Did you miss Part I or Part II?
The man was much clearer now and I could see the rigidness in his stance. His hands were shoved deep into his pockets and his face was drawn tight. His hair was blown by a fierce, swirling wind which made the gusts I had felt below seem more like a breeze. And yet this man stood firm. What power he had! I longed even more to be near him.
As I rose to continue the climb, the wind increased. Its velocity seemed to grow with every step. Occasionally I would brace myself against a tree until, finally, there were no more. I sank to the rock, trembling, shaken by the realization that it was all I had left to cling to. In the wild wind, I had become totally dependant upon it for my survival.
I rose once more, this time with renewed determination and commitment. Clinging to the rock, I crawled up the rest of the incline until I reached a small ledge just below the top. Here I was able to rest for a moment and, for the first time since I had begun my climb, I lost sight of the man.
Tomorrow: The Man on the Rock – Part IV
