GROUP DISCUSSION

Once upon a time, there lived a happily married young couple named Marco and
Annie in a far, far away land. One day Marco decided to go to the other side of the river in
search for a good portion of land. He crossed the crocodile-infested river, leaving his wife
behind. Anxious for her husband’s welfare, she decided to follow him. However, it was
raining heavily. She waited restlessly for the rain to subside, unfortunately it didn’t stop.
She was forced to seek shelter in a community near the riverbank and sought help from the
people. She asked them with whom she can seek help for her to cross the other side.
Everyone she met pointed to one person – Lucas. Lucas, a skillful boat man who have
crossed the crocodile-infested river countless times. They told her Lucas was the only
person in the village who can bravely cross the river unharmed.
She approached Lucas and pleaded, “Sir would you be so kind to bring me to the land
just across this river? “ She narrated, “my husband crossed the river early this morning and
I am a bit worried of his condition.” Lucas replied “Yes I can bring you safely there without
cost. However I have only one condition.” Annie asked “What is it Sir? For I will surely
comply. I have silver to remunerate your services.” Lucas said with definitive tone of voice
“sleep with me tonight and you will surely be there by daybreak.” Apprehensive about
yielding on to the unlikely condition, Annie thought fleetingly, persuaded by the thought that
she needed to be with her husband, she decided to concede. They complied with their
agreement. True enough, by daybreak Lucas maneuvered the boat without a hitch. Annie
was silent all through-out the boat ride. She stared blankly at the crocodile-infested river.
She left the boat without any word to Lucas. Marco saw his wife. He was happy to see her.
Guilt-ridden, Annie confessed to Marco what happened. Marco was devastated. He
divorced Annie and left her forever.

Now who was at fault? Was it Annie, Marco, Lucas, the crocodiles or the heavy rain?
Discuss among yourselves who do you think is the most or least guilty and justify your
answer. You have 10 minutes in this exercise.