The following written piece is the product of artificial intelligence created by ChatGPT based on prompts by author Mark Evilsizor.
Prompt: Write a modern parable carrying the same truth as the good Samaritan.
ChatGPT response: Once upon a time, in a busy city, a young man was walking home from work when he saw a person lying on the sidewalk, injured and in need of help. Just like the Good Samaritan in the biblical story, the young man had a choice to make. He could either keep walking and mind his own business, or he could stop and help the person in need.
As he was in a rush to get home, the young man thought about all the reasons why he should not stop. He was tired from a long day of work and did not want to be late for dinner. He also did not know the person and was worried about getting involved in a dangerous situation.
But then he remembered a lesson his mother taught him as a child: “Always be kind and help those in need, because you never know when you might be the one who needs help.” With that in mind, the young man made the decision to stop and help the person in need.
He called an ambulance and stayed with the person until help arrived. The injured person was grateful and thanked the young man for his kindness. The young man felt a sense of satisfaction knowing that he had made a positive impact on someone’s life.
This modern parable shows that the same truth that was true in the story of the Good Samaritan still holds true today. No matter how busy or tired we are, it is important to always show compassion and help those in need.
My Response: To be a parable, the narrative should not reference The Good Samaritan, it should embody it. And you need to include multiple people groups, those who pass by, and the unexpected person who stops and helps.
ChatGPT Response: Once upon a time, in a busy city, a man was walking home from work when he saw a person lying on the sidewalk, injured and in need of help. Many people passed by the person, including a wealthy businessman and a busy mother, but each one had an excuse for why they could not stop and help.
Just as they passed by, an unexpected person walked by. This person was a delivery driver, who was often overlooked and undervalued in society. But despite his own busy schedule, the delivery driver stopped to help the person in need. He called for an ambulance and stayed with the person until help arrived.
The injured person was grateful and thanked the delivery driver for his kindness. The delivery driver humbly replied, “I may not have much, but I have the ability to help and make a difference in someone’s life. That’s all that matters.”
This modern parable shows that true compassion and kindness come from unexpected places, and it is not our wealth or status that define us, but rather our actions towards others in need. Just like the Good Samaritan, the delivery driver chose to put aside his own concerns and show compassion to a stranger, reminding us that anyone can make a positive impact in someone’s life through acts of kindness.
My response: That is much better. But the story should not explicitly tell its truth in the last paragraph, let the story speak for itself. Can you make the compassionate person more of an outcast and less likely person. Can you add some dialog between the injured person and the compassionate person.
ChatGPT Response: Once upon a time, in a busy city, a person was lying on the sidewalk, injured and in need of help. Many people walked by, including a wealthy businessman, a busy mother, and a group of young friends, but each one had an excuse for why they could not stop and help.
Just as they passed by, an unexpected person walked by. This person was a homeless man, often looked down upon and shunned by society. But despite his own struggles, the homeless man stopped to help the person in need. He called for an ambulance and stayed by their side until help arrived.
The injured person, who was in shock and pain, asked the homeless man, “Why would you stop to help me? No one else cared.” The homeless man simply replied, “I may not have a home or much to my name, but I have the ability to help and make a difference in someone’s life. That’s what’s important.”
As the ambulance arrived and the injured person was taken away, the homeless man continued on his way, leaving a lasting impression on the injured person and all who witnessed the act of kindness.
This modern parable shows that true compassion and kindness can come from the most unlikely of places, and that it is not our wealth, status, or circumstances that define us, but rather how we treat others in their time of need. The homeless man’s selfless act serves as a reminder that anyone can make a positive impact in someone’s life through acts of kindness, regardless of their own struggles or limitations.
My response: Set the story in Viet Nam during the war.
ChatGPT Response: Once upon a time, in a war-torn village in Vietnam, a soldier lay wounded on the side of the road. Many people passed by, including a wealthy landlord, a busy nurse, and a group of soldiers, but each one had an excuse for why they could not stop and help.
Just as they passed by, an unexpected person walked by. This person was a poor farmer, often disregarded and oppressed by the wealthy and powerful. But despite his own hardships, the farmer stopped to help the soldier. He called for a medic and stayed by the soldier’s side until help arrived.
The wounded soldier, who was in shock and pain, asked the farmer, “Why would you risk your own safety to help me? I am your enemy.” The farmer simply replied, “In this moment, I see only a fellow human being in need. I may not have much, but I have the ability to help and make a difference in someone’s life. That’s all that matters.”
As the medic arrived and the soldier was taken away, the farmer continued on his way, leaving a lasting impression on the soldier and all who witnessed the act of kindness.
This modern parable, set in the midst of war, shows that even in the darkest of times, true compassion and kindness can transcend conflict and division. The farmer’s selfless act serves as a reminder that anyone can make a positive impact in someone’s life through acts of kindness, regardless of the circumstances or biases of society.