John was glued to his phone as he took a shortcut through the local park. His dad had told him not to go that way – there had been several muggings over the past year – but John was sure he’d be fine. As he turned the corner three lads blocked his way.
“Give us your phone,” one of them said.
“What? No, I’m not giv—”
Before he could finish, he was punched in the face and knocked to the ground. Another kick ensured that John was completely out of action. He felt hands going through his pockets and wrenching his phone from his grip.
John groaned. He tried to move but couldn’t. He could taste blood in his mouth. He lay on the floor and wished he had listened to his dad.
Then he heard a woman talking. The sound was coming towards him.
“What? No, I’m on the way to the station. Julian, tell the prime minister I’ll be there in time for the vote.”
John knew that voice; he’d heard it on TV loads. It was Sheila Wheeler, the local MP. The voice stopped abruptly, and John felt a face bent close to his.
“Oh, er, are you OK?”
She paused, then John heard footsteps walking away from him.
“What? No, Julian. It’s just some gang member. No one important. I’ll call the police when I’m on the train if I remember.”
After what seemed like for ever, John heard the rolling of wheels and a gurgling sound. The wheels stopped, and a woman’s voice started to speak. It sounded like she was talking to a baby.
“Oh, no! Who’s this, Chloe? Someone’s hurt! What shall we do? Shall we help him?”
“Yes!” thought John. “Help me!”
There was a kerfuffle. “Oh, Chloe, don’t be sick. I haven’t got any spare clothes!” A baby started crying. “Erm, listen, I can’t help you just now. I need to sort my daughter out.”
The wheels rolled away and silence reigned again.
It was getting cold. John’s whole body hurt.
“John! What happened? Can you hear me?” It was another voice he knew. Was this…Sam? The last time he’d seen Sam, he had called him something unrepeatable. Everyone did. Sam was the kind of kid no one hung around with.
“Ambulance, please. My friend’s been hurt.”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What do you think of everyone’s actions in the story?
- Have you ever been in a similar position?
- Should we try to help people?
This story is based on Luke 10:25–37. Read these verses with the group and compare it with the story. Chat about what Jesus might have been trying to teach his listeners (and us) through it.
