A long dining table sits in the middle of a quiet banquet hall. The table is filled to the edges with beautiful platters of delicious foods. The variety of meats and vegetables and fruits and breads and cheeses and soups and desserts are enough to satisfy each and every individual preference of a hundred visiting guest. But no guests have been invited to this dinner. Only two place settings are prepared, one at each end of the long dining table.
The quiet banquet hall is interrupted by a loud clunking of the handle turning on the large entry door. As the door opens, a well-dressed teenager strides into the room. The teenager walks directly to the open place setting at the near end of the table. In one motion, the teen sits down without even needing to pull out the chair. Without looking up, the teenager calls out to the other side of the table.
"Father, I've been thinking about what to do now that I have finished school. I am still waiting to hear back from the postgraduate program. I believe you have connections with the university president and board of trustees. Have you had a chance to talk to any of them yet?"
The banquet hall is quiet...
After a moment of silence, the teenager finally looks up to check if the father is sitting at the table. The teenager's neck stretches to see over the pile of food. The eyes squint to see the long distance to the other side. The father's figure is just barely visible at the far end of the table. The teenager continues speaking in a louder voice in case the father could not hear the first time.
"I sent out the application several months ago now, Father. I graduated two years early, and I was at the top of my class. I would think I should be a good fit in their program. Have you heard any news?"
The banquet hall is quiet...
The figure at the far end of the table remains motionless. The teenager looks down at the table. After a long, uncomfortable pause, the teenager straightens the silverware next to the plate.
"I have also considered joining my friend's real estate business. There is a new development breaking ground on the far side of town. My friend will need an agent to work with the prospective buyers out there. Perhaps I should contact their office for any openings?"
The banquet hall is quiet...
The teenager readjusts in the chair into perfect posture, looking directly at the father.
"Of course, maybe I can check at the bank where I did my internship. Maybe there is an opportunity there?"
The banquet hall is quiet...
The teenager looks down again and takes a deep breath.
"I have been thinking about some other options too. I know this is a long shot, but remember when I won second place at the track and field regional championship in the 400 meter dash. That was one of my favorite memories of us together. I know a coach in town. Maybe with some more training, I could continue racing?"
The banquet hall is quiet...
"Or...I just saw a flier for a humanitarian effort in Africa. I know you invest heavily in philanthropy. Perhaps I should spend the summer there? Maybe it would give me a better perspective before I join the workforce?"
The banquet hall is quiet...
The teenager stares toward the far end of the table, but the father never moves.
YOU ARE READING
New Parables to Ponder: 12 Stories to Spark Spiritual Questions
SpiritualI will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. -from a prophecy in the songs of Asaph ***** Jesus is famous for teaching with parables, earthly stories with heavenly meanings...
