Monday, October 19, 2015

My Short Short for the Day


Ned had been waiting for this moment for years.  The planning, the preparing, the packing.  Researching the lightest, most durable equipment.  Testing it out on practice hikes.  Working out any issues so that this moment would be perfect.  Hiking mile after mile in all kinds of weather to toughen himself physically and mentally.  Packing everything precisely, knowing exactly how much each item weighed and how much of each item he would need on his journey.  He was strong, stronger than he’d ever been.  He was tough, ready to take on anything this mountain could throw at him.  He stood staring up at the beautiful snow covered mountain, imagining his triumphant cheer as he reached the top.  His grin spread across his face as his day dream played out.  Nothing could stop him now.  He took a deep breath of the chilly air and lifted his foot to begin his grandest adventure.  But then his stomach made a rumble.  Not one from hunger but rather…uh, oh…he raced off to the restroom...

A short time later, Ned stood proudly at the base of the mountain, a little paler than before but ready to meet the challenge.  He took a not quite so deep breath of the chilly air and raised his foot.  He paused for a moment and smiled in relief but as his foot touched down, the rumble came again…

Another short time later, Ned staggered to the snowy edge of the mountain.  He grasped his walking sticks and stared up at the climb ahead.  He took a deep breath and tried to smile but the rumble hit before he could even raise his foot…

Some time later, Ned dragged himself out of the bathroom, leaning heavily on his walking sticks he made it to the edge of the snow.  He tilted his head, squinting up at the snow covered mountain he struggled to find his grin but just as he was starting to feel the excitement return, so did the rumble.  “Oh, c’mon!”  He threw down his sticks, stomped to the bathroom and slammed the door behind him.  

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