How The Climber Got Horribly Crushed

A climber was traveling through a small town high in the mountain as he sought out a path to the mountain top when he noticed a monk sitting on the side of the road.

The climber asked the monk, “Hey there, I’m looking for the mountain top, which way should I go?” The peaceful and serene monk didn’t say a word, he just gently nodded to a path which quickly curved up into the woods. The climber was pumped as he figured the mountain top was easily in reach, so he hurried off on the monk’s path. Then, out of nowhere came a huge sound, Crush!

Soon the climber stumbled back to where the monk was still sitting. He was bruised and a little rattled but he again asked the monk the same question figuring there was a misunderstanding the first time, “I’m looking for the mountain top, which way should I go?”

Yet again the peaceful and serene monk didn’t say a word, he just gently nodded to the same path he did the first time.

The climber was puzzled, but he hiked off once more down the path the monk directed.

However, this time the Crushing sound was earsplitting! When the climber hobbled back to the monk he was busted, bleeding, and barely able to walk.

He was also really angry as he yelled in the monk’s face, “I’ve asked you twice now how I can get to the mountain top and I’ve followed your directions perfectly. Yet, I got Crushed both times. Now, stop nodding and speak.”

That is when the monk, still peaceful and serene, finally opened his mouth and said, “That is the way to the mountain top. It’s just after you get badly Crushed.”

Moral of the story: We’ll never make it to the mountain top in our lives if we turn back every time. That’s why we must push forward, so that we can successfully live the most complete version of ourselves.