The parable of the allotment. Part 3

The parable of the allotment

Part 3

Now, earlier I claimed that this parable is completely true, and some people may think that this completely discredits the story because it just is not possible to claim with any certainty that God is real. So, let’s home in on the parable a bit more closely.

I am saying that the allotment definitely exists, and the fruit definitely exists – there is not a shadow of doubt about that. But Arthur is a rather shadowy figure – very mysterious indeed, in fact. So, let’s go back to the conversation between neighbours. Hearing about this marvellous allotment and its fantastic fruit for the first time, the neighbour wants to enquire a bit more about this wonderful Arthur figure: who is he? What’s he like? Back to the story.

“Oh”, says the first neighbour, “you never really see Arthur. He seems to do most of his digging and planting and harvesting very early in the morning. By the time I get there he’s usually pottering about in his shed. I just call out, “Morning, Arthur!”, give him a wave, and I collect my stuff and off I go. I can usually just pick out the outline of his hand waving back from inside the shed”.

“So, you’ve never actually seen him?!”

“Well, I’ve had glimpses of him from time to time. It’s funny now that you mention it; he does seem to be always just off somewhere to do something, or he’s lost in the undergrowth busy pruning something. But I hear him call back pretty often. And when I go, I often find Susan from up the street there and she says she chats to Arthur for ages, and it always makes her feel better. I’ve heard her, nattering on to the shed while Arthur’s inside”.

“So, you’re not actually sure what he even looks like? Are you sure he’s even there?!”

“But look! The fruit is right here; I’ve brought you some to try it. It’s delicious! How could I have this fruit unless Arthur had grown it?”