*Transcribed*
I’m going to tell you a story. Tell me how you think it should end.
Once upon a time, a man (X) fell into a well. Our hero J noticed that in this area a number of people had fallen into wells. J came across X and saw that he had some rope in the well, but not enough to get himself out. J offered to help and said he’d be right back with some more rope. When J got back X said: “I don’t need your help, someone else is coming.” J said, “No problem.” and went to go help some of the others. J came back a few weeks later to see how X was doing. Everyone who offered to help X never came through and poor X was very sad and still stuck in this well. Some of them had given him a lot of rope, but didn’t actually help him get out of the well. Many of them also wanted their rope back once X got out. J said: “OK, I have enough rope and I’ll help you get out. You don’t have to give me my rope back. The only condition I have is that once you get out, you have to use a small portion of YOUR rope to help some other people like I’ve helped you.”
Despite being stuck in a well, X didn’t seem to like the idea of having to share his rope. J again explained: “I’m coming to help you and giving you a LOT of rope. I don’t expect anything back from you. I’m not gaining anything. What I want you to do is help your community and friends who have also fallen by giving them a little of your rope.” J wanted to help because he could see that X was really helpless, but also knew that there were many other people he could help who would agree to his single condition.
Should J continue to try and convince X despite his apprehension? Should J leave helpless X to rot in his well and go help others?