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The Mountain

Siddhartha was born in the month of monsoon, in a small sleepy hamlet called Thione. He was a cute and a healthy boy born to a decent couple. The father was a craftsman and mother was teacher in the town school. They lived in their cottage by the green mountains of Thione. There universe was always peaceful and happy. Siddhartha grew up in an environment that was filled with love and care.

He was an efficient learner and was quickly taking his baby steps. The first word he uttered was “Maa..” that left tears of lasting joy in his mother’s eyes. He would play for hours with his toys and would then have his lunch made by his mother. The courtyard in the house had a swing. A baby Siddhartha would swing like a pendulum sitting over it.

One day his gaze fell on the green mountains behind their cottage. “Maa, what’s there in the green mountains? For how long they have been sitting there still?” He asked with an unmatched curiosity. “They have been there since a very long, long time.”His mother replied. “I would one day take a walk through the woods. Find out what’s in there.” He said. His mother saw the twinkle in his eye and was impressed by the adventurous nature of the boy.

The monsoon had left a lush green reminiscent blanket on the mountains. Once as a seven-year old kid Siddhartha along with his friends went down the path through the farmland towards the green mountains. At the base of the mountain, a path led up towards the pinnacle of the mountain. It was serpentine and full of trees on both sides. The children sensing an adventure started running into the forest with a certain unknown gusto.

Siddhartha was keen on entering the footpaths going deep into the woods entangled within the trees. “Let’s go in!” Siddhartha said and went inside the woods. The other kids stayed at the base hesitating to venture the dark woods. The trees with girdling branches twirled leaves and many shrubs were tall and gigantic. He just kept running in the woods setting aside the leaves and branches. He was panting heavily amidst the trees in a bid to deeper go in the woods. Catching up the breath he ventured in.

The footpath forked into two paths. He took the one that went right. Following the route he saw a beautiful lake amidst the valley created by the mountains. His eyes went up the hillock and he saw a road that went further into the woods much higher in the altitude. Wondering how to go there? He sat on the boulder next to the lake. The sky above was painted with a shade of blue. A flight of birds from the surrounding trees distracted him as his sight fell on the path going up.

He ran towards it ducking down a thorny branch. He went jumping like a deer up the green-tinged path. As he reached the main path, he took a left and kept running unaware were the path was leading him. His strides generated a positive momentum and he was running at a considerable speed. After a few ups and downs the road opened into a beautiful village. It barely had a few cottages amidst the lush green farmland.

It was a beautiful sight to behold. The paddy leaves had droplets of dew spread over them. Walking on the path between the farmland, breathing in the fresh air and soaking in the atmosphere was an exhilarating experience for young Siddhartha. He came back home keeping the images of the quaint village in mind, so that he could narrate their beauty to his parents and bring his friends along the next time he ventures into the woods.

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