Why is everyone assuming that in the original story, the “bad” servant is modern orthodox? I read it differently!
There are Jews in all sects that dress the part and act the part on the outside, but behind the scenes they are not practicing with a full heart, just going through the motions. So yes, they are technically following halacha, but they dont do it with simcha. So they get their reward for following halacha, but the one who wants to serve Hashem and does it with a full heart gets the full schar.
I like anon’s too! It shows a different way of looking at the story. There are plenty of ways to rewrite this mashal and I invite everyone to try to post others!