DOTLAN EveMaps

u'\u201c\u2026and the bloated Rock perched itself on the top of the mountain, gloating and wallowing in its own self-esteem.

\u2018Look, Mountain,\u2019 the Rock said. \u2018Look at me on top of my own mountain.\u2019 But the Mountain answered:

\u2018Foolish Rock, look beneath you. Your mountain is unbalanced. It cannot support you.\u2019

The Rock looked down, and saw it was true. The Rock could hear all the little rocks in the mountain groaning beneath its weight. \u2018Maybe my mountain will crumble, but I got to the top, as I set out to do; I fulfilled my dream.\u2019 the Rock righteously said to the Mountain.

\u2018Yes, but then what?\u2019 The Mountain enquired. \u2018You had a good place on the side of me; you were in the light, with the wind caressing you and the sun warming you and the moss licking you.\u2019

Suddenly, the mountain the Rock perched upon, collapsed. The Rock felt itself being dragged down; it toppled down the mountain side and all the little rocks came in its wake. It hit the ground and the little rocks piled in front and back and the sides and on top the Rock. It was trapped beneath all the small rocks that it had gathered for its mountain; they squeezed it tight and the Rock felt like it was suffocating.

\u2018Mountain!\u2019 it wheezed weakly. \u2018Help me!\u2019

\u2018What can I do?\u2019 the Mountain said. \u2018You brought this onto yourself. You couldn\u2019t be satisfied with the place I gave to you; you had to get to the top. And now look at you, trapped beneath your own mountain forever.\u2019

\u2018But it was my dream,\u2019 the Rock sobbed, \u2018everybody has got to have a dream.\u2019

\u2018Not if your dream is based on a fantasy, rather than reality.\u2019 The Mountain replied sagely and went back to sleep.\u201d

Ray of Matar, revised

ROMSS
We are the Mountain'