A Parable

[indie]

You are going for a walk. After you've walked a little way, you come to a forest. Describe the forest ...

You walk into the forest, and find a path. Describe the path ...

As you walk along the path, you find a key. Describe the key ... What do you do with the key...?

You continue walking along the path. You find a cup. Describe the cup...

What do you do with the cup...?

You continue your journey, and you come to some water. Describe the water... How do you get to the other side of the water...?

You've been walking for a while. As you continue, the path divides: One branch goes uphill, and is twisted, narrow, and rocky; the other branch slopes downhill, and is wide and smooth. Which way do you go...? Why...?

Next, you come to a field. Describe the field... How do you get to the other side of the field...?

On the other side of the field is a wall. Describe the wall... How do you get to the other side of the wall...?

What is beyond the wall...?

I'll post the "solution" later. :smooch: This is really a fun one. . ..

The Interpretation (http://www.intpcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1497&highlight=parable)

[indie]

One more thing, try to provide as much detail as possible.

[Boneca]

OK, I'll try. I have done something like this a really long time ago, but I can't remember how it was supposed to work.


You are going for a walk. After you've walked a little way, you come to a forest. Describe the forest ... Dark, pine and spruce forest. (There aren't really any other type of forests around here...)


You walk into the forest, and find a path. Describe the path ... Shady, narrow and winding. You have to watch where you put your feet because of roots and stones.


As you walk along the path, you find a key. Describe the key ... What do you do with the key...?It's a small, modern key that glistens in the sun. (Though there was no sun, but hey, it glistens!) I put that in my pocket.


You continue walking along the path. You find a cup. Describe the cup... What do you do with the cup...? Broken, dirty porcelain coffee cup with some barely distinguishable flowery pattern. I leave it be, cause I'll dirty my hands by picking it up.


You continue your journey, and you come to some water. Describe the water... How do you get to the other side of the water...? It's a small, quiet forest lake. I find a way around the shore.


You've been walking for a while. As you continue, the path divides: One branch goes uphill, and is twisted, narrow, and rocky; the other branch slopes downhill, and is wide and smooth. Which way do you go...? Why...? I chose the uphill path because it gives better exercise and I might want to see if there is a view from the top of the hill.


Next, you come to a field. Describe the field... How do you get to the other side of the field...? It's an abandoned partly overgrown field surrounded by spruce trees. I walk across it, from one corner diagonally to the next.


On the other side of the field is a wall. Describe the wall... How do you get to the other side of the wall...?Eh, wall? We don't have walls around here! I could imagine a wooden fence. It is partly collapsed and overgrown with moss. I step over it in a place where it has fallen down.


What is beyond the wall...? The path I was following, I hope. Otherwise I'd have to go back to find it.

[Clara]

This Is Fun ! (I have to focus on other things right at this moment, but/and this is something I'll be doing, throughout that)

A make-it-easier-on-yourself tip (thanks to Johnny for the hint that we all need those :lol: ) - we might leave out the quote boxes for this one, to save scrolling.

[indie]

Yes, I figured I'd delay posting the "solution" or whatever until people have had a chance to mull over it; that way, you won't be tempted to "cater" your responses to what might be a more desired answer.

Anyway, if you've seen this before, it might not be as effective, but even then. . .it's still fun.

BTW, Boneca, your responses are startingly similar to my own (which I'll post later). Very cool.

[mgb]

You are going for a walk. After you've walked a little way, you come to a forest. Describe the forest ...

It is a dark and damp forest. There is a mix of conifers and deciduous trees making the forest floor nutrient rich enough to have a thick undergrowth.



You walk into the forest, and find a path. Describe the path ...

The path is not well trodden. It has a base of pine needles and bark mulch. It just rained so the path is faily muddy. It winds its way through the trees and around trees felled long ago.


As you walk along the path, you find a key. Describe the key ... What do you do with the key...?

The key was imbedded in the path. It is a newer style key, making me think that someone misplaced it. I leave it there so they can retrace their steps and find it again because they need it more than I do.


You continue walking along the path. You find a cup. Describe the cup...

