The Hole

There is a small parable of the man who was walking down the street and suddenly fell into a great hole. The hole was dark and he couldn’t see. The sides of the hole were slippery and steep, and he could not pull himself out. The hole was so deep he could barely hear the world above him.

He yelled and cried for help, but no one came. Finally, he heard footsteps above and called out for help. It was a doctor passing by. The man yelled to her that he was in a hole and needed help. She stopped and floated down a prescription to him, but it was of no help.

Again, the man waited until he heard another set of footsteps approach, and he yelled and cried for help. A clergyman was passing by and offered to pray for him. Although the prayers made him feel better, he was still in the hole.

Finally, the man heard another set of footsteps and a stranger approached. The man cried out for help. Suddenly, the stranger jumped down into the hole with the man.

The man was incredulous. “Why, why did you do this? Now we are both in the hole!” he exclaimed.

“Yes,” said the stranger. “But I have been in this hole before, and I know the way out.”

Right now, you are in a hole. You might be feeling alone and wondering how you are going to get out. I, Reader, have been in this hole. Together, we will get out.