A true story.
The drama coach determined that a given act in a given play
might have some significant symbolism.
He asked the actors to define the symbolism in detail.
The single table in center stage and the two associated chairs
implied starkness and possibly loneliness.
The single dim light hanging over the table could have implied
darkness or the glimmer of light and hope in spite of the starkness.
The girl entering from stage right and her movement across the stage
to the opposite side of the table could have implied searching.
The white, white dress she was wearing could have implied purity.
There were so many more thoughts and perceptions.
And when they had finished this task, they compiled their great insights
and called the playwright to find how well they had done.
The playwright was incredibly amused that they had spent
so much time dissecting every aspect of that particular scene.
He then proceeded to explain that none of their insights
had anything to do with the play.
The play had been written for a small acting group
with a minimum of available materials and even less money.
Their stage was as small as the theater.
They had only one small kitchen table and two chairs.
The only immediately available light was from the center stage bulb.
The white dress happened to be the only dress they had which fit that particular actress.
They had simply used the props which were available.
There were no hidden meanings, implications, or innuendos,
and the “insights” presented had nothing to do with the story itself.
And so that was a true story from many years ago –
But just imagine what that same scenario would be today.
There would be some psychology and sociology majors who would find
all kinds of hidden meanings which could be categorized..
There would be several religion majors
who would ferret out a myriad of hidden moral symbolisms.
Several accounting majors would demonstrate beyond a doubt
that it was all poor business management.
Several law students would find grounds for fraud
if it were really true that the props meant nothing specific.
The football coach would be certain that there was evidence of sport involved
since the two chairs were on opposite sides of the table.
The president of the university would cut the drama department’s budget
since expensive props were being used which meant nothing.
And you well know we could go on with this for a long time.
So it is with life.
We are so certain that everything has a hidden agenda
that we are almost totally unwilling
to accept that which is just for what it is.
Our strong external orientation is almost inviolate.
It is a miracle in its self that we ever actually find a Higher Power in our lives.
It is even more of a miracle when one considers that in spite of such incredibly overwhelming obvious evidence, we are still committed to the hidden agendas concept.
© Dr. Jon C. Fulfs – March 2000
[Part of book in progress entitled ‘Out of the Prairie’]