Sunday, February 26
PARABLE OF THE MAGPIES IN THE WEST
And the magpies flew west and found a city and a country where there were many flocks and herds that were ill-tended and diseased.
And the magpies said to each other, Indeed this is the place we have been seeking and here we will make our home; for here there is food for us, eating the vermin that so torment these animals and create raw wounds in their tormented flesh.
And this will be our work and the service that we offer to the Westerners; and therefore they will welcome us and reward us richly.
And the magpies tended to the flocks and herds and therefore the magpies found their work and raised their children; and other magpies came to join them.
And the Westerners watched the magpies; and at first the Westerners were glad in their coming for the care that the magpies gave to those so long uncared-for.
And the magpies walked proudly among them, tending to them; and the magpies had neat black coats and neat white shirts; and the magpies nodded their neat black heads and called to each other with loud voices.
And then some Westerners hated the magpies, and said to the others, See how the dark hands and dark mouths of the magpies are ever wet with the blood of their work and their food; Surely these magpies are unclean in their ways and we should not suffer them among us.
And yet the Westerners suffered the magpies to live among them because of the work that the magpies did.
And then a sickness came upon the land, and many died among the magpies and among the Westerners, and those who were sick were cared for by the magpies.
And still some Westerners hated the magpies and said, Surely this sickness came to our lands with the coming of the magpies; and surely the magpies have brought this sickness to our lands through the uncleanness of their food and of their ways.
And then some Westerners hunted the magpies.
And then some of the magpies cried out and said, Why do you hunt us, are we not those who care for you, even in this sickness?
But other magpies answered them, and said, What else do you expect, when you who have given such care to those who are not your own?
(Monica Youn)