Stories of the human condition (part 1)

On my way to Dunn's River Falls last week, the driver of the bus related to me a story. I have taken it as true.

There is this middle aged man who rides around on his bicycle cutting the lawns of the Barbican and Hope Pasture's residents who'll have him. He has apparently done this for years. The lawnmower is strapped to the rear of the cycle and the container with petrol and other cutting implements are strapped to the front of the cycle.

On this particular day, he had just completed the cutting of the lawn for a famly with whom he has worked for nearly 20yrs. The parents in this family had long since migrated and the children too have moved on save for one not so young son. This son decided that he would sign over the title of his pick-up to the lawn manicurist since the van was in fairly good condition, had been parked for a few years and he was feeling altruistic.

The lawnmower man was elated and using the petrol for his mower, he got the vehicle started. He drove around the yard for a bit and then unto the public road for a bit working out all the kinks. He washed off the vehicle and began his journey home with his new vehicle and his old cycle in the back.

Since the vehicle had been sitting for years, you know that no papers were current. And where papers are not in order, 'Babylon' will be lurking. The owner had also failed to give him a letter of commitment stating his intentions to give away the vehicle.

So 'babylon' swoops down like 'john crow' on carrion and the arduous process of avoiding incarceration began. He explained all to the police officer who, in all fairness, was doing his duty. But 'Dibbles' was not interested in any explanations. The man had no money to bribe 'boy blue' and I don't know if that conversation took place, but he apparently pleaded fro mercy since he in his excitement was anxious to make his way home with the vehicle knowing full well that it would take a further few months before he would be legally able to operate the vehicle on a public road. Afterall, he'd have to 'wuk dat deh money'!

Passers-by stopped and begged for the man, including our story-teller, pointing out to the officer that he should show leniency since the man obviously meant no harm and had made a mistake in his excitement. It was suggested that 'coppa' could escort the man home since he lived close to where he was stopped, that way he ensured the man made it home without incident.

But 'Pharoah's' heart was hardened. A lady drove up and asked the lawn specialist what was happening. He explained and the lady too joined the others in their plea for leniency. The officer answered her rudely, suggesting that she make her way off about her busines and stop trying to tell him how to do his job. The lady then told the herbal massager "do not sign the ticket! Let it go to Court, for there you will find leniency." 'Dibbles' again chose to be rude to the lady and at that juncture she took out her I.D. "The Honourable Judge XYZ"! She pulled rank, sent 'corpy' on his way, and wrote a note for the grateful gardner, to be presented to any other officer who may stop him before he reached home..... officially stamped of course.

He cuts her lawn too.

Dilema
Officer did his job, stopping a law breaker. That is his occupation... what pays him.
Officer failed to show compassion, and so he failed at his job in being his brother's keeper.
If Officer had let him go and something had happened, by failing to execute his duties he would have held accountable.

Possible solution
He could have avoided conflict in all three by escorting the man home and giving him a stern warning, taking whatever particulars were available , in the event they were needed for later prosecution.

Dilema
Judge failed to uphold the law.
Judge was biased due to her previously established relationship with the law-breaker.
Judge directly gained by the bending of the law.
A house divided can't stand. Police and Judge supposedto deh pon same side.
Judge succeeded in acting with clemency and upholding the spirit of the law.

Jesus said he was here not to do away with the law but to fulfil it. He always advocated dispensing justice with clemency. We'll always find reasons to fight gainst the Police and Courts or for them as the situation merits to us. But are we really supposed to be kept in line by laws that are rigid, devoid of emotion, considering that we are emotional creatures? Or do we keep laws as suggestions for behavior that are not absolute? Whose level of temperance do we follow?