Journey Through Mountains: The Storm, The Climb & 17 Other Philosophical Vignettes

By David Gosselin

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Dragon Mountain 

A sage and pupil found themselves 
Before the foot of Dragon Mount. 

They readied themselves for the trek 
Across its dark and snowy grots. 

Tilting their heads, they watched fog 
Winding around the ancient spires. 

Like a slumbering dragon’s breath, 
It wrapped around each silent peak. 

“The legend says that many tried 
And lost their lives,” declared the boy. 

Squinting their eyes, they raised their heads 
And gazed upon the darkling heights. 

The master turned to him and said, 
“But have they crossed its cliffs and chasms? 

“And have they dared to make the climb 
Up Dragon Mountain’s emerald peaks?” 

“The people said that only fools 
Would dare such things,” replied the boy. 

The sage looked on and calmly gazed 
Upon the snowy mountaintops. 

“True knowledge will always be far 
For those afraid to climb its peaks.” 

The master spoke and then began 
To make the long and winding trek. 

The Storm

Among the snowy cornices  
And cold plateaus of foggy peaks, 

A master and his pupil made 
Their way towards the dragon’s grot. 

As both the sage and pupil fought 
To climb the ancient mountain tops, 

A storm descended on the twain 
With howling gales and scowling rains. 

In fear, and desperate for rest 
—Sweet solace from the storm—the boy 

Sought shelter in the dark defiles; 
He quickly found a narrow space. 

“Let us hide in those recesses; 
The elements are stern tonight.” 

“Let us make fire and gather round 
The warmth, until the storm subsides.” 

Although still eager to ascend, 
The master did agree to stop. 

They made their way towards a cave,  
Which offered them a place to rest. 

Alone, and sheltered from the storm, 
They lit a fire to warm their limbs. 

The humble flames crackled away; 
The elements raged on outside. 

The master peered across the fire;          
Watching the student pondering.       

And not a sound was heard, save for 
The crackling of the humble flames. 

Amid the calm, the student raised 
His head and met the master’s eyes. 

The old sage sat there silently; 
His eyes shimmered across the flames. 

“What most men fear more than the storm 
Is the quiet,” declared the sage. 

He stood up, then both the sage 
And pupil walked into the storm.