Deep inside the forest lies a boulder at the edge of the river, it’s smooth face slopes steeply with only a few indents and crevices to scar its surface. For generations it has been rooted in this spot, challenging all who pass. Perched on the top of it is Man and far below stands the child of Man. Man takes many forms upon this boulder; today he is in the form of Doubt. As the child nears the boulder, his eyes trace the daunting path up the front and his gaze meets the glaring eyes of Doubt that look down upon him. “Foolish child,” Doubt brooded. “you have not the strength to climb this.” And the child lowered his head in shame, but a voice called from the river, soft and gurgled it was. “Do not listen to Doubt, dear child.” said the Trout who swam upstream. “It’s merely a matter of mind. Anything is possible if you want it bad enough.” Determination flooded the child’s heart. If the Trout could swim against the raging current of the river, he could ascend the rock. The child charged towards it, leaping as the Trout had and began to scale the red face that taunted him so. One step, two steps, three steps, four… the child’s foot slipped and down he fell. Up above, Doubt transformed into Fear. “Foolish child,” Fear brooded. “did you not hear me? The way is not safe.” Again, the child lowered his head in shame, but a voice called from the trees, high-pitched and squeaky it was. “Do not listen to Fear, dear child.” said the Squirrel who leaped between the branches. “It is okay to fall sometimes, even I have fallen from the trees before. Quick, get up and try again.” Determination flooded the child’s heart. If the Squirrel had fallen from so high yet still leaped fearlessly between trees, he could ascend the rock. The child rose to his feet and brushed the dirt from his clothing and once more, he charged towards it, leaping as the Squirrel had and began to scale the red face that taunted him so. With six great strides on all fours like the creatures of the forest, finally, the child reached the top. Up there, he was shocked to see that Doubt and Fear had vanished, perhaps they had never truly been there. Down below, timid as a stray cat, a second child approached. “Doubt and Fear are gone, fellow child. Listen instead to the Trout in the river and the Squirrel in the trees and join me.” said the first, reaching out a hand with a welcoming smile to the one down below. “How beautiful it is up here without Doubt and Fear blocking the way. Come share it with me.” he said and the one down below smiled back, determination seeping into her heart.