Seek the Higher Peaks

A Grandfather's Wish

Seek the higher peaks, said the old man to Umoja as he lay on his deathbed in Rongai, on the border of Kenya and Tanzania, not far from Mount Kilimanjaro.

"But I don't want you to die, Baba," said Umoja to his grandfather.

"None of us can live forever in this world, Umoja, but I will always be here." Baba conjured up all his strength to lift his hand from the bed and touch Umoja's heart.

Umoja grabbed Baba's hand. "If you will go, then I am coming with you."

"One day, Umoja, you will come to join me, but not for many years. Promise me this—life is so short. None of us have a lot of time compared to the life of an ocean, or a mountain, or even a tortoise or an ancient tree. So we must live while we are here. Promise me, Umoja, that before you come to join me, you will seek the higher peaks in life. Don't rest here in Rongai all your life like I did. Go out and experience the world.

"After I die, I want you to take my ashes to the very top of the great hill that we see every day—the highest point in all of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. Spread my ashes there and remember my words."

Just then, Baba closed his eyes. The grip in his hand softened, and his arm fell to the bed. There was one last exhale of breath, but Baba would never inhale the air again.

A tear dropped from the eye of Umoja. "Baba, Baba, one day I will join you. I will never be afraid to die because I know you will be waiting for me on the other side. Until then, I will heed your words. I will live by them every day. I will seek the higher peaks."

A story by Pemba Umoja