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The parable of the incorruptible farmer |
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Written by The Storyteller
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Thursday, 25 June 2009 |
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THE farmer was well-known in the barrio and the whole town as completely honest and incorruptible. His name was most appropriate – Diosdado. It meant "Gift of God" and the villagers equated this with the highest of integrity. In his whole life, there was not a tint of dishonesty nor a hint of wrongdoing. The entire barrio referred to him as the prime example of the good and upright.
This was the reason he was chosen as barrio head for decades. Since the village nestled at the foot of a mountain forested with valuable hard wood, an honest leader was necessary. Selective cutting was mandated by the government. Trucks heavy with timber had to pass the barrio. The clearance of the village head insured proper control.
The situation was perfect for graft and corruption. Through it all, the barrio head refused any form of bribery or gifts as influence. He kept strictly to the rule of the proper size and number of trees cut on any given day.
To begin with, he did not want the extra money. He lived simply and his farm provided his family with the basic necessities of a good life. For another, his wife had a lucrative marketing venture of fruits and vegetables.
One day, a lumber concessionaire met with the farmer’s wife in town. He wanted to give a small gift. "You do not have to tell your husband. Just tell me his favorite animal or insect."
"Why not?" justified the wife. "His favorite is the spider. And, yes, I will keep it our secret."
After a week, the farmer’s wife was handed a life-size spider made of pure gold. As agreed, she kept the gift a secret and never mentioned it to the farmer.
Then the wheels of fate turned around. The farmer’s crop failed two years in a row. Drought affected the vegetables and fruits of the village so the wife’s marketing activities plummeted to practically zero.
Meanwhile, there were loans to repay and college expenses to maintain for the children in the city.
The wife was forced to bring out the golden spider. She decided to cut just one-fourth to sell and tide their expenses over. As she was cutting the jewelry, the farmer appeared beside her.
"What is that and where did you get it?" inquired the husband simply.
There was no other choice but to tell the truth. "Many years ago, a lumber concessionaire gave it as a gift after asking me your favorite animal or insect. Then he fashioned this golden replica." The wife bowed her head ready for a big reprimand.
The farmer kept his composure and said, "That is not correct. My favorite creature is a horse."
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