Niggle's Lack of Companionship

All groups during yesterday's discussion, I felt, found that "Leaf by Niggle" is an intense representation of the human condition. This tale exemplifies a need for balance, an inablilty to find balance, collaboration, humility (or lack thereof), and obsession. However, I feel that it missed a huge component of the human condition: a need for companionship. People need companionship, whether it just be friends, colleagues, romantic partners, or anything else. "Leaf by Niggle" shows a super fun dichotomy between Niggle and Parish through their level of companionship. The tale presents Niggle as a lonely, bitter man. He doesn't just lack a wanting of interaction, he detests it. Parish, on the other hand is presented in an opposite fashion; he seems happier predominantly because of his wife, and cares for her very deeply. But as the story progresses, we see Niggle begin to crave set interactions, specifically while in the "hospital." When he is able to leave this "hospital" and find Parish, he enjoys the company, the understanding, the help, and everything else Parish is able to provide to him. But at no point did Niggle every really crave companionship the way that I feel would reflect the human condition. So I guess, I'm curious as to whether you think Niggle having craved companionship would have changed your interpretation of the story?