Story of the Harvesters

"Sort them into five groups for me," he commanded, calmly but firmly.  He had come a long way from the boy they once knew.

"In the first group I want those who do the best with what they have, even if it's not much or under dire circumstances; and those who invest their time and energy wisely in those in need and in those who who likewise invest wisely; and those who are generous, kind, selfless, open-minded, freeing, forthright, honest, fair, inclusive, tolerant, positive, and bold and courageous in both thought and deed".

"In the last group I want those who make the worst with what they have, even if it's much or under easy circumstances; and those who invest their time and energy in themselves or people closest to themselves or people just like themselves; and those who are greedy, unkind, selfish, close-minded, controlling, manipulative, deceitful, unfair, exclusive, negative, and spiritless and fearful in both thought and deed".

"Sort the rest in the middle groups by gradients of those values, to include those who intend to invest wisely, but are unable to do so at this time.  Please sort them so that about a fifth are in each group".

"What about their sexual practices or drinking habits or drug use or religious affiliations or political views or mistakes they made," his helpers asked.

"Those matter not one bit whatsoever, except in the context of the guidelines I provided," he answered.

They did as he asked.

Then he looked deep and long into each and every soul, taking into account every experience and limitation and thought and behavior.  Some he adjusted toward this group and some toward that group, depending on things that no one else could see.

When he had finished sorting them, he told them, "Among the last group, each shall give up 20% and give to the first group, equally to each.  Among the second-to-last group, each shall give up 10% and give to the second group, equally to each".

After that, he again looked into the souls of everyone and, within each group, took a little from some and gave to another within the same group.

This, to him, was fair.  He closed and locked the doors to the rumored torture chamber beneath the castle for Good.  There was no weeping.  There was no gnashing of teeth.

The vision was set with guidance, but left in capable hands to carry out.  Slavery was abolished.  Anyone who wanted to leave was allowed to leave at any time.  Anyone who struggled to follow the Spirit of Goodness was helped unless such a time came that they had to be asked to leave.

And it's whispered that soon,
If we all call the tune
Then the piper will lead us to reason
And a new day will dawn
For those who stand long
And the forests will echo with laughter