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The Extremists - an allegory: Part 3 PDF Print E-mail
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Written by Mrs Ellen Downes   
Saturday, 16 May 2009
 
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For the final time we return to the land of Yim with Mrs Ellen Downes. You need to click here for the context of part one and part two.

Many Yims felt that although the Community Meal Halls (CMH’s) were serving suspicious ingredients and an unbalanced diet, it was not bad enough to warrant any extreme changes in their daily routines. “We can fill them up with nutritious food at supper time", they would argue and that way "the poisons will not have any effect." Besides, it is our job to teach the community about health and nutrition as the Master taught. How can we reach the Chefs and parents of other children if our children aren’t attending our local CMH? If we have to work in our own gardens and orchards again we won’t have time to talk to other Yims.” They watched as their friends planned and prepared family meals. They noted that the children no longer attended the local CMH and they shook their heads. How could these children learn current table etiquette and menu ideas if they were eating at home? How could they share the Master’s Instructions if they weren’t up-to-date with the Chefs latest ideas and theories? No, these ‘extremists’ as they came to be known, were surely misguided. The Master wanted the message of good health to reach all Yims. The children must learn to have the poison on their plates but not eat it. They must work in the CMH beside their parents to bring health back to the people. But it wasn’t always easy to distinguish each individual ingredient in the different meals. The children couldn’t always know if the food was acceptable. It was on their plate, all mixed together. The children weren’t sure. Their parents weren’t there.

Some Yims might have been more tempted to send their children to a Master’s CMH (as they were being called), but these institutions had their own particular problems. It was hard to find Chefs who were prepared to humble themselves in obedience to the Instruction Sheet and not try to introduce at least some of the more exotic, less balanced meals. Certain Master’s Halls were working well and to these many children were sent, allowing the parents to change as little as possible their accustomed lifestyle. Even children receiving nutritious suppers at home were showing slight signs of better health and this was enough to placate many parent’s conciences. 

The extremists had surely gone too far.  It was unnecessary to make so much work for oneself and to alienate ones family from the rest of the community. Extreme, unnecessary, over-reacting, over-cautious. Yes, EXTREMISTS. But the extremists were grateful to the Master for his Sheet of Instructions, because they knew he was the only one who understood exactly what the needs of their children were. Each family carefully followed the Instructions.  They grew orchards and planted vegetable and herb gardens. Together they worked to produce good crops they all enjoyed together. In the kitchens of their homes they cut and cooked, created and tasted, served and enjoyed delicious meals. They grew strong and vibrant, happy and healthy. 

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.  But his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night” Psalm 1:1-2.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.” Psalm 111:10

“He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” Proverbs 13:20 

“Things that cause people to sin are bound to come,but woe to that person through whom they come.  It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.” Luke 17:1-2

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn form it.” Proverbs 22:6

“Fix these words of mine in our hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 11:18-19

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

By Mrs Ellen Downes, wife of Dr. Geoff Downes | 29 April 2009
Published in : Worldviews, Education
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Users' Comments (1) RSS feed comment
Posted by Evelina de Hoog, on 26-05-2009 11:05, IP 59.167.119.196, Guest
1. Thanks Ellen
Great allegory Ellen! 
 
I enjoyed reading each part, very clever comparison. 
 
If only it seemed so straight forward in the real world (of Christians). Of course we wouldn't feed our children poisonous food.... or would we? 
 
Isn't it incredible what our minds slowly get used to, as change comes gradually. And for those of us who have never seen a change, but have always lived with the concept of "education" as the wider public now see it. 
 
Evelina
 
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