Mountain Climbing With An Eagle

Viriya is standing in front of a mighty mountain. This is nothing new. There has always been a mountain in front of me, big or small. Viriya is a little person equipped with two legs and a will to keep walking. However, this mighty mountain she is facing is putting her off. After this mountain, there will be another one, and another one, and another one. This life is like a cursed life full of self-inflicted sufferings (hahaha), for she can never stop climbing mountains but there is really no one forcing her to. If you ask her, she will say she prefers the low lands and the beach... but she still chooses climbing mountains.

Up up up up...the mountain she went and that was when she encountered an eagle. They’re both going up anyway, so they’ve decided to keep each other company....until their destinations part them.

Viriya: Eagle, how long have you been travelling?

Eagle: Not very long Viriya, it doesn’t take me that long to fly up a mountain.

Viriya: Oh! Am I slowing you down Eagle? Oh I am sorry.

Eagle: It is alright Viriya. I am not in a hurry. I fly up and down the mountain all the time and my nest won’t go anywhere.

Viriya: Thank you for keeping me company then Eagle. It does get lonely sometimes travelling alone.

Eagle: But people always travel alone Viriya. You should get use to it.

Viriya: Not always. People have friends and they often travel together.

Eagle: So why are you travelling up the mountain alone Viriya? Do you not have any friends to travel with you?

Viriya: I do have friends Eagle!!!! Quite a number of them in fact!

Eagle: ....so where are they?

Viriya: They are travelling their own journeys. My task is to climb this mountain. My friends have mountains of their own to climb. Some chose to stay on the lowlands and spend their life in comfort for they are already happy where they are.

Eagle: I told you. People always travel alone Viriya. They come to Earth alone, and they will leave alone. Companions are always temporary, like me and you. Different destinations will lead us to different directions eventually.

Viriya: My destination for now is the top of the mountain eagle. Are you coming with me?

Eagle: Yes Viriya. (Flapping her wings and flew up even faster)

Viriya: wait! Slow down! Running uphill is not my forte. I’d rather walk please if you’re not in a hurry. (Catching my breath)

Eagle: Oh I’m sorry. I forgot that you don’t fly. Humans walk and run. Why don’t you like running Viriya?

Viriya: It’s too tiring. Walking takes me to the same destination just fine. I can also enjoy the surroundings better when I walk... and I don’t get out of breath... Oh...there are so many reasons why I dislike running.

Eagle: I see humans walking up and down this mountain for so many years. Some run, some walk, some even crawl! They all have their reasons for climbing up this mountain. What is your reason Viriya?

Viriya: I don’t have a specific reason for climbing up this mountain. I’m climbing up this mountain because I have to. It is in front me, blocking my way...

Eagle: Where are you trying to reach Viriya?

Viriya: I don’t know.

Eagle: You must have a destination before you start your journeys Viriya. Destinations help keep your focus so that you won’t go out of track.

Viriya: I don’t know where my destination is, and I don’t even have a map. I just know that I’m going up.

Eagle: You’re going up....and you’re going to go down as well Viriya.

Viriya: No....right now I am going up.

Eagle: and you will go down Viriya.

Viriya: Eagle! Listen to me. I am going up, not going down.

Eagle: Trust me Viriya. Once you’ve reached the top, you will start your journey down in a hurry. I’ve seen it too many times before. People want to reach the mountain top, but they never want to always stay up there.

Viriya: Why?

Eagle: Because it is uncomfortable Viriya. I know it. I am an eagle and I can tell you that there’s not much air to breath up there. It is stuffy, you can’t breathe properly and therefore it is uncomfortable.

Viriya: What is the use to climbing the mountain then if you’re not going to spend time up there? Why do humans climb mountains at all?

Eagle: I think it is because they want to know whether they can reach the mountain top or not. To get some sense of accomplishments I think.

Viriya: If it’s not comfortable and we can’t stay there forever, then why do we do it?

Eagle: Do you know that female eagles are attracted to the male that can fly the highest?

Viriya: No I don’t, I am not an eagle.

Eagle: well... humans who are more able are more attractive as well. The more successful they are, the more popular they will become. Being popular usually make people happy. People like to be happy.... so therefore, people will try to accomplish things.

Viriya: That’s an eagle way of thinking!

Eagle: Is it not true?

Viriya: I am not climbing up this mountain to be attractive, at least. I’m doing it because it is blocking my way.

Eagle: Your way to where?

Viriya: .......

Viriya: I cannot answer this question...yet Eagle. I only know that if I can reach the top of this mountain, then I can travel more beautifully towards my destination. This is the shortest way to travel and the most beautiful track. If I’m not successful, I will have to find another way which will be longer and more tiring and less beautiful. My plan now, however, is to reach the top of this mountain.

Eagles: We have the same plan, for now. Are you prepared about walking down Viriya?

Viriya: I have nothing against walking down Eagle. If anything, walking downhill is more comfortable.

Eagles: How?

Viriya: Walking downhill after having walked uphill for a long time is rather refreshing. If you do nothing but walking uphill all your life then you have a very sad and tired life. Walking downhill from time to time can feel like soaring. How do you feel when you fly downwards Eagle?

Eagle: It’s refreshing. Soaring down is refreshing...with winds blowing in your face.

Viriya: Walking downhill can give you similar feelings.

Eagle: Why don’t you start walking downhill now Viriya? Climbing up this mountain seems so difficult for you. Why don’t you always walk downhill Viriya?

Viriya: I can’t get use to walking downhill Eagle. Walking downhill from time to time is refreshing and feels like soaring.... but if I get use to it, it will be like falling. It will take longer to come up again like that.

Eagle: .....keep walking up then Viriya! My best wishes to you... don’t forget to walk down from time to time. If that will take you further from your destination, then just stop walking from time to time. My nest is just there... You might be able to see me on your way down, and I may come to greet you.

Viriya: Thank you.

Eagle: what will you do after this Viriya.

Viriya: I don’t know much about it yet....I don't know when or whre, but surely, it will be climbing up another mountain.

Eagle: ......(I can't tell if an eagle smiles, but I think it just did.)

This Viriya is probably reaching the top of the mountain soon. The real Viriya, in front of a labtop in a room in London is still at the foot of a mighty mountain. The journey upwards will start.....very soon.

Viriya