this is the way it is indeed

thank you for your concern, your many letters.  i know that some of you find my capacity to seemingly disappear disturbing.  but please know that it is to save you, my loved ones, from seeing me in a disturbed state.  only the animals can comfort me then, because they long to learn from me.  and so i have spent my months with the bears.  we are gentle with each other, but as i depart i fear that they may use what they have learned for evil and not for good.  i, archelon, can only do so much, i see that now.  more to come, as i return to my memories.  i will not fear the drifting.