The chairman of an old and established political party had plans to sabotage the organizing of an upstart party. They were siphoning off members. Heads nodded in agreement.

One member stood up and said, “Let me tell you a story.”

“There was an established High School that had become more restrictive and repressive in its philosophy. The principal enjoyed unbridled power. Then New High School was built.

“The schools were renamed: Vladimir High and Kyiv High. Some teachers and administrators of Vladimir High transferred to Kyiv. Students followed. Faculty, staff, and students flourished. The principal of Vladimir High was brooding and angry: Those teachers and students at Kyiv High belonged to him! He would take them back. Grasping for power, he convened a few administrators and told them his plan.

“At the direction of the principal they set fires in Kyiv High: In the rooms, hallways, and the principal’s office. Students joined teachers, administrators, and janitors to quell the blazes. Victims were pulled out of smoldering ashes. Smoke inhalation killed two students: One each from Vladimir High and Kyiv High.

“Unsatisfied with the results of the fires—no one was leaving KyivSchool—the principal sent more students and teachers to burn down the whole building. Hundreds were trapped in the school and died.

“It was known that the principal of Vladimir High School was the instigator, but he had a lot of clout and people feared him.

“Even as people mourned the deaths and destruction, they resolved to prevail despite the odds, and rebuild Kyiv High School.”

The Storyteller looked around the room and asked, “Who enabled the principal of Vladimir High School to wield his destructive power? What does he fear?”

This is a parable. It is true.

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