they speak to us in different ways everytime we read them.  

I think we have to take them as a group.  Really, in almost every parable, the same message is being delivered.  We're all valuable for who and what we are.  We don't need to be different or to try to be like someone else.  Its about total acceptance.

Ofcourse, I'm not using them to teach my children any real religious point of view.  Its very much a philosophical exercise for us.  I do believe there are great messages out there that we are meant to absorb.