5. Discernment

“Why can’t I make a decision?” said the Stag.

“Don’t get it wrong,” said the Rat.

“When do you make your best decisions?” said the Wren.

“When things are clear. When I have the information.”

“And now?” said the Wren.

“Nothing is clear. Every option has a cost.”

“Then wait,” said the Rat. “Get more information.”

“How much would be enough?” said the Wren.

“I don’t know. More than this.”

“What are you afraid of choosing?” said the Wren.

“The wrong thing.”

“What makes it wrong?” said the Wren.

“If it fails. If they blame me. If I should have known.”

“He should know,” said the Rat. “That’s what leaders do.”

“Do you know?” said the Wren.

“I know what feels right.”

“Then what’s stopping you?” said the Wren.

“What if the feeling is wrong?”

“Has it been wrong before?” said the Wren.

“Sometimes.”

“And what happened?” said the Wren.

“I learned something.”

“So what is the cost of choosing?” said the Wren.

“I might be wrong.”

“And the cost of not choosing?” said the Wren.

The Stag looked at the River.

“I already know. I’ve known for a while.”

Silence.

“I’m not waiting for information. I’m waiting to feel safe. And I won’t.”

The River was calm.

If you recognised something in this dialogue, you're not alone.

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