The Mountain Pass

 

Andy and Sam were best friends who lived in a quaint mountain town called Rivervale. This used to be a small village beside a river until a dam was built in the mountains. After the dam, the village gained importance and transformed into a town. The town, though, was precariously placed in a triangular valley formed by high rising mountains with only one entry and exit road. Behind them was the mighty dam and on two sides were giant mountains with impenetrable forests.

“Let’s do something adventurous,” suggested Sam one day when he was sitting at the local bar with Andy.
“Like what?”
“How about trying to find a way out of the valley through the forest?”
“You know it’s forbidden to climb that mountain!” Cautioned Andy.
“Oh come on, don’t tell me you believe that myth!”
“I don’t believe in myths, but I do believe there’s always a reason why stories exist. Do you know the reason?” Asked Andy.
“Well, yes,” said Sam. “The forest is impenetrable, they say. In the past, people have attempted to find a way and have never returned.”
“There, you have your answer,” said Andy raising his glass.

“Andy, those are stories of the past, times have changed now. Let us try something new. Don’t you worry about the fact that there is only one entry and exit to our town? Don’t you think there should be another?”
Sam’s questions got Andy thinking. “You’re right about that.”
“So, let’s give it a shot!”
“What if we get lost in the woods?” Asked Andy.
“No we won’t. We will mark the trees as we go so that we know our way back.”
“Sounds like a plan,” said Andy. “Let’s give it a shot, when do we try?”
“Saturday morning at 6 am I’ll pick you up from your place. We will drive up to the foot of the mountain, leave the car there and climb.”

As per plan they started climbing up the mountain early in the morning. They moved up, marking trees along the way, for almost two hours.
“It’s been over two hours, Sam. We can’t see a way out and we don’t even know if we are heading in the right direction.”
“You’re right,” replied Sam, tired. “What do you suggest?”
“Let’s turn back before it’s too late.”
Just then they heard some movement in the forest.
“Quick Andy, behind the bushes.”
The lads hid in the bushes, expecting a wild animal. They were surprised to see a hermit walking through the woods.”

“Hello there,” Said Sam as he suddenly came out of his ambush.
“Sorry, we did not mean to startle you,” said Andy. “Sam you should be more subtle.”
“He did not startle me,” said the hermit with a smile. “One must expect everything and expect nothing at the same time. Now, how may I help you?”
“We have been trying to find a way through the forest for a couple of hours but to no avail. Is there a way out? Or has our effort been futile?”
“No effort is ever futile, my friends. You will either find a way, or find there’s no way there. Rest assured, you will find one or the other and either way you will learn something significant. As for the forest, yes, there is a way.”
Andy and Sam were happy to hear that.

“Can you show us the way?” Asked Sam.
“Keep moving upwards for another thirty minutes, around a big boulder you will find what you’re looking for,” said the hermit.
“But can you come and show us the way?” Asked Sam.
“I can only guide you, friend. You must find your path yourself!”
“Thank you, hermit. We will try to find the way out,” said Sam.
“I really hope we find it,” said Andy, without any sort of belief.
“I don’t think you will,” said the hermit. Andy and Sam were taken aback.
“Why do you say that?” Asked Sam.
“You will find a way, when finding the way is the only option you have! Farewell, my friends, I have to get going now,” said the hermit and walked away.

Just as the hermit had predicted, Andy and Sam gave up their search after another hour and returned to the town. A couple of months passed and the monsoon season arrived. Heavy rains lashed Rivervale, giving no respite for days. This wasn’t new for Rivervale which was known to receive heavy rainfall. This year though, the intensity of rain continued to increase. Soon, the dam started to overflow. To their horror, some locals reported seeing cracks in the dam. The floodgates were opened but the rain was too heavy. Authorities were alerted who immediately sent engineers to the site. Before the engineers could make it to Rivervale, a landslide, triggered by heavy rains blocked the only road in and out. The town was cut off from the world and was helplessly on its own.

“We have to do something,” said Sam.
“What can we do?” Asked Andy. “There’s no way out and all communication systems are down.”
“We have to find another way out!” Said Sam.

“We have tried that before and failed.”

“Yes, I Know. But we must try to find a way once again.”
“And what if there is no way?”
“Then we make one!” Said Sam, brimming with confidence.
“Yes,” said Andy. “Remember what the hermit said. You will find a way, when finding the way is the only option you have.”
“Yes, my friend. That time has come now. Come, gather the equipment and meet me here in an hour,” instructed Sam.

Andy and Sam started making their way up the mountain slope. Marking their way using ropes and hacking their way through the undergrowth. They trudged through wet mud but kept going.
“We went towards the left from this point last time when we gave up,” said Sam. “So, this time let’s go towards the right.”
“Yes, let’s do that,” said Andy.
After almost three hours, Sam spotted a huge boulder.
“Andy, look,” said Sam pointing towards the boulder. “I’m sure that’s the rock the hermit spoke about!”
“Yes,” said Andy with a smile. “And right he was, no effort is ever wasted! It will always give you something, either success or a lesson. Come, let’s find our way out!”
They hacked and hued and finally came out onto an open grassland from where they could see a road and another town in the distance.
“We have done it, Andy. We have done it.”
Their eyes welled up with tears.
“Come, Sam, let’s go back and tell our people we bring hope. Hope of survival, hope of life.”
The mountain pass helped save the lives of the people of Rivervale and was named the Andy-Sam pass after the courageous duo who found it.