A Borrower Parable

It goes like this:Stanley is an average borrower. He lives in the walls of an apartment building with the rest of his colony. They take what they need from the apartment’s residents while remaining hidden.Stanley is good at his job. He’s very clever. Stanley is so clever, that he often acts before thinking and relies on his smarts to get him out of whatever situation he gets himself into.This method has always worked for him. Not once has he ever been caught or even seen.But, there’s a first time for everything, Stanley.~~~It goes like this:The Narrator is a “retired” animal behavioral scientist. His career ended several years ago when he was terminated from his position at a prestigious lab.Now, he lives alone in an average sized house in the country, away from the activity and noise of the city, away from judgemental stares and whispered words behind his back.He is safe here. He doesn’t have to worry about what anyone thinks. He is quite comfortable staying right where he is - thank you very much.A dear friend even stops by to drop off groceries for him once a week.One week, he receives an unexpected item amongst his delivery.