The Story
The traveler reached a fork in the path where a Gate stood under a sign shaped like a question mark.
“Is it open?” asked a curious hedgehog.
“I don't know yet,” she said.
“Is it closed?”
“I don't know that either.”
The hedgehog looked at the Gate, then at the traveler. “Do you need a committee?”
“Probably not. Maybe a walk.”
So they walked. They noticed the moss on a stone, a surprisingly loud bird, and a puddle that contained an excellent upside-down cloud.
When they returned, she still wasn't sure. But she was less frightened of not knowing. She left the sign where it was. There was no deadline written on it.