Parable (it's a sidetracked thread about fables, metaphors, and parables)

[Torp]

Found this on some site somewhere...enjoy.

A man told his grandson:

"A terrible fight is going on inside me -- a fight between two wolves. One is evil, and represents hate, anger, arrogance, intolerance, and superiority. The other is good, and represents joy, peace, love, tolerance, understanding, humility, kindness, empathy, generosity, and compassion. This same fight is going on inside you, inside every other person too."
 
The grandson then asked:
"Which wolf will win?"

The old man replied simply:
"The one you feed."

- Anon -

[Jacey1973]

Like it...bit sinister tho...

[i_m_robot]

Found this on some site somewhere...enjoy.

A man told his grandson:

"A terrible fight is going on inside me -- a fight between two wolves. One is evil, and represents hate, anger, arrogance, intolerance, and superiority. The other is good, and represents joy, peace, love, tolerance, understanding, humility, kindness, empathy, generosity, and compassion. This same fight is going on inside you, inside every other person too."
 
The grandson then asked:
"Which wolf will win?"

The old man replied simply:
"The one you feed."

- Anon -

love anger and hate are too closely tied to be from separate beasts

self believes

[rob47]

one of my wolves is addicted to cigarettes.

[BoliverAllmon]

Found this on some site somewhere...enjoy.

A man told his grandson:

"A terrible fight is going on inside me -- a fight between two wolves. One is evil, and represents hate, anger, arrogance, intolerance, and superiority. The other is good, and represents joy, peace, love, tolerance, understanding, humility, kindness, empathy, generosity, and compassion. This same fight is going on inside you, inside every other person too."
 
The grandson then asked:
"Which wolf will win?"

The old man replied simply:
"The one you feed."

- Anon -

pretty good parable. It really isn't a parable though, it is more like an analogy.

[musik_man]

It's a metaphor.

[BoliverAllmon]

It's a metaphor.

metaphors don't explain themselves. He is explaining what each wolf is. Well, I don't know. it is more of a metaphor than parable. Parables give no explaination. The meanings are hidden. They are to be studied and figured out.

[Torp]

I'll stick with parable...

One of many definitions:

Noun 1. Parable – a short moral story (often with animal characters) 

[musik_man]

Sheesh, if you wanna get overly technical, it's a short dialogue where one character uses a metaphor and explains what it means.

[bernhard]

Let me join the crowd that prefers to admire the finger than look at the moon it is pointing.

What about a fable?

(good story, Torp) .

[bernhard]

one of my wolves is addicted to cigarettes.

Then you don't need ot worry about this one: it will soon die of cancer.

[Torp]

Let me join the crowd that prefers to admire the finger than look at the moon it is pointing.

What about a fable?

(good story, Torp) .

Thanks, I was beginning to wonder if the message had been lost in the metaphorical fable.

[rob47]

Then you don't need ot worry about this one: it will soon die of cancer.

hahaha true, but he's already dead inside anyway.  He can't even keep up with the pack due to his breathing difficulties.

[BoliverAllmon]

fable-


A usually short narrative making an edifying or cautionary point and often employing as characters animals that speak and act like humans.
A story about legendary persons and exploits.
A falsehood; a lie


the definition of a Biblical parable goes like this.

An earthly story with a Heavenly meaning.

boliver

[Torp]

fable- A usually short narrative making an edifying or cautionary point and often employing as characters animals that speak and act like humans.

Now you know why "fable" is listed as a synonym for "parable."

[Dazzer]

like aesop's fables... aha

[Torp]

like aesop's fables... aha

Man...and I always thought those were allegories.  I guess I can't win

[bernhard]

Still at it?

Here is another (some would say pertinent) parable/fable/allegory/metaphor:

Anyone for food?

A man opened a new restaurant.

Soon a lady came in. The restaurant owner wriggled his hands in delight at the prospect of his first customer.

The lady however, had not come for a meal. She asked:

-   Are you the owner of this new restaurant?

-   Yes – replied the owner.

-   I can see you do not have much business yet , it is natural , it is a new restaurant. So I thought of a way to increase your business. Why not put a display on the front to call the attention of potential customers? Something like “Good food served here?”

-   Why, dear lady, thank you very much. This is a superb idea and I really appreciate your time in suggesting it to me. I will work on it right now.

And soon a display was put at the door saying “Good food served here”. The restaurateur had barely put up the sign when a couple entered the restaurant. Theowne was delighted “The sign is already worked, he thought”. Alas, the couple was not ther to eat.

-   We could not help but notice your sign, and we came here to give you some advice. Surely saying “Good food” raise suspicions about the quality of the food, after all it is taken for granted that a restaurant should serve good food. If you have to point that out, one immediately must assume this is not really the case.

-   Well, sir, I say, you do have a point, and I thank you for your trouble in calling my attention to it. I will act on it straight away. You have my eternal gratefulness.

So, the restaurateur, went out there and put up a new sign which said simply: “Food served here”.

Soon a portly gentleman make his way into the restaurant, and the owner gave him a big smile, after all this was to be his very first customer.

-   I just saw your sign outside. (the owner sighed already knowing what was coming). Are you nuts? This is a restaurant, for crying out loud. Of course food is served here, that sign insults the intelligence of your potential customers. No wonder the place is empty. Have a good day!

-   Thank you, sir, I am most obliged to you for pointing it out to me. I will take the sign away promptly.

And as he did so, he could not but wonder when would someone come in search of actual nourishment.

(retold from a Sufi tale I once heard).

 

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[Torp]

....he could not but wonder when would someone come in search of actual nourishment.

As ever, right to the point.  Thanks again.

[m1469]

A woman walked for miles and miles with only some change in her pocket.  She became famished in her journey and searched desperately for nourishment.  Up ahead she came to a little resturant where the people seemed nice and the food seemed to be decent.  She had just enough money to buy herself a soup, thinking how grateful she was to have found this place.  She ate with haste and walked outside to continue her journey.  Along the way she became ill and up came the soup.  She became so ill that she could not continue but had to rest for a few days to recover from her poisoning.  She regained her will to continue on, for she had nothing else to do.  After a while, she again became weary with the hunger and came upon the good fortune of meeting a young couple who offered her food.  They gave her all they had, cakes, sugars and processed delights.  She ate them with fervour only to find they provided nothing of substance for her health.  I am in need of nourishment, she thought, how will I know where to find what I am looking for when many things appear to be good for food, but may not be ?  I need a sign  .

he he... no sufi tale, but ....