insurmountain
a parable
There was a mountain that many deemed insurmountable. One man, undeterred, enlisted the help of a sherpa who promised that he would help the man reach the very top. But the sherpa could only help him get half way up. The sherpa swore they would get there eventually, yet they never seemed to progress any further past that point. So the man set the sherpa on fire, cursed him, and left him to die.
While contemplating his next move, the man found a new sherpa that promised that he knew better than other sherpas, and could take him to the very top of the mountain. Together they climbed, making it only half of the remaining way, when that sherpa seemed to reach his limit. This sherpa also swore they would make it despite never progressing any further. So the man set him on fire, cursed him, and left him to die.
Next he started walking up on his own. He made it half of the remaining way when his shoes got stuck in muddy terrain. So he set them on fire, cursed them, and continued on barefoot. With bare feet he was able to grip the terrain better and walk up half of the remaining way before getting stuck again.
What to burn next, he wondered, before it dawned on him what he must do. So he set himself on fire, and the smoke rose up, all the way to the very top.
damn. a little grim. but at the same time, narratively perfect. well done.
No moral to that story- glad the smoke made it to the top