a story for all to enjoy
The Man of the
Mountain Who
Walked to the Sea
By David DiPasquale
Once there was a boy who was walking upon the path. It was a path that journeyed at the base of the mountain, and that boy loved to walk upon the pathway and look up at his mountain. In truth, he continued in this manner for many turnings of the seasons.
One day, so to speak, he did determine that he would climb the mountain, and just as he was determining, there came to him his friend, the great bird, who sat upon the limb of a tree at the base of the mountain.
“Oh, hello bird,” said the boy-nearly-a-man.
The bird looked at the boy-nearly-a-man.
“Bird, I have decided to climb this mountain.” The boy/man thought to himself, and within his thoughts, he wondered why he had made such decidings. “Bird,” he continued, “I don’t know why I am going to do this climbing.”
The bird looked and still said nothing.
“Bird, speak to me. You have done so many times in the past. Speak to me. I am uncertain of my decidings.” With those words, the man sat on the pleasant grass just opposite the tree where the bird did rest upon the branch.
The man waited, and in his waiting, he did hope that the bird would speak to him. And the bird did.
“You have walked upon the path around the mountain all of your youth. You have played and discovered. You have napped and dreamed many times. We have met and we have spoken together along this pathway.” The bird stopped for a moment.
“It is true, bird. What you say is true,” said the man, nodding.
“And now you are feeling the call to experience your stepping away from this pathway.”
“Yes, it does feel that way,” agreed the man.
“And you want to know if your deciding to climb the mountain is correct?”
“I . . . I suppose that is what I am wanting.” He paused for a moment and then continued, “But bird, I know that I will never know if it is right for me to climb the mountain until I do just that!”
The bird said nothing but watched the man.
“I know that it wasn’t until I walked upon this pathway around the mountain that I did know what it was like!” Again the man paused and thought. “I remember, bird; I remember when I was deciding to journey all the way around the mountain. I was but a small boy, but I felt inside of me that I simply had to; I had to follow the pathway all around the mountain. And I did.”
“I remember,” said the bird. “I remember when you did that. And I remember when you lay down under this tree and slept and dreamed.”
“Hmm . . . I . . . I don’t remember lying here and sleeping and dreaming.” The man tried to remember.
The bird watched the man. Soon the man laid himself down under the tree and fell asleep. He dreamed a dream that he had journeyed to the very top of the mountain and stood proud and strong upon the peak. While there, he looked outward and surveyed the glorious land set before him in whom he saw valleys of tall pleasantly green grass resting ever so slightly upon dunes and knolls of pure and sweet beauty, scattered rolling plains, and beautiful bounteous mountainous ridges. The vastly captivating, impressive mountains appeared so graceful and powerful in there immovable stance, and indeed they were sure to soothe any soul for a thousand years. A presence of alluring hilltops was lit up with admirable tree tops that seemed to be moving and dancing with every passing breeze surrounded the picturesque dreamlike scenery. A feeling of wonder and compassion filled the man’s heart. Nature was surely shining down its richness and glory for the man to reflect upon. At that serene moment the man’s soul was peaceful enough to eavesdrop and hear the incline of the radiating sunshine. He was at peace with his environment. Beyond the colossal mountains rested the tranquil sea. It was then that he heard the sea. It called to him in a very graceful manner. In the dream, he floated from the top of the mountain as if he was flying with the many beautiful birds, and he soared along to the outskirts of the sea. There he spoke with the sea and the sea so perfect in its ways provoked thoughts and tapped into the man’s brain as nobody or anything has done before. Then the man awoke from his dream.
“Bird, have you been watching me and my dreaming?” he yawned as he spoke.
“Yes,” said the bird. “I have been watching. Now I will say to you again, I remember you lying down under this very tree and sleeping and dreaming. Do you remember?”
The man laughed, slapping his leg and then standing and looking directly at the bird. “Bird,” he exclaimed, “you have always surprised me in so many ways!”
“It is my job,” said the bird, and he flapped his stunning wings, spreading them outward, preparing to fly.
“Bird, wait! Please wait,” beseeched the man.
The bird sat again on the branch of the tree and looked at the man.
“Bird, I have heard the sea and she called out to me.”
“Yes, I know. It was a sweet and true calling.”
“The sea beckoned me to her, to ride upon her, to know her, to indulge my senses in her.”
“Yes I know. It was a pure and true calling.”
“Bird, I wish I could fly right to the sea. If I could . . .”
“Come,” the bird interrupted. “Come upon me and we shall travel.” And when he said the words, he spread his gorgeous wings and flew down to the man. The man climbed atop the back of the bird, and with one swift movement of his wings, the bird did lift them both from the land and began to fly so well and smooth . . . fly over the mountain, over many enchanting mountains.
The man felt as though he was dreaming, but he was more awake in his heart and soul than he had ever been. The man saw many pleasant lands and many mighty mountains, many rich valleys, many peaceful rivers, many graceful creatures. When the bird came to the edge of the sea, he settled himself upon the land. The man climbed down from the back of his friend, the great bird, and placed his feet at the edge of the sea.
“Bird, what do I do now?” he asked.
“What has the sea invited you to do?” asked the bird.
“To go upon her, to know her, to journey upon her.”
“Then it appears that is what you will do,” said the bird and he quickly flew away.
“Bird!” The man watched the bird fly away, back toward to land and the mountain. He looked to the sea. It was grand . . . and calling. He looked in this manner for three days.
On the morn of the fourth day, a man from the land at the edge of the sea walked toward the man from the mountain. “Hello there!” he shouted. “I’ve been watching you stand there for three days! What are ye waiting for?”
“Oh,” said the man, as if he was awakened from his viewing. “I am to go upon this sea, and I don’t quite know how.”
“Ah,” said the man, “Come with me.” And he led the man from the mountain to a boat. He pointed to the boat, “This here is my boat. It has carried me upon the sea for many a time. It is a good boat and knows the sea better than I do. This boat will carry you upon the sea. It is yours now.” He motioned for the man from the mountain to have the boat and to venture forth upon the sea.
“And what will you do without your boat?” asked the man from the mountain.
“There,” the man pointed toward the land. “There, I will go there. I had a dream of a mountain and a bird. I’m going to find them.” And he began walking even as he finished his words.
The bird saw. The bird saw both men, the boat, the sea and the hearts of the men. He saw the man of mountain step in into the boat. He saw the boat move out to the sea. And he saw the man walking toward the mountain. Soon he would lay himself down to sleep and the bird knew - knew he would be at his side when he did awaken. He whistled one whistle, and the creatures of the sea knew - knew that the man and the boat were in their care. It was the way they had been for many a turning of the seasons: the bird of the mountain and the creatures of the sea caring for the man of each.
* * *
That is my story, beloved beings. Blessings to you, dear ones. Blessings to you and your dance of life. Blessed be we who have the gift of knowing you. Blessed be the lightbeings as they come about you. And blessed be the Earth for all that she has done and continues to do in the care of those who reside within her and upon her. Blessed be the totality of ALL THAT IS as it is manifest within physicality. Until we speak again dear ones, peace~