5.18.2009

More sacrilege.

There was a parable in the Bible
in which the chief of a village was captured
by his arch nemesis after the city walls fell.
In a barbaric display of power
they brought his offspring to the town square
and lined them up, shoulder-to-shoulder
in front of all the defeated inhabitants.
The conquering ruler ordered three of his best archers
to draw their bows and await further instruction.
As their arms quivered with the tension of the strings
and the arrowheads glistened in the deceptive sunlight
the invading general asked the captive leader
which of his three sons would be executed
as an offering to the pagan gods.
Without a moment's hesitation the answer came
and at the raise of a hand the archers let loose.
The three arrows protruding from the boy's chest
broke in half as he silently folded into the sand.
Tears hit the dust in unison as the onlookers
remembered their beloved adolescent neighbor
whose life had been sacrificed so mercilessly.
Even the cruel despot who had given the order
felt unusually stirred by the scene, specifically
the decisive strength with which his foe had replied.
Not willing to let his curiousity run rampant forever
the evil man stepped down from his horse
and approached his stoic adversary.
Once within arm's reach of the unflinching chief
he met his eyes and asked in an exalted tone,
"Why did you pick your eldest son to die?
Surely he was your favorite."
Again, without the slightest pause, the man
responded in a confident, even voice--
"Because he was the strongest one among them
and would best understand."
With frightened, shifting eyes the victorious sultan turned
to mount his horse, commanding his troops
to fall back. A great commotion erupted
among the ranks as the heavily armed men
fled for their lives.

So maybe this wasn't a Bible story
but it should've been.

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