The cup is clear glass with no handles or anything. It is pretty dirty from the storms and half filled with water from being right side up.


What do you do with the cup...?

Leave it because other peoples cups are gross.


You continue your journey, and you come to some water. Describe the water... How do you get to the other side of the water...?

There is a small creek. It is about 5 feet across and shallow enough that rocks are exposed. It was bigger during the storm because there is silt washed up on the sides of the shore. The water is clear now and you can see small minows swimming back and forth behind the rocks. I get to the other side stepping on a large rock in the middle and hopping across.


You've been walking for a while. As you continue, the path divides: One branch goes uphill, and is twisted, narrow, and rocky; the other branch slopes downhill, and is wide and smooth. Which way do you go...? Why...?

I take the path to the top. Its more interesting and I will be able to see where the path below goes.


Next, you come to a field. Describe the field... How do you get to the other side of the field...?

The field seems to stretch on for a while and comes out of nowhere. There is a worn path through the field that I follow. It is mostly grass and flowers and I can see rocks cropping up all over the field. It would be a nice place to have a picnic but I couldn't nap there, too rocky.


On the other side of the field is a wall. Describe the wall... How do you get to the other side of the wall...?

The wall is a loose stone wall. It isn't very high, maybe 4 feet. Easy enough to jump over.


What is beyond the wall...?

More forest. And above the forest a mountain.

[Durroch]

The forest is cool, and a slightly damp smell permeates the otherwise shady atmosphere. The trees are tall as cathedrals, and shade the area very effectively.

I find a slightly narrow, secluded, rocky path to walk on, and have to duck frequently to escape the branches, which I probably wasn't tall enough to hit my head on anyway.

A slightly tarnished silver key lays in the leaf mold of the path. I pick it up and find it to be slighly heavy. Seeing as how no-one has used this path for years, and no-one will likely be looking for it, I place it in my pocket.

A cup is found sitting between two trees on the side of the path. I simply look at it, and make a reamark to myself as to why there would be a rather plain tin mug sitting so.

I leave it there.

As I am walking, I almost miss a tiny rivulet of water running across the path. THe water is calm, running smoothly over a few stones and moss of a vibrant green further hides it. I simply step over the water.

I come out into a small clearing and find that the path has mysteriously split. I see the rocky twisted one, and choose it for the challege it poses and the solitude it suggests.


A field opens up in front of me, and I wince as the sun suddenly hits my eyes. Squinting, I see the treeline wraps around the feild, and I hug it to stay hidden in the shade until I reach the other side of the field.

I am astounded to find a great, grey stone wall loom high above my head, the crumbled mortar tops and weeds suggesting ruins or neglect. I walk the perimeter of the wall to find a way in to explore what the wall may be protecting.

That was really fun... Haven't let my creative juices flow in awhile!

[indie]

You are going for a walk. After you've walked a little way, you come to a forest. Describe the forest ...

The forest is towering above me, with an aura of excitement. Lodge pole pines and blue spruce pines peppered with quakies and other deciduous trees. There is a heavy woodsy scent that lingers, lots of moss. I hear birds and creatures scuttling in the forest.

You walk into the forest, and find a path. Describe the path ...

The path is narrow, but winding. There are fallen leaves and pine needles and cones on the path.

As you walk along the path, you find a key. Describe the key ... What do you do with the key...?

The key is large, heavy, and old, much like the old-time style of key. It has moss growing on it. I pick up the key and put it in my pack.

You continue walking along the path. You find a cup. Describe the cup...

The cup is a porcelain cup, a cracked and aged teacup. It lies on its side, with fresh rainwater pooled inside. The flowers etched on the cup are hand-painted, and there is an indecipherable symbol on the bottom of the cup.

What do you do with the cup...?


Leave it be.


You continue your journey, and you come to some water. Describe the water... How do you get to the other side of the water...?

The water is a river with both strong currents and clear calm spots. But it runs deep and seems dangerous, so I cross cautiously.

You've been walking for a while. As you continue, the path divides: One branch goes uphill, and is twisted, narrow, and rocky; the other branch slopes downhill, and is wide and smooth. Which way do you go...? Why...?

