Sunday, January 27, 2013

The Volunteer

A villager is stuck at the bottom of a dry well.  There is no way to climb out.  His situation is desperate.  He cries for help.

An NGO worker from the capital hears his cries for help.  He peers into the well and sees the helpless villager.  "Can you help me get out?" the villager asks.  The NGO worker thinks he has a solution.  He throws money down into the well, and then walks off.

The next day the villager remains stuck at the bottom of the dry well.  He continues to cry for help.  A missionary hears his cries and arrives at the well.  He stares down into the darkness at the poor villager.  "I need someone to help me out," pleas the villager.  The missionary is sure he has the solution.  He throws a bible down into the well, and walks off.

By the third day the villager is losing hope, but continues his cries for help.  A Peace Corps volunteer arrives at the well.  He looks at the helpless villager.  "Please, I need help!" the villager demands.  The Peace Corps volunteer does not know what to do.  There is no way to pull the villager out of the well.  He thinks for a moment.  Then, he throws himself into the well.

Once he has made himself comfortable next to the villager at the bottom of the well he realizes "God help me, I am broke and have no idea what I'm doing."