And Elal, the chosen son, had to beware, for he was being hunted by three elements: wind, ice and cold.
- Ancient legend of Chonek poeple, original inhabitants of southern Andes

At first, I marvel in my utter isolation. My people have always expressed a desire to travel back in time, and standing amidst such barren lands, it seems as though I have been transported to a prehistoric period. Carrying the dreams of my people, I continue on, entering vast valleys of grey rock and green growth. I am the torch, the flagbearer, trodding on untouched ground, an explorer in time and place.

Scanning the primordial emptiness before me, I find myself searching for dinosaurs. Only after a minute of scanning the horizon do I realize that they have not trod this terrain for millions of years. But I feel their presence and unconsciously, I glance over my shoulder, half-expecting a triceratops to approach with wonder. As I make my way through the deepening valley, I set my sight upon the jagged mountains jutting out of the earth like a fist pumped into the air, defiant and proud. I approach without fear; after all, I am an ambassador, having been dispatched to document the details of my drift across this mysterious continent.

Standing at the base of a majestic mountain, I look up in wonder. Yes, it is my duty to climb, to conquer this grandiose rock, setting an example of my people's strength. I begin my ascent amidst blue skies and warm weather, ahhh, a blessing from above, I reflect. Every moment I obtain a deeper understanding of my selected status. Climbing in altitude, I feel the gradual decrease in degrees as a chill ushers forth from above. Unperturbed, I use my inner strength to sustain my struggle. Soon though, the cold is assaulting me with its Antarctic iciness. I find myself seeking warmth for my frozen limbs, trying to quell their numbness with my body's fleeting warmth. Weakened by the freeze, I am slowed to a sluggish step and am debilitated to the point of exhaustion.

Just when I feel I cannot continue any longer, I suddenly hear a voice, and quickly turn around. "Elal! Elal!" Who is there? I thought I was alone! "You cannot see me, but you can feel me," it said in a wispy, yet forceful voice. "You have felt my chill, now it is time for you to hear my words!" Overcome by the moment, I crumble to the ground, suddenly very afraid of this unseen character booming above me. "Your people think they have conquered me with fire, but there was a reason you were born without it! Look at what you have done with what you call a great invention – you have used it to kill and maim, exploding bombs on the heads of innocents! Don't think I have not seen your bombs and do not think I am impressed! Do not make me unleash my force upon your people – remember what happened in the last Ice Age!"

Standing up to the unseen force, I shout: I will pass along your message, just please let me live to tell it. "My son, you must continue the journey, for you have more to learn! I will let you pass and will withdraw my chill! Continue on and do not forget my lesson!"

The Antarctic oration, though humbling, does not crush my spirits; in fact, it provides me with strength, for it proves that I am truly being guided by the forces from above. I regain my footing and hike on to higher ground. As I climb, I notice a change in the environment enveloping me. Fertile land digresses into less vegetative terrain, as deep green gives way to an austere auburn appearance. The abundance of life I had marveled at below is diminishing to a shred of its original splendor. Almost mirroring this lessening level of life, the wind is starting to whip wildly. As I feel its force foment, I wonder if it too will try to weaken me. But braving the elements, I persist, keeping my sight set on the peak I am quickly approaching. To reach the summit will be a true victory for my people, I reflect, maintaining my strength.

Within minutes though, the breeze becomes a blustery blow and I find myself arched forward in an effort to maintain my balance. As its force increases, I marvel in the way so strong a force can remain completely unseen, omnipresent yet seemingly invisible. But before I could continue my contemplation, I am floored by it's bracing blow. Now knocked onto my back, I put my hands up to my face to protect myself from the flying debris that seems to blow towards me from every direction. As I sink my head into my hands, I once again hear a thunderous voice and this time I don't bother looking behind me, for I know I am being assailed by another enraged element.

"You think you have such force! What you have is empty - feel me, this is force! The wind hears all – I have heard of your destruction! Your infamy travels with you!" Looking skywards and speaking to an unknown force for the second time, I stammer something about not meaning to disturb the peace I had found. My answer though is met with a harsh reply, "Tell your people to change their ways or I will use my powers to sweep them away. It seems as if my tornadoes and cyclones are not enough warning, so here I am making it clear to you – make a transformation or feel a real force!"

