In the ancient highlands, there lived a young climber named Tenzin. His dream was to reach the top of the highest mountain, Shringa, which had never been scaled. Every day, he trained—building his strength, his endurance, and his skill. But the higher he climbed, the harder the path became. The thin air, the jagged rocks, the fatigue—it all seemed designed to push him back."
One night, after a long day of climbing, Tenzin sat on a rocky ledge, staring up at the peak that still seemed so far away. His body ached, and doubt crept into his mind. 'Maybe I’m not meant to reach the top,' he thought, disheartened.
As he sat there, an old monk appeared, making his way down from the mountain’s peak. Tenzin looked at him, astonished.
“You’ve been to the top?” he asked.
The monk smiled, nodding.
“How? I’ve trained so hard, but I’m not sure I can make it.”
The monk sat beside Tenzin and pointed to the sky.
“Do you see the stars?” he asked.
“Yes,” Tenzin replied.
“They shine brightly from a distance, but they are not reached in a single leap. The mountain peak is like the stars. It isn’t conquered in one mighty step. It is reached through patience, persistence, and one small step at a time.”
Tenzin’s heart lifted as the monk continued,
“The mountain does not give its summit easily. But every step, no matter how small, brings you closer. Don’t focus on the peak; focus on the next step. And when you doubt, remember: even the strongest climbers were once where you are now.”
Tenzin felt renewed. He realized that the struggle wasn’t a sign to turn back—it was part of the journey itself. With every step, no matter how slow, he was getting closer to the summit.
He rose the next morning, ready to continue. Not because the peak seemed closer, but because he understood that the climb was the key to reaching it.
