Ladders

Heryshaf had just drifted off to sleep when he heard a small, hard voice near his ear.

He shook himself awake.

Although he was alone, he was certain someone was speaking. He pulled himself together and was shocked to overhear the little stone next to him in deep conversation with the mountain.

Heryshaf kept his eyes closed and listened so as not to seem nosey.

The little stone called towards the summit.

“What is the secret of your great height? I am so low in the scheme of things and would so like to know how to get to where you are.”

The topmost stone on the mountain spoke.

“As I was saying, a very long time ago I was once like you are now, small and crushed at the bottom of the pile. And for many years I stayed that way.

“I too had a great desire for height and so I tried to climb on top of other stones so that I would be bigger and better, but every time I fell back down again.

“It took me a long time to realise I could not become any bigger, any stronger. I could not rise any higher by trampling others underneath me. In truth, they would let me down when I needed them most.

“And in time I realised that true strength comes through time and faith and consistency. And having stopped looking outside myself for answers I began to find the one I sought.

“As I became a humble and solid step for others so I too increased in stature.”

The little stone thought about this.

The mountain continued.

“Solid. Steady am I. A firmly anchored rope for whoever would use me to climb.

“I could advise but could never lift. I could reach out but must be met halfway.

“Whilst I learnt patience, I experienced great loneliness for it is true that loneliness is the price of great height. And who can bear that price?”

“Oh highest stone of all,” said the small stone, “I am curious how you managed to stay high when the multitude at the bottom had so much more company and comfort. It must have been so tempting to let another take your place and retire to the bottom of the pile.”

Again the mountain hollered.

“I must commend you, little one. For in asking the right questions you shall surely find your answer.

“It must have been in my one hundred thousandth year when I realised that the top and the bottom are exactly the same place. There is an illusion in one's mind that separates them.

“However, many years ago a stone that I respected said to me that climbing is for the strong of mind and idleness for the weak of spirit. Just those words were enough to keep me from the bottom.

“And so it was that I got on top of myself and vowed to never go under again.”

“You are already so high, just how high do you think you can go?” said the little stone.

“I'm not sure,” said the topmost stone. “Someone once said that the sky is the limit, but I don't believe that.”

“So when will you stop climbing?” questioned the little one.

The mountain thought for a moment.

“I guess when there is something better to do.”

Heryshaf smiled to himself and slept at the mountain's foot.

In the morning he walked down out of the heights, the little stone's question still in his ears.