The rockface.

He called himself Smanit. It was a term he had heard the human creatures use in his presence. Ever since the glaciers receded from the area and his face was exposed anew to the sun and elements, he had noticed them. Standing erect on two legs, these animals were different. They weren't there before the ice, but they showed up soon after it had disappeared. How he enjoyed watching them fish in the nearby streams; the children played across from him and he marveled at their antics. He began to look forward to their presence.

Days became years which, in turn, became centuries. Activity was all about Smanit. Deer would nibble at the grass beneath him. Flowers would grow above his eyes - how he loved the colour that they brought to his face. Trees would tickle him as their branches stroked the surface of the rock when the wind blew. And there were always the two-legged creatures to watch.

One day Smanit noticed that man, as he learned to call them, began to climb many of the cliffs about him. Apparently, they enjoyed the challenge of ascending slopes and overcoming obstacles. Some did it freehand, others used ropes in their bid to overcome gravity. As time continued to march on, as it did without mercy, the mechanisms involved in climbing evolved. How interesting it was to see the new techniques and equipment being used; each year brought new individuals, methods, and devices to the surrounding crags.

Although he had seen much in the way of the attempts and successes in climbing, Smanit had never experienced the event himself. Climbers would ascend in places beside, across from, and around him, but never on him. How he longed to share the experience his brethren had enjoyed as these human creatures scurried up their slopes.

His rockface, Smanit knew, was steeper than most; some had considered attempting the climb but amended their plans when facing the ordeal. With each passing year, his hope for the experience was dashed. He would be always forced to watch, never to participate, and the prospect saddened him. Then one day, something wonderful happened.

Two climbers, well prepared and seasoned mountaineers, stood at his rockface. He expected them to depart at any moment, but found, instead, that they attended to their craft with an unusual diligence. The ring of a hammer was heard as a piton drove home into his skin which was as hard as granite. Then another and another. Before long he felt the tickle of rope being passed across his face. He broke into a smile; the men were up to the challenge and showed progress. Each step, clenched handhold, and inserted device was made with care and precision. Up they went, inches at a time, until they had covered all that he was.

Smanit smiled. News of their successful ascent would travel and others would come. He wouldn't be lonely anymore.

Thanks for reading.     Ericspix     Eric Svendsen