Parody of Parables

By Tracy Carol Taylor

Jesus Christ taught his disciples and others the principals of God with parables. And though times have changed, the principals of God have not. The stories within are the "updated" and "modern" version of these classic parables with a twenty-first century twist.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Prince of Pages, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 28, 2018
• ISBN: 9781949252064

Tracy Carol Taylor

Tracy Carol Taylor is the creative author of a variety of books that range from, children's books, to fantasy books, Dental Fiction to Inspirational Books. She holds a Bachelor's degree in English and Liberal Arts from George Mason University. She is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces, with extensive travels to over twenty-two countries throughout her career as an engineer. She has written seventeen novels to her credit and the list keeps growing. Her current works include a dental fiction series called Toothtown. In this series, includes such titles as Toothache at Big Mouth Bend, Cavities of the Caribbean, Tale of Two Teeth and her newest novel, Something Wicked in the Land of Ahhs; just to name a few.

Book preview

Parody of Parables

by

Tracy Carol Taylor

Prince of Pages, Inc.

21st Century Parables

Copyright © 2017 by Tracy Carol Taylor. All Rights Reserved.

____________________________________________________

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise without the proper permission of the author except as provided by USA copyright law.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version, Cambridge, 1769. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily those of Prince of Pages, Inc.

_____________________________________________________

Published by Prince of Pages, Inc.

N. Carlin Springs Road | Arlington, VA 22203 USA

www.princeofpages.com

Cover Art and Illustrations by: Getty Images: Masaru Horie

_____________________________________________________

Published in the United States of America

ISBN: 978-1-949252-06-4

1. Religion, Christian Life, Devotional

2. Religion, Christian Life, Personal Growth

Table of Contents

Title Page

The Laborers and The Vineyard

The Talents

The Two Sons & The Vineyard

The Unforgiving Servant

The Poor Widow's Offering

The Sower

The Good Samaritan

The Lost Sheep

The Prodigals Son

The Dishonest Steward

The Rich Man & Lazarus

The Persistent Widow

The Pharisee & The Tax Man

The Ten Lepers

The Ten Virgins

The Wheat & The Tares

The Mustard Seed

The Leaven

The Concealed Treasure

The Pearl

The Two Debtors

The Friend at Midnight

The Wedding Feast

The Lost Coin

The Tenants

The Net

The Sheep and The Goats

THE PARABLES OF JESUS CHRIST

The Laborers and The Vineyard

Unfinished_Stories/CHRISTIAN%20STORIES/21st%20Century%20Parables/The%20Laborers%20and%20the%20Vineyard%202.jpg

Once upon a time, there was a great CEO who wanted to create a program to track his company’s inventory. So, he hired Tom and Jeff for $50,000 dollars a year. Tom and Jeff were very good workers. Every day they completed their tasks and created code for the inventory program. But they soon found out that the job of creating the database was too big for them to do alone and so they asked for help.

The great CEO agreed, and he hired five more people. He found help among the subcontractors. Now with a team of seven workers, the work became easier and everyone did their part to make sure the work got done. However, tax time was approaching fast, and the great CEO needed the program to be completed, so that he could see what his inventory was and what he needed to order for the next year. So, the great CEO went out and found seven more people. These people were college graduates. They were inexperienced, but they were very eager to work and to learn.

Now there were fourteen people working on the project to create the inventory program. The great CEO even put Tom and Jeff in charge, because they had worked the longest and knew the most about how to do things. Under the tutelage of Tom and Jeff, and in the matter of three months, the program was completed, and the inventory was done. The great CEO was so happy that he decided to give his employees a bonus. He handed out bonus checks of $1000 dollars to all of his programmers, equally. But Tom and Jeff were not happy about this and they told the great CEO about it.

Why do those guys get the same bonus as us? We did most of the work before they even came on the contract. We should get a bigger bonus than them. Why not give them $500 dollars and give us $1500 dollars. That's fair, those who work the most get the most...right? Tom reasoned.

