The Parable of the Little Girl and Her New Bike
Once there was a little girl named Alannah who never thought much about riding a bike until one day her teacher, thinking she was such a wonderful student, awarded her a vintage Schwinn cruiser complete with scoop-neck handle-bars and a sparkly banana seat. Alannah was overjoyed to receive such a valuable gift, but a little sad too, because she didn’t know how to use it.
Back home Alannah’s mom and dad and big-sister Judah assured her she could learn to ride in no time at all. Dad opened the garage and rolled out everyone’s bikes while mom gathered the helmets. All four of them walked their bikes to the school grounds where they’d have plenty of room to practice.
Once there, mom and dad taught Alannah the basics of bike-riding in the grassy area where it was safe and, sure enough, within a few minutes she was balancing on her own – but she was still a little shaky. That’s when dad said, “It’s time to play follow the leader. Mom goes first.”
They all climbed on their bikes and lined up. First mom, then big-sister Judah, then Alannah, and finally dad at the very end who roared, “Okay mom, lead the way!”
Mom rode ahead nice and slow so Alannah could follow, making big sweeping turns in the form of figure-eights and loop-d-loops. Judah stuck on her tail confidently while Alannah wobbled a bit and dad trailed behind calling out, “Great job Alannah! Turn the handle bars nice and slow…” Soon she was diving into the turns and carving big figure-eights like a pro.
Suddenly mom said, “Judah’s next!” and pulled sharply out of the lead sneaking to the back of the line. Judah eagerly took charge, heading straight for the obstacles on the basketball court. She steered daringly around hoops and between picnic tables, showing off her mad cycling skills. Alannah faltered for a moment behind the more aggressive leader, then quickly adapted. She learned to turn tight circumferences and thread tiny gaps. She stopped thinking so much and started having fun.
After a few minutes, dad called out, “Okay, Alannah’s turn!” Judah instantly swung around the back of the line and Alannah was now charge. Everyone watched her closely, wondering how she would lead. She headed through the picnic tables and aimed the whole crew back toward the wide opened spaces of the blacktop. She carved big figure-eights over and over again obsessively – and everyone followed – before peeling off toward the sidewalk and risking everyone’s lives under the narrow covered walkways.
Dad came next. He immediately pretended his bike was a Sopwith Camel and proceeded to chase the Red Baron up and down the playground making machine-gun noises while mom and the girls rolled their eyes and followed behind.
Then they started all over again. First mom, then Judah, then Alannah, and finally dad. The four of them covered the school in circles, spirals, and black rubber skid-marks until they finally pooped-out for good and headed back home for some well-deserved hot chocolate.
