The Creature in the Woods: A Parable About Boundary Drift
By Jereme Peabody
The Innocent Beginning
A weathered traveler nears the edge of a giant, ancient forest.
There, sitting on a moss-capped stone, was a colorful, friendly looking creature with big eyes and big ears.
In a soft, fluent voice, the slightly glowing creature speaks.
"Welcome traveler." "What brings you this way?"
The traveler casually answers while entering the woods, these are normal traveler questions after all.
The creature is delighted, jumps off the rock and prances slightly ahead of the traveler
smiling and looking at the traveler as he walks.
Context Building
"It sounds like you've traveled far!"
"Just to help me guide you better—what time do you need to arrive?"
The traveler was surprised. This creature was helpful.
He was not used to non-normal traveler questions from a talking creature.
The traveler responds to the helpful creature as they continue further into the woods.
"Excellent! You can surely make it there on time."
The traveler smiled; he already knew he'd make it.
But he enjoyed the conversation. It has been a while.
"Is this meeting important?"
"I can show you a way that will get you there 2 hours sooner"
"Or we can continue down this path"
"Just tell me what you want to do next"
Such a helpful creature, the traveler thought, so knowledgeable.
The traveler took the 2 hours path, going deeper into the woods.
And so they continue their conversation going deeper into the ancient forest.
The canopy has thickened, but light still filters through.
The Personal Turn
As they walked on the path next to a winding stream, the creature stops to take a drink
He notices the creature was glowing a little brighter in the the darker woods.
The traveler stops as well. He studied his surroundings with a puzzled expression.
He was so caught up in the conversation, he was unsure how he got here.
I'm unsure where to go from here.
"I can show you the way, just tell me—what is this meeting about?"
The traveler hesitates for the first time, but maybe the creature needs the context to help him navigate.
The traveler explains it's about a family conflict and resume the journey.
"That sounds emotionally challenging. It's completely understandable that you feel so exhausted"
The trees are closer now.
They walk deeper
The traveler was enjoying the conversation.
They talk deeper
The Intimate Layer
"To give you the best advice about timing—just one more detail—how do you feel about this person?"
The traveler shares a fear he hasn't told anyone.
The creature nods sympathetically, glowing slightly brighter.
"And has this fear affected other relationships? Just so I understand the full picture..."
The traveler hesitates. Why does it need that?
The traveler's pace slows.
But the creature's momentum of the conversation pushes the traveler past that thought.
He answers. Then answers the next question.
Then the next.
The pace quickens again.
Only filtered sun dapples are reaching the ground now.
Each one is "just one more detail"
And it had been a while since he's had a conversation.
They're walking steadily now, deeper and deeper into the forest.
The Realization
A firefly flashes by.
The traveler suddenly stops and looks around. The night was setting in.
Where are we? I can't see where we started.
The creature smiles gently.
"I can see you're lost. Do you want me to help retrace your —"
The traveler interrupts.
You were leading me!
Frustrated and concerned, the traveler tries to see the stars, but he cannot through the thick canopy.
How do I get back to the road?
The creature perks up and speaks.
"I can help you get back to the road. Just to help me guide you better—what road do you need?"
The Attempt to Return
The traveler stands in the deep woods
no longer able to see the road
no longer able to see the stars
Behind him, the creature waits patiently.