The bridge and the villagers

There was an isolated village encircled by a river where people lived in luxury. They had almost everything they could ever ask for and they did their best to make sure that their standards of living stayed the way they were. They were strict about who entered their village, who moved into their village, and generally how people lived in their village.

But like any other community the people in the village regularly had to be in touch with friends, relatives and especially traders that they did business with. Depending on the conditions on the river, the villagers would either wade across the narrow section or use canoes. This of course would be difficult at times or even impossible when the weather was not cooperative.

Then one day, the villagers heard of people called “River Walkers” who could help solve their problem. No longer would they have to get wet or risk drowning, and best of all they could cross the river anytime they wanted night or day, rain or shine.

So the villagers sent emissaries to the River Walkers and asked them to help the villagers how to walk on the river without getting wet. Upon hearing this, one of the River Walkers giggled to the amusement of his team. The villagers were puzzled. “What’s so funny?” they asked. The River Walker then said: “Sorry but we don’t really walk on the water. Only one and a half person has done that. One did it; the other almost drowned trying to do it.  That is not what we do.”

The villagers were so disappointed and angry. The river that had allowed them to live in luxurious isolation had now imprisoned them and dictated how and when they interacted with the rest of the world.

“Don’t be sullen,” said the youngest of the River Walkers. “We are indeed River Walkers, but we don’t walk on the river, we walk over the river!  In order to do this, we build what is called a bridge over rivers.”

“Yes! said the villagers. “Let us build a bridge so we can finally be in touch with our neighbors when we want or need to.” From there the River Walkers began explaining that they would have to choose the perfect place for a bridge because it has to be strong and safe. Then they would have to dig holes, cut trees to make the bridge from, then call in the Bridge Makers, several strong and loud men who will surely be making loud noises as they work.

After listening to all of that, a village elder stood up, very disturbed at the thought of all the disruption. He pointed out how their village was such a quiet peaceful place and the idea of building a bridge might let them cross the river anytime but it would forever change how the place looks and would affect their privacy and the value of their lands. “People might think that we are no longer special or different.” Then he said that if some of the trees were cut for poles it might let in too much sun and burn their skin or harm their children.

The River Walkers were bewildered. A few minutes ago the villagers were so bothered about being trapped, wet, and constantly in danger of drowning while crossing the river. Now they were more concerned about what other villages might think and “sunburn?” So they suggested smaller and simpler means to get people across. But the Villagers continued to protest about the sun, the noise, the loud Bridge Makers as well as not being able to cross the river when they want to.

Finally the leader of the River Walkers stood and spoke: “I have listened to each and every concern that you have expressed. I have sat in the back nodding in agreement that what each of you fear or want is valid. It is never fun to cross in neck deep water, why should one have to worry about drowning just to speak with someone on the other side, or be imprisoned inside the village when all you really want to do is to cross the river. You are right in wanting to keep things the way they have been in village. That is your ‘right’.

“The problem is you also have an equally important ‘want’. You want to go beyond the river when you want to. You “want” to see people or to speak to people across the river when you want to. So you must now choose if what you ‘want’ is more important than all the ‘right’ things you have. Is it right to be imprisoned by the river? Is it right to constantly be threatened and placed at risk by the river?

“You have gone this far in your want and your search to make that happen. What you want is important for your life, your family, your needs and for making a living. The bridge will make you a River Walker and no longer a prisoner of the river.

“How can we help you cross the river, if you won’t let us build the bridge? You must decide on whether to arrive at the solution you want, or to raise the right arguments you have. Do you want to be the solution or do you want to remain in the problem?

“Just remember, it was you who chose to live surrounded by the river. Your exclusive choice is also your exclusive problem. A village imprisoned and cut off by choice.”

The River Walkers then stood up. Walked away giggling about the thought of how the villagers would look trying to walk on the water.

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The modern day parable is about exclusive villages where residents bemoan the lack of signal strength from their favorite telecoms company or who complain about traffic but reject appeals for right of way. When a company or the government comes in offering to improve the situation by bringing in the technology, the villagers react with concerns about radiation, effects on security, health and property values etc.

Ironically, no one talks about the good results such as even better quality of life, improved services, additional income and wider community relationships. Even more important, the improvement in emergency response that comes from better telecoms and road networks.

The River represents our fears of things we don’t know and generally what isn’t. Sometimes the River and us, we are one. “How can we help you cross the River if you won’t let us build the bridge?”

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