This is an example of allegorical storytelling in business using the model of an African Dilemma Tale - In African storytelling tradition, the story is left open ended and so it is up to the listeners to discuss the probable outcomes are and 'what happens next'. The dilemma tale poses a quandry, a cliffhanger, a situation that must be navigated to find a way through. A story without an end is quite dissatisfying, not so? Oftentimes the characters are very different than those we find in real life but the genius of such stories is that they are able to present the unspeakable truth in a way that is understood by everyone.
The following story was developed for a government department operating in the health care sector in an African country. This story was used to trigger a change process and was told throughout the organisation.
"In a small, beautiful kingdom in Africa, a group of leaders saw that their people were facing terrible suffering. They wanted to help and between them had many skills, but they were faced with many obstacles - hands that should have been extending help were bound. Webs of confusion slowed them in their place of work. There was dissent between them and splinter groups formed. Much of their supporters were scattered. Some of the leaders had forgotten their Great Work. Worst of all, the fire around which they gathered to talk, had gone out. And even though there was help available from allies, they were so burdened and constrained that it was difficult to make use of the help offered to them.
Every time news came in from the mountain, they felt worse. The suffering was increasing. Parents were dying. Children were dying. Young people, who should have been strong and energetic looked lost and without hope for the future.
'This can't continue', someone said and several others heard, repeating the phrase. Though tired and lacking motivation, the wisdom of their ancestors whispered in their dreams.
'Build a fire,' the whispers said. 'Gather round and talk this thing through until you find solutions'.
Someone found a few twigs and put a match to them. Someone else came with more twigs and a few of the leaders started talking about their difficulties and found that all their problems were similar. Soon others arrived, bearing more firewood. As they talked and the flames leaped up, more arrived, until a great fire could be seen from afar. The leaders talked and talked until they all understood what the difficulties were and then began to plan how each would be overcome. Their supporters drew closer to the fire, heard the discussion and were glad, so glad, that some started to dance and sing. The people of the kingdom could see the fire and hear the singing from afar and their spirits rose. Something was happening at last….. TO BE CONTINUED….