Jeff shook his head in agreement. Yes, I agree with Tom. Some of them are only college grads anyway with very little experience. So why should they get the same amount as us?

The great CEO was angry and puzzled. When I hired you, we agreed that you would work for $50,000 dollars a year, did we not?

Yes. Tom and Jeff answered him.

Did I cheat you? The great CEO asked.

No. They responded.

Did I not put you in charge to teach the college recruits?

Yes.

Did I ever offer you or promise to give a bonus if the work got done on time? The great CEO asked both men.

No. They replied, a little sheepishly. They knew where he was going with this.

Then why do you feel cheated? Since everyone did a good job and completed the project on time, is it not fair to give everyone who worked on the project a bonus?

Yes. They agreed. Tom was still a little miffed, but Jeff was feeling sorry that he ever brought it up.

Then where do you get off being so angry and telling me how to run my business?

But...

The project is done, and I no longer need so many employees. You two may go. I will email you letters of recommendation. You are very good workers, but you need to work on your attitudes. Thank you for your service.

Tom and Jeff left the boss' office. Tom was bitter and angry.

He can't do that to me! He would be nowhere if it weren’t for my excellent leadership and programming abilities. See if I help him out again. Tom stormed off in an angry huff.

Jeff, on the other hand, was sorry and repentive. He knew the CEO to be right. He wanted to go and apologize, but he was too ashamed to do it. So, he just left.

One year later, the CEO had another contract. Both Tom and Jeff applied for the jobs, thinking that enough time had passed, and that the CEO had forgotten them. But he hadn't.

If I hire you for a set amount, would you complain if someone makes more than you?

Yes. Tom said honestly. Why should someone else make more than me? We should all make the same amount.

Thank you for your time. The Great CEO said. We shall be in contact with you.

Tom left feeling good. He had told the truth and he just knew that he would be rewarded.

The Great CEO also interviewed Jeff.

If I hire you for a set amount, would you complain if someone makes more than you?

I'm sorry that I made such a fuss last year. Jeff apologized. You were right, and I was wrong. We had a contract and you honored your part. I never should have complained.

The Great CEO studied Jeff's face. Then he extended his hand to Jeff.

Congratulations Jeff, you've got the job. You start work on Monday.

Jeff smiled and so did the CEO.

I know that I have the right man for the job.

The Talents

Unfinished_Stories/CHRISTIAN%20STORIES/21st%20Century%20Parables/The%20Talents%202.jpg

Once upon a time, there was an old man that had three boys. Andy was first born, Matt was second, and Zeke was third. The old man had raised his sons well and wanted them to do well. So, he decided to test them.

I am going on a trip. The old man told his sons. Andy, you have five talents. Use them well. Matt, you're not as talented as your brother Andy, but you do have two talents. Use them well. Zeke, you may not be as talented as your brothers, but you still have one talent. Use it well. I will return by the end of the year.

Andy used his talents of networking, money smarts, his ability to see new opportunities, his boldness, and his persistence. He started his own company called Mr. Fix It. Using his talents, he found people who were good at their trades and offered their services to anyone who needed help fixing things. He had a net worth of billions and one hundred employees.

Matt used his musical talents and his outgoing personality to become a great musician. He played sold out clubs and stadiums. He also gave back to the community. He would hold charity concerts and give the money to worthy causes. He had a net worth of millions and had fifty people helping him with costumes, staging, PR, and other things.

Zeke hid his talent of being a writer. He didn't use his talent as his father had instructed him. He hid his ability and never showed it to any one because he was afraid of being laughed at. He was also afraid that he would fail. So, he just never bothered to try.

At the end of the year, when their father returned, he asked his children what they had been up to.

Andy told his father about the company that he had started. He told his father about his employees and their skills, and he told him about all the money that he had made.

The old man smiled at his first-born son. Well done, my son. I am proud of you. Because you have done well, I will invest more money in you.

Matt told his father