Uphill. . . still seeking a better view of my surroundings. I figure I will go uphill and if it reaches a dead end, I will retrace my path and take the low road.

Next, you come to a field. Describe the field... How do you get to the other side of the field...?

The field is green and lush, with wildflowers and a single grazing doe. I connect with the doe, looking into her eyes. We understand each other. (This actually happened to me, so it was the first thing I thought of)

On the other side of the field is a wall. Describe the wall... How do you get to the other side of the wall...?

Very long, winding, and solid. The wall is made of multi-colored stones and boulders that were mortared long ago. The wall is not high, so I am able to climb onto it. I sit on the wall to rest.

What is beyond the wall...?

A pristine mountain, topped with snow, looms in the distance. In between here and there are many different landscapes: valleys, hills, plains and desert. Mind-boggling in depth.

* * *

These are the answers I gave when I first took the test; they seem to have a certain truth to them. I'll post the interpretation of the selection first thing tomorrow morning.

[Durroch]

Please do! I'm intrigued, I vaugly remember reading about something like this once.

[zimbeline]

The forest is green deciduous forest: ferns, close oaks, maples, lindens, aspens. The light coming through the canopy is yellow green. The sounds are muted and almost silent. Very Peaceful.

The path is gravel, manmade and winding between the trees, somewhat overgrown because the path is not often used.

The key is large and tarnished silver. Old fashioned and intricately made. I examine the the key and then slip it into my pocket.

The cup is tarnished silver and intrecately designed with a twisting knot pattern covering the outside.

I pick it up to take with me because it's rather cool looking.

The water I come to is a stream bed. I step in and wade across the shallows, stepping on the rocks also to get across to the other side.

Where the path divides, I take the path going uphill because it's the less traveled by? Because I'm curious to see where it goes. The easiest path is boring. There might be something interesting at the end of the narrow, twisting, rocky path. The other path seems like it might lead out.

The field is golden waist high grass rippling in the breeze like water. I walk across it.

The wall is a low field stone wall running for a long distance in either direction. I climb over it.

What is beyond the wall? Another field and the land opens up before me. A village is in the distance, down the hill as the sun is setting.

[ApeTheDog]

You are going for a walk. After you've walked a little way, you come to a forest. Describe the forest ...

The forest is huge, old and dense. Vines hanging from the highest branches connect all the trees and strange sounds can be heard all around me.

You walk into the forest, and find a path. Describe the path

The path is straight, there are markers planted in the soil every few meters and all foiliage has been carefully removed so as to make walking easier.

As you walk along the path, you find a key. Describe the key ... What do you do with the key...?

The key is big and reflects light, which is why I found it so easily in the forest without really looking for it. I pick it up and put it in my pocket.

You continue walking along the path. You find a cup. Describe the cup...

It is a porcelain cup, blue, with roses painted on it. It's cracked and full of dirt

What do you do with the cup...?

I leave it behind

You continue your journey, and you come to some water. Describe the water... How do you get to the other side of the water...?

The water is a muddy pond out of which bells of swampgas occasionally blow up. I take a branch and feel along the bottom to find stable ground and then wade through it.

You've been walking for a while. As you continue, the path divides: One branch goes uphill, and is twisted, narrow, and rocky; the other branch slopes downhill, and is wide and smooth. Which way do you go...? Why...?

I go downhill because I trust that the path most trodden will be the one that leads me out of the forest.

Next, you come to a field. Describe the field... How do you get to the other side of the field...?

The field is full of corn. I don't understand why corn is in a jungle. I walk to the other side of the field unless I get eaten by a stalking tiger.

On the other side of the field is a wall. Describe the wall... How do you get to the other side of the wall...?

The wall is made up out of red bricks. It's very plain, straight and long. I walk around it.

What is beyond the wall...?

Civilisation. A town where other people live and from where I can arrange a way for me to get back home.

[prometheusdestroyed]

You are going for a walk. After you've walked a little way, you come to a forest. Describe the forest ...

Thick, dark, smells of rotten vegetation


You walk into the forest, and find a path. Describe the path ...


