‘Companion’ was there also. A comely person. “Why do you fret?” he asked. “Is not this wood enough?”

But to Gabriel, the charm of his companion, the food filling his stomach, the easy feeling after his long walk – all pleasant – were not enough.

And once again, the path parted. “Where is the way?” he cried aloud.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

But like Thomas, Gabriel cried aloud “How can I tell the way if I do not know where I am going?”

He searched still for the sheepfold because beyond that, he knew, lay the heavenly mountains.

But there were so many ways. Was not companion enough? Because companion was company, but Gabriel sought more: He sought truth.