The original version has four characters, but there are various versions that have been created throughout the years. For another version, please see Purdue's Center for Instructional Excellence Version (Links).

Pusch identifies the original source as developed by Sidney Simon, Professor of Education, University of Massachusetts.

If you use the Modern Parable available in Downloads, please note that this adaptation was created by compiling a number of student revisions of the original parable (which they judged to be in need of updating because it was not very relevant to their lives). This adaptation requires a skilled facilitator because the narrative often stimulates learner assumptions about time, place, and various embodied cultural identities. After the suggested debriefing questions, and dependent upon what topics do/don't come up naturally in the discussion, the facilitator may want to ask students to question what assumptions they made about the characters (their race/ethnicity, class, nationality, age, etc.) and how those assumptions may have shaped their judgments. Tact and empathy may be necessary in responding to learners who are triggered emotionally by the discussion and/or who make insensitive or offensive comments that need redirection to create 'learning moments.' This adaptation may also not be appropriate for international groups of learners because of the implied context of the US/Mexico border.

CILMAR has also revised this activity to resonate more with STEM faculty and students - see the Lab Parable under Downloads. Because the context is professional rather than personal, the learning outcomes may shift away from empathy more towards openness, self-awareness, and worldview frameworks.