This story fits very well with one I have been writing for a week in my mind, most often during hypnogogia. I have not yet started typing it as I cannot know that it is complete until I finish the book (I have about 30 pages to go) upon which it will be partially based, Narcissus and Goldmund, by Hermann Hesse. Actually, my fourth read of the book, the first being 40 years ago, and this read being my first since my spiritual awakening. I can give you links to two prior works of mine and I'm sure you will connect the dots. https://medium.com/new-earth-consciousness/my-reaction-to-two-recent-pieces-on-the-concepts-of-divine-feminine-and-divine-masculine-1f9b899faa17 and https://medium.com/know-thyself-heal-thyself/the-human-spirit-duality-e456c0729e99

I will add now that my new essay will expand on the duality point to make clear that HUMAN only exists as both specially created animal and specially created soul.