So Dom - an allegory of wisdom, Q3 2022

The following is an allegorical story intended to illustrate the wisdom of God’s principles in all of life, particularly in business. We hope you enjoy it.

So Dom had a secret. Two secrets really. He didn’t try to keep secrets. It’s just that no one noticed. So Dom lived at the edge of a small village in Western China, near Nepal. The village nestled in a poor farming community, in a remote valley, far from the hustle and wealth of any city. Of all the poor people in that poor valley, So Dom was the poorest. Although he worked hard, and was honest, yet he did not have so fine a house nor so fine of clothes as the others in the village. Although they were all poor, the other in the villagers thought themselves much better than So Dom. Even the mayor of the village, whose name was So Brit, sometimes laughed at So Dom and made fun of him.

Strangely, So Dom seemed happy with his quiet life at the edge of the village. He arose every day at dawn, and walked quietly to his little farm, where he kept a few chickens and geese, and raised a little grain. Sometimes he hummed as he worked, though usually off key. At evening he walked home to his hut, ate a quiet supper, and read by candle light until bed time. A bit strange, yes, but happy.

Years ago, a man had come over the mountains from the West, carrying a book. He called himself a missionary, and he read from the strange book. Then he had given the book to So Brit, the mayor, and walked away – back over the mountains to Nepal. Now, So Brit was not fond of anyone coming to his village and teaching new things. He knew everything that needed to be known, and their village did not need outsiders causing problems. So, he built a large fire and invited the whole village to a party. He threw that book in the fire and everyone in the village laughed and got drunk. Except So Dom.

So Dom was curious about the book. Especially when he noticed it did not burn up in the fire. He got a stick to fish it out of the coals and took it home. No one noticed. If they had, they would only have laughed at him. Everyone knew So Dom couldn’t read.

But So Dom could read, because his mother had taught him long ago, before anyone remembered. That was one of his secrets. The book was his other secret. This was the only book he’d ever owned. He began to read it and learned much.

The villagers wondered why So Dom would not lie, or cheat or steal. Everyone knew that poor people have a right to do those things. Especially when it comes to the government and taxes. How could anyone trust someone who would not do things like everyone else? But So Dom would not lie about how much grain he grew because he read in his book that he should tell the truth, and pay his taxes.

Another ridiculous habit So Dom had, was giving his extra eggs and some of his grain to his poor widow neighbor and her starving son. Everyone knew he couldn’t get ahead giving away all his profit. No wonder So Dom never had any fine clothes! But So Dom had read in his book that he should give to those in need. He knew it didn’t pay. But it made him happy.

Mostly, the people of the village just ignored him. However, when So Brit threw one of his famous parties for the village, and So Dom would not come, it was a little irritating. Why did he think he was better than everyone else? But So Dom did not really trust So Brit, and he had read that when a dishonest ruler invites you to his party, you are better off putting a knife to your throat. So, So Dom stayed home.

Every year at harvest, So Dom cut and thrashed his grain, and stored it carefully away in his little granary. Later, when the grain buyer came to the village, he sold just enough of his grain to pay his taxes, and to buy a pair of shoes. The rest he kept to eat, and to plant next year. Sometimes he had plenty to eat thru Winter. Sometimes he did not, and had to dig for roots. But So Dom had read in his book to not worry and he always had enough to plant in the Spring.

One year, the rains came at just the right time, and the fields produced much grain. It was not that way everywhere in China, so the price for grain was high. Everyone in the village was excited. This year there would be plenty of money. There would be fine new clothes. There would be wonderful parties.

But So Dom was completely unreasonable. Just as before, he sold only enough to pay his taxes and to buy a pair of shoes. His granary still had a large pile in it when the buyer left. So Brit shook his head. Everyone in the village shook their heads. So Dom had passed up the opportunity of a life time. But So Dom had read in his book that those who were greedy of gain brought trouble to their house. So, he didn’t sell.

The parties really were wonderful. So Brit was elected for another term as mayor. But So Dom missed all of it. Someone who had read a book one time made a joke about So Scrooge. Everyone laughed, but only a few knew why.

And then another year came. This time the rains did not come. The fields stood spindly and waste. There was nothing to sell to the buyer. There were no parties that Winter. So Brit told the villagers that only he could help them get through the hard times, so the people elected him mayor yet again.

Spring came. There was no grain left in the village for seed to plant the fields. Everyone had eaten every kernel. The villagers wailed to So Brit. Something must be done. They could count on So Brit.

So Brit had an idea. Surely So Dom had some grain left in his granary. He always did. They would explain to him that he must give out of his store for the good of everyone. He would understand of course. They would give him an honorable position on the village council to convince him. It was a good idea. Everyone went together to So Dom’s little hut at the edge of the village.

But So Dom was not there. His hut was empty, the thatch roof already starting to cave in. They rushed to the granary. It was swept clean and bare. Neither a chicken nor a rat was anywhere in the yard. Panic began to set in. There was talk of hanging So Brit. No one even noticed that So Dom’s neighbor, the widow and her son were also gone.

For you see, during that meager Winter, So Dom had read a lot, and thought a lot. He wondered where the man was who had brought this wonderful book. He wondered if he could find him. So, late one evening he swept the last of his grain into a bag and swung the bag over his shoulder. He put the last two laying hens in a small cage and laid it on the boy. Then So Dom, and the widow, and the boy walked away - across the mountains to Nepal.

He didn’t know that if he had stayed, he could have been the richest man in all that country. He could have been mayor. He could have made everyone take back all those jokes about him.

But if he had known, he would have gone anyway. Because he had read in his book that he should seek another country.

He was So Dom.

…the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1st. Cor. 1:25

The Arrow Team