Lower AuSable Lake in the Adirondack High Peaks. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
One spring day, a man climbed to the top of a mountain, and beheld a view so breathtakingly beautiful it brought tears to his eyes.
He sat on the ground, and found himself more comfortable than he’d ever been, and decided that he would not move from this place, he would stay here, enjoying this amazing view for the rest of his life.
Each day, others came to the top of the mountain, many stayed, but others only gazed around them, and then continued on their way.
At first, the man didn’t notice the others, only the view in front of him, and each day he wept at its beauty.
As the man wept, he began to notice the others, those who only stopped for a moment, and then continued on their journey.
He called out to one and asked, ‘Brother, brother, how can you walk away from the most beautiful view in the world?’
The other man paused, smiled down at him and said, ‘I am not walking away, brother. I journey to become a part of it.’
The man looked at the traveler in confusion, ‘I don’t understand.’
The traveler reached out his hand, and helped the man to his feet. He pointed to the path that led up the mountain and said, ‘To get here, you traveled very far, and the way was not easy.’
He pointed to where the man had been sitting, ‘Here you found comfort, in order to regain your strength…’
He then turned, and pointed to the view, ‘… and a glimpse of where you’re going, in order to regain your will.’
He turned back to the man, joy and kindness shining from his eyes and said, ‘But this is not the end, brother.’
The man looked down the mountain and said, ‘But there is no path from here to there. Will I not get lost?’
The traveler smiled at him and said, ‘There is no path until you begin the journey. Each man’s path is his own, but throughout the journey, you will find signs to point you in the direction you should go, and there will be guides to help you along the way.’
The man said, ‘But I am afraid. I do not want to take the long journey alone.’
The traveler smiled again and said, ‘Brother, you will not be alone. Although each man’s path is his own, there are many of us taking the journey, and each place you need a friend, one will be there waiting, to share the path with you, until you’re ready to continue on alone.’
The man looked back at the path he had taken up the mountain, then at the place he had rested, then at the view he’d admired for so long, then finally he looked back at the traveler, ‘How do you know these things?’
The traveler smiled, and pointed to the edge of the clearing, where a faint path was slowly appearing. He held out his hand.
‘Because, brother, I have already begun my journey. I was sent back to help you begin yours.’
Thank you to all of my friends who have taken the time to help me along my own journey. I love you all so very dearly… this story is in honor of you.
Tags: destination, friend, Friends, guide, Inspiration, journey, Life, Mountain, parable, path, paths, stories, Story
Free, Fun or Interesting 
Recent Comments