Mother Denali

The Great One

Dedicated to all those who were tested by the mountain and remain grateful, and for all those who have never returned.

Mother Denali looked down at the small group of climbers nestled in their tents. She thought to herself, Let me test them. They've come to my slopes to reach my summit, but I must test their intentions. And so she conjured up a vicious storm.

The winds blew at high speeds. The snow fell in piles from the sky. The climbers huddled in their tents. Even with thick sleeping bags, their feet froze through the nights.

"I'm reaching my breaking point," exclaimed one climber.

"I can't take it anymore," complained another.

"Let's see who will be the first to fall," the first one sneered.

There were other climbers who did their best to remain positive despite the fear.

"I'm grateful to be here," said one.

"We're not here because it is easy. We are here because it is hard," said another.

"This is when we grow," said a third.

Mother Denali smiled down through the storm at those humble climbers. These few are here for the right reasons. I will grant them passage. But I will not allow these others to pass. They wish only to add me to their list of conquests. How dare they complain upon my slopes.

And with a fierce resolve, Mother Denali increased the intensity of the storm until the bitter ones at their breaking points broke and started their way down the mountain.

And when they were gone, far, far away, Mother Denali sent all the clouds away, revealing the sublime beauty of her ridges. Her snow-swept slopes sparkled under bright blue skies.

Under her long, watchful, loving eyes, Mother Denali granted passage to the remaining climbers who persevered. They ascended her razor-sharp ridges, making their way to the summit with hearts filled with gratitude, joy, and awe.

Mother Denali knew that these climbers would share the majesty of her peaks with the world.

And so they did.

A story by Pemba Umoja