A Parable To Read

Once upon a time there was a man. He was handsome, and well liked in his community. It happened that this man was lucky and came into some wealth; he purchased on cash a fantastic new red convertible. It was a shiny, sleek, well functioning machine which any man would have wanted, and some men envied him his good fortune.
The red convertible was determined that she should be the best and only car the man would ever want to drive; she shifted like a dream, being new, the engine was a smooth as butter, there was power to spare and the red paint was without fault. She was a great car to drive, in every way. The red convertible vowed to herself that she would always be a wonderful companion to the handsome, well liked man who had bought her. She was proud to belong to someone outstanding.
The man also was proud to have such a spectacular automobile to call his own; he often made comments to others about the grace and speed of his car, about how he loved the color and prestige. Especially when she was new, the man made great fanfare about bragging to all his friends about her.
But as time went on, the true character of the man began to show.
One day, as the man wished to drive his car, he noticed that she shifted a little awkwardly. Why would that be? The man wondered to himself. I need my gears lubed, the car told him. Ridiculous! Exclaimed the man. You simply are tired of being my car and you have been holding a grudge against me for one thing or another! You stupid and hateful car! Don’t you know what a good man I am? And with that he crudely shifted into gear and raced down the highway.
The shifting problem continued. The man insisted it was the car’s fault and the car sadly came to accept that fact that there would be no grease applied. Time went on.
On another incident, a small economy car accidentally scratched the rear right side on the way out of the grocery store parking lot. Being cocky, the other car sneered and ran away. It was a hit and run sort of thing, the convertible told her owner when he returned. Of course it is your fault for how you appear, the man said. How can it be? Questioned the car in her mind. I have not been washed in weeks and cannot recall when I have ever been waxed! So, now, with some mechanical problems and a deep mark showing on the side, the beautiful red convertible had to admit she was no longer new and full of ambition.
One dreary and rainy morning the man was in a hurry to get to church and jumped into his car. She turned over and started well but as he began to reverse the car he heard a shrill noise and also realized the brakes were not functioning properly. There was no pressure on the pedal and the man became very angry. You wretched and unreliable beast! Can you not even start and stop as I like? Did you forget that you are my car and I am your owner? I OWN you and I command you to brake properly! Of course this was ridiculous and the car began to say so. I am not a wretched car! I am a little dirty, and there is some slip in the tranny, but you have not once added brake fluid and you really should check the rear left brake line!
Well, when the car said this the man immediately got out of the drivers seat and went around near the rear tire. Wonderful! Thought the once beautiful convertible. He is finally realizing his error! But alas, how wrong the optimistic car had been, for the man only angrily kicked the hubcap which then fell off. Now you see! He said. You are such a disrespectful car! And not wishing to anger him further the car said nothing at all.
In his foolishness the man got back in the car, reversed out of his drive and began to speed down the road. You will do as I say! He commanded to his vehicle. But I cannot! Exclaimed the exasperated convertible. I have no brake fluid, as there is a broken line! But the pride of the man would not allow him to concede, and so he only accelerated further. Soon the pair were rushing down a steep hill, and at the final bend the man exclaimed “There are no brakes! There are no brakes!” and they flew off the bend and off the road and into a deep ravine.
The man was greatly injured. In an attempt to do well, the car had been sure to release the air bag. Due to the horn sounding, someone quickly noticed the accident and called for help; the man was rushed to the hospital and lived. The beautiful red convertible, now only red and twisted metal, was left in the ravine until someone could make time to pull her out. There was really nothing anyone could do now; it was a total loss.
The man recovered from his injuries and was released from the hospital. He was very vocal about all he had been through. He never failed to mention how much he loved the wonderful car and how he could not understand how the accident had ever happened. Those who did not know him well were very sympathetic; oh yes, they would say, life can be complicated. But those who knew him would simply turn away to hide their disgust, and the other cars in the neighborhood fondly remembered the loving, bright and once stunning red convertible.