The sun had sent its messengers of joy through the branches of the towering trees, which seemed to have clothed the mountain in garments woven through millennia. They still stood majestic and proud, the adversities of time had not brought them down. I did not know what season it was.
The forest of fir trees seemed endless, and I had only just begun the journey of life. I could no longer see anyone, as though every living being had vanished from around me. I seemed to be a survivor—or perhaps the only HUMAN left on Earth. I had resolved to reach the summit, that sacred place where the mountain meets the sky and where man becomes one with God.
I had resolved to reach the summit, that sacred place where the mountain meets the sky and where man becomes one with God.
I had set out from the foot of the mountain filled with hope and enthusiasm. I was convinced that my youth would enable me to overcome anything. I had travelled only a quarter of life's journey, and within me burned the desire to reach the peak as swiftly as possible. Without even realizing it, I had left behind the colours of Spring, which I had never taken the time to behold.
Without even realizing it, I had left behind the colours of Spring, which I had never taken the time to behold
Pride urged me onward. It told me to keep going, never to stop, but only to climb higher—along dangerous paths, across mountain ridges, and among colossal cliffs. Only then did I come to understand that, on my journey, survival had to be essential; that the struggle for life was far more important than pride. I accepted my destiny and began to climb, and climb again... And suddenly, I had left behind the colours of Summer, which I had never taken the time to behold.
I resumed my ascent. I had already travelled well beyond the halfway point of my journey, but exhaustion had begun to weigh upon me. Each morning, the Mountain of No One fixed its gaze upon the bold wanderer who sought to conquer its heights. It felt like a wild mustang, its thick, gleaming mane tossed by the wind, furious with the daring rider who challenged its spirit. In truth, I had entered a path even more difficult, even more perilous than before. The sun seemed paler now, scarcely able to follow my footsteps along the winding trails. And weary as I was, I left behind the colours of Autumn as well, which I had never taken the time to behold.
I climbed with increasing difficulty, and the air grew thinner and thinner. I was suffocating. A cold wind had surrounded me. My steps had begun to freeze, and still the summit lay far ahead. Fear had nearly taken hold of me. Only the fire within gave me the strength to continue my journey to the very end.
Only the fire within gave me the strength to continue my journey to the very end
And when old age had finally come upon me, I left behind the colours of Winter as well, which I had never taken the time to behold. I never found the time to contemplate the colours of the seasons... only the seconds, the minutes, and the years that swept past me like a storm of dust.
I never found the time to contemplate the colours of the seasons... only the seconds, the minutes, and the years that swept past me like a storm of dust.