Disclaimer: So this is a retold parable that I've only told people twice, because I could see people getting very offended by it. That is not my intention. My intention is to translate a parable to the modern age, and there will be gaps, changes, this is not the inspired Word of God, okay? I know that's generally accepted about fanfiction - it's not the original - but I want to make that very clear, because this isn't like other source material.
Once upon a time, a tourist walked the streets of Chicago. Getting lost, he cut through an alley and got mugged. Since it was nearly dark and the muggers had knives, they thought they'd have some fun. When they left, they left him bleeding and unconscious.
Shortly after—but long enough anyone passing could clearly see the tourist was in trouble—a man on his way to a prayer meeting ducked down the alley, his hand on the handle of his concealed carry. He didn't have time to take care of the man and make it to the prayer meeting, and as the prayer meeting was for the all-important revival of godliness in the American government, he hurried on his way on the opposite side, leaving the man to die.
An hour later—a very long hour that the tourist was barely aware of—a pastor also cut through the alley, praying constantly for God to protect him as he took the shortcut. He too saw the man, but as caring for him would make the pastor late to the conference he was leading—Mercy in a Sinful World—the pastor too hurried past on the opposite side of the alley.
The next person to cut through the alley, hair cut short, was a lesbian, on her way to working out before her date. Stopping immediately, she picked up the man, slung him over her back, and made for the nearest urgent care. She paid for all the medical expenses—half her paycheque—and, when the doctors released him, took the tourist to a hotel in a safer neighbourhood and paid for a room for him. Before she left she gave the tourist her cell phone number, in case he needed anything else.
Reminder that the Narnian Writing Challenge will happen at the Aventures in Narnia forum, starting September 1st!