But with this last annunciation of the winds words, the air suddenly returns to its serene state. Taking the tranquil air as another sign I am meant to succeed, I regain my footing and continue on once again, only now I feel haunted by the natural phantoms that lurk above me. Who would be next to attack; perhaps a livid llama or an enraged eagle? Without the wind's force or the cold's presence, my arduous climb continues. Ascending above the valley below, I reflect upon my vaulted position. I have survived the wrath of the gods and am perched among the clouds, having reached an altitude that few living creatures can handle. The steep incline is starting to wear on my spirits though, as I find myself struggling to inhale enough oxygen to keep me strong.

I soon reach the uninhabitable terrain of snow and ice and though I am having trouble keeping my footing, I marvel at my privileged status among the icy peaks of the mountains around me. I am within a short climb to the summit, the pinnacle of my journey, ready to claim victory for my proud people. Gaining strength from proximity to the illustrious accolade, I persist, getting closer and closer. But when I am within a few steps of the prized peak, I encounter a patch of ice that sends me sliding south. Grasping for a foothold, I am able to slow my descent and attempt the ascent once again. But the ice patch seems to grow before me, enveloping me with its slippery slickness. Driven by my imminent inclusion in the inner sanctum of mountain glory, I try again and again but each time am sent flying down the mountain, the frustration of the fall growing in force. I was exhausting myself and losing my confidence. How could I come this far and be turned back now, I reflected, lying amidst the frigid snow.

One more time, I promise myself, standing to face the obstacle once again. I take one step and then another, somehow gaining just enough traction on the ice, using my gentle approach to slowly rise towards the summit. All I need is five steps more, yes, now four, now three, two more and wow, here I am, one more step to go. But all of a sudden, whoosh, my feet fly out from beneath me, sending me sailing into the air, landing heavily on my back, knocking the wind out of me. But that is not the worst part, for I soon slide down the mountain peak, limbs flying in every direction. As I try to slow my tumble, my head hits the ice with a jarring force. Finally, I come to a stop and there I lay, heart and soul in shambles. And as if on cue, I hear a deep laugh as the mountain seems to tremble, "So, it seems you still don't see the error of your ways. It is I who has a perspective to look out on the world. I can see your follies. Look at me - I have been here for millions of years. You march in here with your phony confidence, really it is arrogance, thinking you can conquer anything in your path! But you are nothing - your stay here has been but an eye-blink in the grand scale of time! Learn from me, child, what you lack is modesty – what you need is staying power! You are nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing..."

As the icy king's words faded into oblivion, I am left to ponder his words. Painfully rising to my feet, I finally realize I was not meant to conquer this glacial god. Descending carefully, full of pain in all parts, I reflect on the mountain's message. But though I understand his pitiless proclamation, what bothers me is the wrath of his words. Unlike the ice and the cold, the snowy mountain leaves me no room for hope. He has truly crushed me in body and spirit. As the friendly sun descends, going out in a blaze of glory across the sheltering sky, I am truly alone. There I wander, aimless, a nomadic traveler without an ounce of direction. With the arrival of night, the desolation I had earlier found so limitless and empowering now feels oppressively empty, leaving me vulnerable and vacant. Body aching from my fall and confidence crushed by the tall testimonial, I stand amidst the lonely plains, contemplating my fate.

Traveling on is pointless; I cannot return to my people mired in failure. I sit in cold dejection, demoralized beyond words. But when I look to the distant horizon, looking for an answer, I lay eyes upon the most beautiful sights: a new, crescent moon rising into the purple night sky. The sight of this celestial sign is an immediate comfort, for unlike the angry masculine mountain and his harsh cohorts, the lunar lady above possesses a much more maternal presence. As I lay there, eyes locked on Miss Moon, I soon hear a faint, calming voice, "Elal, my son, do not fret. You have come so far and have been so brave."

Yes, I replied, hoping that unlike the enraged elements, my mother-in-the-sky will answer me, but I have failed. I have disgraced my people.

And that is when she makes it all clear to me, "Elal, it is not you who has disgraced your people, but your people that have disgraced you. It is their actions, their disrespect, their greed that foiled your courageous attempt. You need to share your lessons with your people, for they are the ones that need to learn from the ire of the elements. I will provide you with light for your journey for the next two weeks and will guide the way for you. Take pride in your actions; you are truly a torchbearer for your people and they need you more than ever. Carry forth with dignity, and keep in mind that your life has been spared by the wind, the ice and the cold for this very reason. You have an important message to carry forth, now you must share it and help your people change their ways. You are my son and I impart my love to make you strong. Now go with grace, my love."

And there you have it, confident city boy meets nature's wrath and in the most pressing of moments, amidst hallucinations and premonitions of utter failure, it is his mother's sweet image that gives him strength to go on and carry forth. I always said you meant the world to me, mom.

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