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.  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 leans vegetarian, only eating meat occasionally.  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 by 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.

Tucker is appalled by this display of rape, murder, and kidnapping.  He can't believe his eyes.  

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

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

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

Tucker greets him on the deck offering his condolences and expressing sincere sympathy at what he just witnessed.  "Of course, Ben, what can I do to help!"  he says.  

"Mohammed slashed my tires so I have no way to chase him and rescue my daughter.  Can I borrow your pick-up truck?"  asks Ben.

"Ben, that truck has been in my family for three generations.  I cannot just lend it out.  I'd be heartbroken if it got scratched."  explains Tucker.

"Seriously?  After all these years of me lending you my leaf blower, you won't lend me your truck so I can rescue 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 over there?' asks Ben.  "Can I borrow that?" pointing to an old BMX style 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 the small bike down the drive, Tucker reaches for his phone.  

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