Thin, obscure, keeps vanishing under leaves




As you walk along the path, you find a key. Describe the key ... What do you do with the key...?

It's a silver yale key, clean. I slip it into my pocket



You continue walking along the path. You find a cup. Describe the cup...
What do you do with the cup...?
It's a metal army type mug. dirty from the ground. After examining it, I leave it where it is.



You continue your journey, and you come to some water. Describe the water... How do you get to the other side of the water...?
It is a wide rushing river with lots of rocky outcrops. I use these as stepping-stones across the river.


You've been walking for a while. As you continue, the path divides: One branch goes uphill, and is twisted, narrow, and rocky; the other branch slopes downhill, and is wide and smooth. Which way do you go...? Why...?
Up, because if the down path leads to a dead-end it will be dispiriting slogging my way all the way back up again



Next, you come to a field. Describe the field... How do you get to the other side of the field...?

The field is rectangular and surround by hedges. I walk through the middle of the field.


On the other side of the field is a wall. Describe the wall... How do you get to the other side of the wall...?

It is a low brick wall which I climb over



What is beyond the wall...?
Nothing, a view of the sky maybe

[prometheusdestroyed]

What happened to the answers?

[indie]

The Interpretation (http://www.intpcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1497&highlight=parable)

[Robespierre]

You are going for a walk. After you've walked a little way, you come to a forest. Describe the forest ...

Birch forest in mid-summer. Lush green, little undergrowth, rays of sunlight shining through.



You walk into the forest, and find a path. Describe the path ...

Dirt path, nothing well defined.



As you walk along the path, you find a key. Describe the key ... What do you do with the key...?

A solid gold housekey. Drop it in me pocket.


You continue walking along the path. You find a cup. Describe the cup...

Cracked styrofoam cup.



What do you do with the cup...?

Ignore it.


You continue your journey, and you come to some water. Describe the water... How do you get to the other side of the water...?

A small inviting pond. I walk around it.


You've been walking for a while. As you continue, the path divides: One branch goes uphill, and is twisted, narrow, and rocky; the other branch slopes downhill, and is wide and smooth. Which way do you go...? Why...?

Uphill, to see the view.


Next, you come to a field. Describe the field... How do you get to the other side of the field...?

Wide open, with waste-high grass. The path continues through it, I stay on the path.


On the other side of the field is a wall. Describe the wall... How do you get to the other side of the wall...?

A low, unkept stone wall, the sort found marking the boundaries of farms in England. I walk through the gate, which is an area where the wall stops for a few feet, then begins on again.



What is beyond the wall...?

The otherside of the wall is the same birch forest I pictured throughout the whole trip.

[Geoff]

Heh, as an INTP I just wanted to work out the underlying system, and mentally composed answers that might allow me to second guess what the interpretation would be.

Sorry!

-Geoff

[indie]

Just wanted to say that I think it is *very* interesting that most who have replied to this thread have chosen the "uphill" path, even though it may be more difficult, if only to get a better view of "the big picture."

That says a lot indeed. Perhaps it's often what we do in life. . take the less-trodden path, the one that doesn't necessarily seem practical at the time, but will give us that overall perspective needed.

Very interesting.

[Shai Gar]

You are going for a walk. After you've walked a little way, you come to a forest. Describe the forest ... the forest is green and seething with life, most of the life is trying to kill the rest of the life so it can feed off of its carcass


You walk into the forest, and find a path. Describe the path ... the path is barely tread upon and it goes everywhere, mostly going over very rough terrain


As you walk along the path, you find a key. Describe the key ... What do you do with the key...? the key is an old iron one and i put it in my backpack so i can store it later


You continue walking along the path. You find a cup. Describe the cup... the cup is rotten and mouldy, it has some sort of liquid in it, most likely infectious and poisonous


What do you do with the cup...? leave it where it is


You continue your journey, and you come to some water. Describe the water... How do you get to the other side of the water...? the water is murky and i cannot see the bottom, but it tastes fresh and it is very quick flowing. i tie together a few very long pieces of wood and lower it over the water, then i tie a rope around me a tree and the wood and cross


