Paddy's crabs

[An old yarn .. could be from anywhere, or any time - but heard it as Irish, some 40 year ago.]

A tourist wandered out on to a jetty where Paddy was fishing for crabs, and putting them into an open bucket.

“Um,” said the tourist, “shouldn't you put a lid on that bucket?”

“Na, no need,” replied Paddy “dey're oirish crabs, have more than one. Soon as one tries t' climb out, t'others will drag 'im back in.”

This yarn, of course, can be further embroidered with multiple adjectives and concepts - in whichever way one chooses. Is the tourist sophisticated, scientific, knowledgeable.. Is Paddy a simple rustic.

Could the concept be applied to any tribe, family (working; or not), trade unions, football teams, business associations, political parties, religious groups, Empires?

For my peculiar mind .. one simple sentence

rang a tinkle from the bell of clarity ..

And so ..

If I told you the truth, you wouldn't believe me*.

but the sentence was written
down through the ages,
and sages -
by a bystander smitten;
a long 2000 years
and seers
ago.

*Written, not by Yeshua, but found within the recorded writings of Thomas ..

This is, according to the doctrine of the Roman – or any - clergy .. sheer heresy. Punishable by “Ex-communication!”? Expelled from the tribe. Slung from a tree, nailed to a cross. No longer a valid person! Discarded! Sent into exile, to Coventry, a railway carriage to Belsen/Auschwitz ! You are on your own! No support!

Terror!.

(and yet the basic human spirit survives, i wonder why)