time to speak. “Excuse me gentlemen and ladies, I have been sitting here listening to you all I was suddenly reminded of something I read to my son one night if you wouldn’t mind I would like to tell you.”
A look of disapproval at this idea of telling a children’s story came from one and all, yet due to his highly respected position in the banking sector they all said naught, Edward seemed a bit taken back by this and looked questioningly around at the others, some who had slight cynical smiles on there lips, or mocking looks, yet no one seemed to object, feeling maybe a little light entertainment may be of value at this time. Edward then consented and so Jim began his tale.
“Once upon a time all the trees of the forest decided that they wanted a king! For centuries they had dwelt together in peace, producing their fruits, sheltering the birds in their boughs, shading the animals beneath their shadows, being a plaything and source of enjoyment to children and a help to mankind. But now they wanted a ruler a King!
So they looked up to the great proud cedar of Lebanon and asked: “Come and reign over us – you stand so straight and tall – be our king!”
But the cedar of Lebanon shook his head proudly and said: “No! Not I, I am not interested! I stand here above it all, I alone look up into the heavens! And I like it so! I will not be your king.”
Then turning to the mighty oak of Bashan, they asked: “You are so strong – great oak, come and be our king!”
But the mighty oak answered: “No not I, I am far too important – I furnish all the timbers for the ships and the beams for the roofs – I have no time to be your king!”
Then bending toward the olive tree the forest asked hopefully: “Olive tree, you are so kindly and men love you – will you be our ruler?
But the olive tree answered them scornfully: “Me? Why should I stop producing that which flavours food and honours the gods, just so that I may sway above the trees as a king? Oh no, not I, I will not be your king!”
Just then almost in disappointment leaning down over the fig tree, the forest cried: “Oh thou tree of sweet and pleasant fruit, would you be our king?”
“Not so,” replied the fig tree, “should I leave of my job of providing sweet and pleasant fruit, just to rule over the forest? No not I!”
Then stooping low over the grapevine, the forest asked in discouraged voice: “Grapevine, would you be our king and reign over us?”
The grapevine pointedly replied: “But I am busy producing wine to make glad the heart of man – I have no time to be your king!”
Despair then filled the forest – no one wanted to be king – all were too important or too busy, too satisfied, too proud, to be a leader. They had asked the great and the mighty, the good and the dignified and useful – and all been refused.
Just then something rustled at their feet as if demanding their attention. Looking down searchingly they saw there a tiny bramble bush - too small to cast a shadow – ugly and unattractive – fit only to grow sharp and painful thorns.
Kneeling down to speak to the briar shrub, the trees asked hopelessly: “Bramble bush will you be our king?”
And the briar seemed to swell up in importance as it cried out: “Of course I will be your king! Anoint me and I shall reign as your ruler!”
Then the forest leaned back in startled fear as the bramble bush waved its thorny arms and shouted: “Now hear me, all of you – I am your king! And I now command you all – you tall cedars and mighty oaks, you proud olives and busy figs and even you carefree grape vines – I command that everyone of you prostrate yourselves beneath my shadow – or I will send out a great fire to consume you all where you stand!”
Everyone was quiet around the table for the truths within this simple story had spoken louder than any discourse. You get the type of ruler you deserve, if you are not willing to take up the challenge, if you are the too lazy to stir up yourself, if you put your own pleasure and desires first. Then do not be surprised if the one who fills the vacuum is a crooked or dishonest or someone who no moral standing. What did you do to fill the vacancy in your place of work? Whether in politics or any walk of life, if you are to lazy to do the thing that needs done, to fill the need of leadership, or gap that has appeared then be not surprised when you find that the person who has stepped in is not the most ideal person to your way of thinking.
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