In a wide valley crossed by many paths, there grew different kinds of plants.
Some were Stone Oaks, strong and unmoving.
Some were Vines, quick to climb and claim space.
And near the river grew the Reeds — known for a particular energy.
The Reeds carried Collaborator energy.
They sensed movement early.
They adjusted instinctively.
They bent before contact, so crossings could happen smoothly.
This made the valley work.
When storms came, the Reeds bent and did not break.
When travelers crossed together, the Reeds made it easy.
But near the crossing there was also a bell rope — meant only for moments when help was truly needed.
Over time, some travelers began ringing the bell not to cross,
but to signal.
They rang it to check if the Reeds were paying attention.
They rang it to test responsiveness.
They rang it because ringing felt like movement.
Each ring stirred the Collaborator energy of the Reeds.
Roots shifted.
Stalks prepared.
Space was made.
But often… no one stepped forward.
The bell rang again.
And again.
The Reeds grew tired — not from bending,
but from preparing to bend without contact.
One season, the Reeds learned something new.
The next time the bell rang, they did not move right away.
They waited.
When a traveler stepped toward the river, the Reeds bent gladly.
When no one came, the Reeds stayed rooted.
When a traveler rang the bell but demanded bending without stepping, the Reeds swayed gently and remained still.
Some travelers complained.
“The Reeds have changed.”
Others adapted.
They learned to step first.
They learned that the crossing worked better when movement preceded adjustment.
Over time, the bell rang less often.
And when it rang, it mattered.
The Reeds discovered an older truth about Collaborator energy:
Collaboration is not responsiveness. Collaboration is coordinated movement.
From then on, the Reeds listened less for bells
and more for feet approaching the water.
They still bent.
But only when bending completed a shared step.
And the valley became steadier for everyone.
⛩️🌿
