Dilemma story

A dilemma story (also dilemma tale) is an African story-form intended to provoke discussion. They are used both as a form of entertainment, and of instruction.

Example (in summary form)

Two babies are born, to families who consider cleanliness of utmost importance. For no reason, they hate each other. As they grow up, they hit each other, then throw stones, then fight with knives. They teach their wives and children to hate each other, till there are two rival clans in perpetual war.

One of the rivals is visiting a friend, who has an outdoor privy. The rival is very squeamish and afraid of being stung by the flies in the hole so he squats gingerly on top of the seat. As he puts his weight on the wooden frame he hears a crack, and before he can pull his trousers up and get to safety the whole platform falls into the pit of excrement below.

The rival is up to his nose in poo. He tilts his head upwards to escape it, and tries to call for help, but he can only open his mouth so far before a mouthful of stinking excrement enters it. His calls are distorted and muffled, but he calls until his throat is sore. Nobody comes.

As he's giving up and his toes are aching from standing on tiptoe, he hears someone coming, and gives a last shout. He hears footsteps around the outside of the privy wall. His enemy enters, and laughs.

'Oh, friend,' says the man stuck in the privy, 'help me! I know we have had our differences, but I am willing to put all that behind me, if only you will help me out of this hole of poo.'

The rival opens his throat and laughs louder. 'Friend?' he says. 'Was I your friend when you gave me this scar just last week? Was I your friend when you encouraged your children to throw stones at my animals, killing two chickens? This is the moment I have been waiting for. Finally I will have revenge for the trouble you have cause my family over the years.'

He picks up a massive stone, and prepares to throw it at the rival in the pit. The dilemma is this: should the rival duck further into the poo to avoid the stone, going against his upbringing and all the teachings of his community, or should he stay where he is, and be killed by the stone?

References

1) dilemma tale. (2006). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved September 9, 2006, from Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service: http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9030446

2) The example story was heard from Jan Blake.