The Farmer and the Fence

Why do you speak plainly to us and to the multitudes in parables?

BECAUSE….IT IS NOT GIVEN TO THEM TO UNDERSTAND

A PARABLE

The farmer watched as the cows went out— came in, each day foraging, providing for themselves and their young, independent and content. Then the farmer decided to build a fence. The cattle went out and came in. Everything as usual. Then the farmer decided to provide some of the food for the cows. They would eat and then go out to pasture. Gradually the farmer increased the food he was providing for them. Now less inclined to provide for themselves some of the cows decided not to go out at all. Then one day he put a gate up. They could still go out and return. The gate remained open. They really didn’t care. Then one night under the cover of darkness he closed the gate. The next day the cattle carriers arrived taking them to their final destination.

Ovidius Naso

Everything comes gradually and at its appointed time