The Boy and the Mountain

A young boy was walking along a road. The road was straight and flat and was surrounded by beautiful flowers and trees. He played with the butterflies and squirrels as he walked.

The next day as he continued along this road, he noticed that it had become less smooth and it started to go uphill. He stopped and looked ahead. In front of him stood a mountain and the road seemed to go right up the side. He smiled at the thought of seeing the world from the top.

He began walking again but it wasn’t long before his legs began to tire. He forgot about the butterflies and the squirrels. The road became more and more steep. At the end of the day, he did not notice the sunset behind him.

The third day he stared at the road just ahead as he continued his journey. The road became much more steep and wrought with brambles and boulders. With his head down and aching legs, he kept on.

As night fell he began to cry. The road had become perilous and cold. He had forgotten why he was walking but he kept on through the night.

Something tickled his cheek. At first he thought it was just another tear drying on his skin but when he reached up to rub his face he realized that it wasn’t a tear but a butterfly. He also noticed that it was starting to become light again and was amazed that he had walked all night long.

He looked up. He had made it to the top of the mountain. The sun was rising and he could see forever. It was the most wonderful sight he had ever seen and he was warm. The butterflies frolicked around him and the squirrels played at his feet.

Beyond this mountain stood even more mountains as far as he could see and although his legs still ached he started down the other side playing with the butterflies and squirrels, his heart full.