There is a fable about the Angel Gabriel who has just come from surveying the earth and its inhabitants. He reports to God. “Lord, it’s my duty to inform you that you’re the possessor of a choice piece of real estate known as planet earth.
“But the tenants you’ve leased it out to are destroying it. In another few years, it won’t be fit to live in. They have polluted your rivers. The air is fouled with the stench of their over-consumerism.
“They frequently kill one another, and all the prophets you’ve sent to them calling for an accounting have met with violence. By any rule of sound management, Lord, you’ve got but one option.”
Then raising his trumpet to his lips, Gabriel asked, “Shall I sound the eviction notice now, O God?”
And God said, “No, Gabriel! No, not just yet. I know you are right. But I keep thinking if I just give them a little more time, they’ll quit acting like they own the place?”