You've been walking for a while. As you continue, the path divides: One branch goes uphill, and is twisted, narrow, and rocky; the other branch slopes downhill, and is wide and smooth. Which way do you go...? Why...? i take the uphill path for the view because not many other people will have seen it, i can also take photos to show other people


Next, you come to a field. Describe the field... How do you get to the other side of the field...? the feild has long green grass and quite a few cattle, i take a stick and beat the ground ahead of me to drive the snakes away as i walk through


On the other side of the field is a wall. Describe the wall... How do you get to the other side of the wall...? the wall is cheap cement with iron bracings, it looks common but strong, i take a look over the wall and decide not to cross it ever


What is beyond the wall...? a beautiful nymphomaniac woman who is very intelligent, but i am able to coax her over to my side

[scarebear]

You are going for a walk. After you've walked a little way, you come to a forest. Describe the forest ...

The forrest is creepy at night, foreboding. During the day it is foggy, but picturesque, and not creepy at all.


You walk into the forest, and find a path. Describe the path ...

The path is like a regular path, except it is less worn, not too many people take this path.


As you walk along the path, you find a key. Describe the key ... What do you do with the key...?

The key is like a regular key, but it's old and rusty, and shaped a little oddly. Stil usable, though. Has unfamiliar looking numbers and letters on it. Can't make out the letters and numbers. I put it in my pocket.


You continue walking along the path. You find a cup. Describe the cup...

The cup is a cool aid cup like the ones my aunt got us from a catalogue. It's cherry, so it's shaped like a cherry and red.


What do you do with the cup...?

I put it in my backpack.


You continue your journey, and you come to some water. Describe the water... How do you get to the other side of the water...?

The water is cool, almost cold, and crystal clear, running over smooth rocks. I wade across if I run out of patience before I find another way.


You've been walking for a while. As you continue, the path divides: One branch goes uphill, and is twisted, narrow, and rocky; the other branch slopes downhill, and is wide and smooth. Which way do you go...? Why...?

I'll go uphill. I need the exercise, and it probably has more interesting things to see, since everyone probably always takes the other path.


Next, you come to a field. Describe the field... How do you get to the other side of the field...?

It's a wheat field. I walk across, going whichever direction I was going.


On the other side of the field is a wall. Describe the wall... How do you get to the other side of the wall...?

The wall is made with big stones, greyish in color. It's very tall, and uneven. I'll follow the wall until it ends.


What is beyond the wall...?

An abandoned train station.

[Vagabond]

You are going for a walk. After you've walked a little way, you come to a forest. Describe the forest ...
It is huge, the trees are quite tall and the leaves are dark. It looks like humans don't go in there much, yet there are paths to walk around (not too narrow, not too large). It is not spooky or frightening, yet it is intriguing - I want to explore as much of it as possible. You can't see the sky between the leaves, but it is not dark - just very shadowy. No sounds or breezes of air. It is kind of mysterious? Mystical? You get the idea.

You walk into the forest, and find a path. Describe the path ...
Already did partly, ahm... it is quite smooth, no thorns or stones or any other big obstacles; it is a natural path, not human-made and it is large enough for me to walk comfortably on. And it looks like it is going on forever, so I stick to it.

As you walk along the path, you find a key. Describe the key ... What do you do with the key...?
It is a big key, like the ones they used for medieval huge doors or something... made of iron, kind of plain, kind of dirty but not rusty - just a bit "injured" (can't think in proper english at this hour) and old. I see it half-buried on the side of my path, and of course I pick it up and take it with me, who knows if I can find the door it is used to open...

You continue walking along the path. You find a cup. Describe the cup...
What do you do with the cup...?
It is copper and turnt upside down. I pick it up, clean it up, I realise it is probably some other traveller's cup that fell off his bag or something, so it doesn't look special. I put it back where I found it.

You continue your journey, and you come to some water. Describe the water... How do you get to the other side of the water...?
It is a water spring that pours water in a calm, small river. The water is sparkling under some occasional ray of sun and it looks clean and cool. I drink some water from the spring and I walk through it to get on to the other side.

