Deception

In this parable, Culla Holme represents the self-centered man who will go to any lengths, even murder, to save appearances. Culla Holme's sister Rinthy is pregnant with her brother's baby. As Rinthy nears delivery, she begs Culla to get help for her. Culla discards her pleas, afraid that the midwife will talk. In other words, he is willing to risk his sister and his baby's health to save his own standing and reputation. After the baby is born, Culla takes the healthy baby boy to the woods and leaves it for dead. He tells his sister that the baby died and that he buried it nearby. As Rinthy begins to recover, she asks to visit the child's grave and bring it flowers.

Uncaring that she is hurt and in pain, Culla tells her that she cannot bring flowers to a person with no name. When she suggests that...