The Hair Experience: A Parable

She had never been more excited.

Here she was a few days away from the greatest day of her life.  It had all seemed to fit so right.  He wasn’t like others.  He was more interested in her than his own pursuits. Their relationship was built on a solid friendship of trust and mutual transparency.  The bond between them was deep.  She found it easier to share with him the issues of her heart because she knew it would not go further and would not diminish her in his sight.

As the friendship developed and they recognised the deep feelings they had for each other, the inevitable issue emerged and after much prayer and counselling they resolved to affirm the desire for a permanent relationship of the most intimate kind.

Now here she was getting herself prepared for the great day.  He didn’t show off, but it was clear to her that he was taking the preparation very seriously and looking to put together the best for his beloved.  This provided a spur to her to beautify herself for the day and present herself internally and externally the best way she could.

She had been to the pedicurist and the manicurist and they had done an outstanding job.  She had the facial and if there were any blemishes on her face they had surely been dealt with after that experiences.  The fitness regime she pushed herself through had produced the desired results and she had never felt so toned and agile in her life.  She took on the idea of having a massage once a week for the last four weeks before the great day and indeed she felt relaxed.

Almost everything was in place.  She had saved the best for last.  Among her attractive features, the one she took pride in the most was her luxurious hair.  She loved it anyway, but she also knew that he loved nothing better than to run his hands through her hair and marvel at this gorgeous part of his beloved.  She enjoyed the times when he would get through to her scalp and massage it, before playfully teasing her hair.

Now here she was at a recommended hair salon in the hope that they would make sure it was in the best feel and shape ever to compliment everything else.

As she sat down with her assigned stylist, she was put at ease and told the procedure that would take place and how long it would take.  She relaxed as the stylist chatted away about a variety of topics and went through a considerable process of applying a number of hair products, combing, washing, fluffing and treating the hair in a manner that appeared to be thorough.

The procedure lasted quite a while, so she was looking forward to seeing something outstanding for the investment made in terms of time and money.  The chatting had soon become a bit monotonous and tedious, so it was taxing her patience, but from time to time the stylist would assure her that all of it was necessary and would be worthwhile.  So she would hold her tongue.

Finally the stylist told her after drying her hair that the styling had come to an end.  Her hair was kept in plastic protective equipment as she got up and paid the considerable fee for the treatment.  As she retired to the ladies room and removed the protective gear and shook out her hair fully, she noticed no definite difference to her hair than before she came in.  Quizzically she ran her hand through her hair and felt that there was no difference either.  Her puzzled look soon turned to anger as it became clear that there was no marked improvement on her hair.

She approached the stylist to look for an explanation.  The stylist, however, was dismissive, stating that the reputation of the hair salon was beyond reproach and as they knew what they were doing, they had done everything fine, and if she had a problem with the final outcome, it was probably more about her than them.

Despite her protestations, the stylist remained unmoved at the condition.  So upset was she at the experience, that she called up her beloved and tearfully related her experience.  He let her know in no uncertain terms that the salon would not get away with it.

After a few phone calls, a media storm swirled around the salon as it further emerged that they had a reputation for pulling such con jobs on customers, hiding behind their ‘reputation’ to intimidate customers from complaining further.  The media fury soon turned to legal action, and so considerable was the attention that the salon was eventually put out of business, and the stylist never got to treat hair again.

Meanwhile the couple still went through with their delightful day, and her hair looked more resplendent than ever.  This was due to a simple, humble hair stylist who rather than chatting pompously away, conversed with her to find out more about her and her hair.  In this light, the new stylist applied great care to use the right resources sensibly and after great consideration on the matter presented her with an outcome that went beyond her greatest dreams.

Even her beloved was blown away by the result as he saw her on that great day.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden