Mountain Climber (COMPLETED)

3

She walked with the man for another two years before the land which had been sloping gradually upward finally became the mountain. By now she had been fully in the woods for nearly a year. Often when they were walking Segarra thought, Daddy was right! The woods do have really cool things if you look. But the days came when she stepped on thorns, or got cold from the lack of sun under the trees, and she wished she could be back in her meadow.

Now Segarra and the man were standing at the base of the mountain. The trees and undergrowth were thick here and she couldn't see up the mountain at all. Her field of view had been condensed to only a few sloping feet head of her.

"You must drink, Segarra. Come to the spring."

Segarra obeyed and made her slow way through the net of vines to the spring. She dipped her hot hands in the refreshing water. After taking a long drink she splashed a handful of the water on her face then turned to the man. "I'm ready. Is it time to start my climb?"

The man looked lovingly at her. "Yes. You are ready."

Segarra smiled as the man led Segarra back to the base and motioned a path. The path was not like the one she had been walking on ever since she began her walk. That path had been clearly trodden and was smooth. This path was barely visible through the dense thicket and it was not smooth. Roots, rocks and dirt clods cluttered the path. Unsure, Segarra looked at the man. "Daddy, are you positive this is the way?"

"Have I ever led you wrong in the past?"

Segarra thought back to a time in the meadow when she had strayed off the path. Nothing had ever been so scary. Not knowing where she was...not knowing where the man was. But she had called for him and he came. She remembered her relief at seeing him and her amazement at how quickly he led her back to the path.

Seeing the man waited for an answer she quickly replied, "No, never."

"Then go."

"Aren't you coming with me?"

"I will always be with you. You won't see me from now on, but I am always there."

"I won't see you?" Segarra's breath came faster and faster. A tear appeared in the corner of her eye.

"Not any more, but I am always with you. Now go. You must start."

"But what if I lose the trail? You said some mountains don't have trails"

"Always go strait ahead. You will find the top if you always go strait ahead."

With tears streaming down her cheeks Segarra turned to the mountain. But in one swift movement she was turning back around and flying into the man's arms. "I love you, Daddy," she sobbed. "Please don't leave!"

"I will never leave you, Segarra. You must go though."

Segarra stepped back wiping tears from her face and nodded. "Ok." She looked at him. "Bye. I love you, Daddy!"

"I love you too. Go."

With a heart as heavy as lead, Segarra stepped forward, onto her mountain.