The Foot of the Mountain/Anthony David Vernon

The Foot of the Mountain

There was a village situated upon a plain which was overshadowed by a great mountain.
In this village there was a young man who pondered what could be seen from the peak of the
mountain. After years of hesitation the young man finally decided he would ascend the
mountain.
The young man traveled to the foot of the mountain and saw a weary climber descending
the mountain. Once the climber reached the foot of the mountain the young man approached then
asked the climber, “how did you climb the mountain and what did you see when you reached the
peak?”
The climber answered, “I used a belay, rope, crampons, probes, a harness, and carabiners
to scale the steepest part of the mountain. When I reached the peak I saw the village in its
entirety upon a quilt of grass.”
The young man found this method of climbing too difficult so he stayed at the foot of the
mountain waiting for someone who could grant him a different method of ascension. Hours
passed when a fatigued hiker descended to the foot of the mountain. The young man solicited the
hiker, “how did you climb the mountain and what did you see when you reached the peak?”
The hiker responded, “I took a long path with slippery sections, rickety bridges, and
unsturdy foundations. When I reached the peak I saw gliding birds, whispering clouds, and the
stationary sky.”
The young man found this pathway too dangerous so he once more waited at the foot of
the mountain hoping for someone who could grant him another method of ascension. Hours
passed when the young man saw an old man causally descending the mountain. The young man

hurried towards the old man when he reached the foot of the mountain. The young man
questioned the old man, “you look unworn by the climb, how did you climb the mountain and
what did you see when you reached the peak?”
The old man coolly replied, “since the mountain ascends so must my feet.”
The young man was confused and pestered, “what path did you take?”
The old man calmly remarked, “one that got me to the peak.”
Annoyed, the young man demanded, “where is this path?”
The old man told the young man, “it starts here and continues upward.”
The young man realized this old man wouldn’t t tell him how to climb the mountain so he
recalled, “you never told me, what did you see when you reached the peak?”
The old man plainly said, “the mountain.”

My name is Anthony David Vernon, the piece I am submitting totals at 425 words, is it a philosophical short story. I’d also like to let you know I have recently received my bachelors in history from the University of Central Florida. Anyways my work is attached in the email. 

Bio: Palm trees, the Atlantic breeze, and pelicans do not define the typical suburban experience. This bizarre mixture of the mundane and the natural defines the writing of Anthony David Vernon. Anthony David Vernon has had written work published in a variety of outlets including Cabinet of Heed and Grey Journal.