Parable of the Mountain

It was not Everest, though at first glance it seemed an impossible feat.

He stared it down, contemplating the trajectory of the descent.

A trail was there, but being alone, he did not chance the injury.

Yet the elusive mountaintop called him still.

At first he was resigned to waiting:

“I will try it again this summer.”

“I went further than I did last time.”

“I do not have to do this--what am I trying to prove?”

Walking down to the base, he ventured left and right of the main trail,

hoping for an alternate route.

None presented itself; the paths abruptly ending in overgrown vegetation.

“Maybe it is the only way up,” he thought.

Finally, he decided to explore the main trail again,

looking for secret passages that were blazed by others more adventurous.

To the right, a small path surrounded by overgrown grass rose up; barely used but exposing a feeble trail in the distance.

Slowly curling around in the direction of the original path, this less-steep alternative showed promise.

To his amazement, it grudgingly connected to the original trail at the top.

Steep but passible, he traversed the crooked mountain passage to victory.

Looking down, he knew the original treacherous path could have had disastrous consequences,

but his persistence had paid off.

No one saw this achievement; his sense of accomplishment was silent yet profound.

Though alone, he had followed the way of those who were brave enough to not give up.

Whatever your mountain may be, do not deem it impossible, even though a thousand

glances have presented you with the same impossible conclusion.

There is a better way.

Follow the path of those who succeeded where many have stared and pondered their failure.

Rise on their shoulders and on their backs.

Find a way.