Tucker and Ben, an Allegory

An Allegory:

Tucker and Ben have been neighbors for decades.  They have always been friendly.  They often lend and borrow each others tools, and help out.  Their families have been known to get together for backyard barbecues, holidays, birthdays, weddings.  They don't agree on everything, though.  One disagreement is how they worship.  Another is how they recreate.  Tucker likes hunting and killing animals for food and displaying on his wall.  Ben plays tennis and leans vegetarian.  But none of those things have ever gotten in the way of their neighborly relationship.

One day in October, as Tucker is tying fishing lures on his back deck, a horrific scene unfolds.  He witnesses a person he knows named Mohammed, who lives on the other side of town, murder Ben's wife and two of his three children.

First he watches as Mohammed ties Ben to a tree, rapes his wife, pours gasoline on her, and sets her ablaze, as Ben struggles helplessly.  Next he watches as Mohammed executes Ben's two oldest children,  shooting them in the head. Finally he watches as Mohammed grabs the youngest child, ties her up, throws her in the back of his pick-up and speeds off.

Eventually, Tucker sees that somehow Ben has freed himself by chewing through his ropes, and watches as he runs towards him. 

"Help! Help! Help!" cries Ben as he reaches Tucker, who remains on his deck tying fishing lures. 

"Mohammed killed my wife and two children, and now he has kidnapped my youngest!  Please help!"  

Tucker greets him offering his condolences and expressing dismay at what he just witnessed.  "Of course, Ben, what can I do to help."  he says.  

"Mohammed slashed my tires!  Can I borrow your truck?"  asks Ben.

"Ben, that pick-up has been in my family for three generations.  I can't just lend it out.  I'd be heartbroken if something happened."  explains Tucker.

"Seriously?  After all these years of me helping you when your wifi goes down, you won't lend me your truck to save my daughter?" pleads Ben.

"Look Ben, I've got a lot on my plate, I can't just get involved in every neighborhood dispute.  It's "Tucker First" around here, and that truck is really important to me."

"Well, what about that bike?' asks Ben.  "Can I borrow that?" pointing to an old BMX kids bike rusting in the yard.

"Sure, go ahead. Have at it, and good luck." says Tucker.

"One last thing" says Ben.  "Can you do me a favor and call the police and report all this?"

"Sure, absolutely, no problem buddy." says Tucker.

As Ben awkwardly pedals down the driveway, Tucker reaches for his phone.  

"Hello, police?  I'd like to report...a stolen bike."