declined.131 Also, there is no “logical time” that extends beyond the narrative time of the parable. When the parable is over, the narrative time is over. Thus to ask about events outside the story time—such as asking what the pearl merchant did after he sold all he owned and bought the one pearl132—destroys the parable and demonstrates misunderstanding about how analogies and parables work. 9. Pay particular attention to the rule of end stress. Some parables have crucial material spread over the