You've been walking for a while. As you continue, the path divides: One branch goes uphill, and is twisted, narrow, and rocky; the other branch slopes downhill, and is wide and smooth. Which way do you go...? Why...?
Well of course I want to go both ways, see what lies in both sides; I decide to take the uphill narrow path first, because it seems more intriguing - more peaceful (lonely) and interesting, plus it is preferable to take the hard path while I am not yet tired and go the smooth way later on... I make a note to myself that I will get back to that point, so that I can see where the other path leads too.

Next, you come to a field. Describe the field... How do you get to the other side of the field...?
Fields are boring. :p Anyways, this one only has grass and some occasional wild flowers; it is kind of big, but I want to see what goes after it, so uninterested I walk through it. It is sunny and warm too (which by my standards is a bad thing, lol) and I can see some bees or mosquitos gathered up in some parts of the field. I stay away from them.

On the other side of the field is a wall. Describe the wall... How do you get to the other side of the wall...?
It is a wall made of grey stone, looks kind of old and warn off. It is just a bit taller than me, so I am curious to look at the other side. I climb on top of it (it is not too hard, I'm just stepping on the stones and it is not a tall wall) and sit on the top to check what lies beyond.

What is beyond the wall...?
Now that's a problem. I have done tests like this one before, and I can never imagine what lies beyond the freaking wall.
(Checking the interpretations, it figures... lol).

[L. Bartholomew]

The forest id bare and snow-covered. The bark of the trees is cold and grey, life is nowhere to be seen. The sound of snow melting and trickling to the ground is overwhelming, and the sky is such a blinding grey that I am forced to shield my eyes. The wind blows bitingly cold through the trees.

The path is straight and the snow-covered branches arch over it, giving it the appearance of a tunnel r grand hallway. The snow upon the ath is untouched. I cannot see far along the path because the snow has begun again and is clouding the view.

The key is bent and unrecognizable. Just a twisted piece of metal. I hold it in the palm of my hand and turn it over and over as i walk on.

The glass is small with a chip in the rim. It is caked with mud and tinted green with age. I hold it up to examine it more closely and snow gathers inside. I place it upon a tree stump gingerly and move on.

I spy a tree which has fallen across the creek. I attempt to cross here despite the swiftness and depth of the rapids. Halfway across I lose my balance and tumble onto a flat rock jutting out above the water level. Soaked and chilled to the bone, I manage to stand and vault with a mighty leap to the other side.

I take the uphill branch because at the end of the smooth path I can see the sun coming out and the people living normal, average lives and I am repulsed. Despite my frozen limbs, I take the other way to avoid the people and their meaninglessness.

The field is nothing but tall, brown grass as far as the eye can see. It is snowing very hard so I can only see a few feet ahead, but I move frward nonetheless. Evenually, after what seemed like eternity, I emerged from the maze.

The wall is brick and solid, stretching on and on forever in both directions, fading into the haze of the blizzard. I spy a tree growing against the wall. I climb to the top ad stand surveying the view. I am stranded atop the wall, cannot get back down, but I can see forever in all directions.

Beyond the wall is a city, a great one, held under seige by the blizzard. And it sits upon a harbor where ships drift and out from journeys across the Atlantic.

[purple13]

The forest is quiet with ancient trees that are very tall. It's like being indoors with a very high vaulted ceiling.

The path is well worn and very wide with damp leaves.

The key is old and quite large, like it might be used for opening an old chest. I put the key in my pocket.

The cup I find is small and copper colored, perhaps tin. I pick it up and carry it with me.

I come to a small babbling brook, which I cross by stepping onto the stones that jut out of the water.

I go on the path that goes up, because it looks more interesting. Besides, I can always come back down later and go the other way.

The field is pretty big with tall grass, maybe about a foot high. There are wild flowers here and there. Not much in the field, pretty boring, so I run straight through it to the other side.

The wall is made of big old stones with vines growing on it's face. It's about 12 feet high. I use the vines to help me climb over the wall (how convenient).

Beyond the wall is a garden, and beyond that is a yard, and further on is an old castle. (Maybe the key to that old chest is in the castle).