~ Crocodile Creek

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 31 May 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

kayne	31 May 2002
We had a P.D. (Professional Development) day at work today and to illustrate that people have different ideas about things we were given this story... We had to then rank which of the people in the story was the best person and which one was the worse... (b.t.w. The story is intended to use very Australian terms so in brackets there will be a translation to help you out...) The Crocodile Creek Story Many years ago, there was a woman named Mabel who worked as a station (large cattle farm) cook. Mabel was in love with a stockman (station worker) named Dave . Dave lived on the opposite bank. The creek which seperated the two lovers was chockers (very full) with man-eating crocodiles when it overflowed in the rainy season. Mabel wanted to cross the creek to be with Dave. Unfortunately, it was in the middle of the wet season, and the bridge had been washed out. So she asked Bluey, a wealthy but lonely station owner who had a boat, if he would take her across. He said he would be glad to, if she would consent to go to bed with him beforehand. She promptly refused and went to her friend named Burt to explain her plight. Bert did not want to be involved at all in the situation. Mabel felt her only option was to accept Bluey's terms. Bluey fulfilled his promise to Mabel and delivered her to the arms of Dave. When she told Dave about her amourous escape in order to cross the overflowing creek, Dave cast her aside with disdain. Heartsick and dejected, Mabel turned to her mate (friend) Digger with her tale of woe. Digger, feeling compassion for Mabel, tracked down Dave and gave him a good belting. Mabel was overjoyed at the sight of Dave getting his due. As the sun sets on the horizon, we hear Mabel laughing at Dave's misfortune. Okay, in order from best to worse, how would you put Mabel, Dave, Bluey, Burt and Digger? And why...

wavebreaker	31 May 2002
I think Burt is the smartest one, for not wanting to get involved in the situation... ;)

Faerie Lin	31 May 2002
Dave is the best because he knows (IMO) that its wrong to sleep with someone else in order to hurry up and see someone, I would have kicked her butt to the curb also, she gives herself up to easily for stupid reasons. Bert is right up there with Dave, because I can't see anything he did wrong. Maybe he just didn't want to get anywhere near those darn crocs, I know I wouldn't. But I think he should have thrown out some ideas for the seemingly ditzy Mable. These next lasts ones are kinda hard to put in order.... But here goes. Bluey, because it would have been nice if he just would have helped her without asking for all that in return. BUT he didn't force her to agree to it. Digger and then Mable are the worse. I think they deserve each other (lol i'm acting as if this is a real story) because they both seem to agree on the same views. Maybe they can both cheat on each other with people who can help them get to each other faster. Mable is a little worse than Digger because she is the one who did the deed. Lin

Diana	31 May 2002
Well, Digger must be in love with Mabel (although he's a bit dumb - but then so is she, so I suppose they would make a nice couple.) But he's just all brawn and no brains, so one can't really judge him (and also his Dad was alcoholic and his mother suffered from depression, so he had a miserable childhood.) She's pretty dumb too. Why doesn't she learn how to build a boat or something? And laughing at other people's misfortunes is not very clever. Bluey's pretty smart, albeit his lack of morals. But as he probably never liked Dave anyway, he doesn't feel guilty. Dave's the smart one. He has the brains not to have built his house right next to these wierdos. And he recognises a weak woman when he sees one.

Geenius at Wrok	31 May 2002
Dave simply showed justifiable indignation. Digger's not too bright, but the worst he can be accused of is defending the (imaginary) honor of a friend. He could have done it nonviolently, though, so Dave gets the edge. Burt's is a sin of omission. He should have tried harder to talk Mabel out of what she was going to do. I'm hard put to decide who's worse, Mabel or Bluey. Both are self-centered and mean-spirited. Mabel is definitely the dimmer bulb of the two, so I suppose she comes in last. I've heard this parable before with different characters and a medieval setting (a princess, a boatman who demands money, etc.). Our responses are supposed to reflect our values in some way, right?

Kiama	31 May 2002
Call me mean and unromantic, but anyone who puts the lives of themselves and another in danger just so they can go see their partner has to think things through a bit more... Although true love and dedication is wonderful, I think practicaliy is wonderful too: If Mabel and the boat guy had been eaten by the crocs, she definitely wouldn't have been able to see her boyfriend anyway! I'm not sure I can judge her actions with the boatman, etc, but I can judge her lack of practicality... The boat guy... He ranks pretty low with me I think: He basically took advantage of Mabel's need and distress. She wasn't in the right frame of mind to be able to think anything through properly, and somebody who takes advantage of sombody in such a vulnerable state is pretty low on my list. On the other hand, both the Boat Guy and Mable knew what they wanted, and went for it! Ambition is a good thing sometimes.. Otherwise, I am finding it very difficult to judge the rest of them... Kiama

Malachite	31 May 2002
Lets see... WORST... Burt betrayed his best mate, and forced her to sleep with the other guy. Dave:...For not realising what he lost. He left her for one night he had no claim to, losing a lifetime that he could have had. Digger:...For being a bully, if a reasonably honourable one. Mabel and Bluey... I'm not sure which is worse...Bluey could have helped her without asking, but he had every right to ask . Mabel kinda cheated, but without being able to get across the river, she may as well just have stayed in with a german porn movie anyway..she did what she felt she had to...

Sam	31 May 2002
mabel is the best, because she slept with a man she despised to be with her crush!

kayne	31 May 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Chunkypuffs mabel is the best, because she slept with a man she despised to be with her crush! But then she laughed in her crush's face when her thug beat him up... I want to know what'll happen nine months later and see how Digger will react if Bluey's baby comes knocking...

The ~ Crocodile Creek thread was originally posted on 31 May 2002 in the Chat board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Chat, or read more archived threads.