Turtles and culture today


There was this family of turtles who were going on a picnic. They packed up a wonderful lunch of really great sandwiches and also some bottles of pop and chips and stuff like that. The littlest turtle was so excited about this picnic, but being the youngest, he was always worried about being left out.


So the family sets off for the picnic grounds but soon after they leave, they realize they forgot the bottle opener. So big brother turtle turns to the littlest one, and says, "Hey, run back and get the bottle opener."


"No!" says the little turtle. "I know how this goes. You'll all get to the picnic grounds and then eat all the sandwiches before I get back."


"We won't," says the big brother. "We'll wait here until you get back."


"You'll still eat all the sandwiches," says the little turtle. "I know you will. You always do."


"No we won't," says the brother. "We won't touch them."


"Yes you will! You always do!"


By this time everybody's getting hot and bothered, and mom turtle intervenes.


"Junior, go back and get that bottle opener. NOW!"


So the little turtle pouts and turns toward home. The other turtles sit in the shade and wait. And wait. And wait. It takes forever. Pretty soon it's noon. And then it's past noon.


And still the little turtle doesn't show up


"What's taking him so long?" says one turtle.


"He's pouting," says another.


Days begin to pass.  Ten days.  Twenty days.  Thirty days.


By this time, the turtles are so hungry and they decide to give up on the whole thing and just have their picnic anyway. They pull out the sandwiches and start to eat.


And just then, the little turtle, who had not gone home at all, but was hiding in the bushes the whole time, watching, jumps out and says:


"Ha! I KNEW you would eat those sandwiches while I was gone! I knew it!  That’s why I’m not going back for the bottle opener!”


__________


That's pretty much the nature of our culture today - or at least a lot of days.  


Lots of distrust when we need interdependence and shared responsibility on a lot of different levels.


And better days are ahead - it's always the case.  You might have to go through a lot of not so good days first, but on average, there are always better days ahead.


Be of good cheer and go ahead and get that bottle opener if that's your job and where you are.  


At least you'll have had the journey there and back. 


It's all good.  You'll be fine.


Grace and peace.


8/25



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