Jake and the Quest for Success

Chapter 7: Trail Blazing

 The wind made a furious swooshing in Jake's ears as he walked towards the mountain. Stopping to examine a sign placed in front of the path, the sign showed a map of the mountain's trail system. From this map Jake concluded that he needed to take the red path to get to the top. The red line showed the trail Jake would have to take it was only 5 miles long. When Jake looked out towards the path it was the steepness of the trail that frightened him. He could walk 5 miles to the top and back, but he didn't know if he could do it with what appeared to be close to a 50% grade incline. Jake pondered only for a moment about giving up, but when he looked back at Mr. Gron he felt too embarrassed to give up. The only option he had was to walk on forward down the trail. There was no turning back and with this Jake willed his feet forward stepping onto the trail with his wobbly right foot then the left followed the right and the right foot not wanting to be passed up by its partner quick took another step forward. Back and forth Jake's feet when right, left, right, left, it was a repetitive motion and Jake found peace in this repetition. As the human brain often does as it looks for patterns. Without much effort Jake followed this pattern, soon the repetition became faster as his pace quickened and he broke out into a sprint.

Faster and faster he went repeating the left and right motions with his legs which grew sturdy and steadfast in their conviction to keep Jake standing up right. Briefly leaving the ground together in the mysterious and majestic flight plan that all feet take when running will sadly happening to quickly for any onlookers to see. It can't last forever and soon Jake was coming to a stop panting like a dog trying to catch his breath. Leaning over with his hands on his knees as he tried to support his body now that it was running out of energy. He looked up and saw a sign in the distant. Figuring it must be important he slowly began a more mellow pace to go examine the contents that it contained.