The Land Beyond the Mountain🔊

Once upon a time in a distant, forgotten corner of the world, a small tranquil village lay nestled amid rolling hills and beautiful green pastures. The village of Kilka thrived in harmony with nature and was known far and wide for its breathtaking sunsets, rich folklore, and the amicable villagers. But the focal point of countless stories was the immense, mysterious mountain that stood on the outskirts of Kilka.

Every day as the sun descended beyond the colossal mountain, the villagers would gather around the central bonfire and share tales of the mountain's mystical powers and the land’s unforgettable past. Legends spoke of a magnificent land beyond the mountain, where cities were made of gold, where eternal youth was a reality, and most importantly, where every soul was at peace.

Among the inhabitants of Kilka, there was a young boy named Avram. With bright sparkling eyes full of curiosity and a courageous heart, Avram had a love for adventure. As the years passed, the stories of the golden city beyond the mountain increasingly fascinated him. He dreamed of exploring it. On the eve of his 18th birthday, courage and curiosity fueled him to undertake the journey, to climb the mountain and see what lay beyond.

Loaded with supplies, memories of his village, and hope in his heart, Avram embarked on his journey. The path was filled with brambles and treacherous slopes, a harsh contrast to the tranquil, inviting environment of Kilka. He carried on, motivated by his dreams.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, Avram faced snowstorms, encountered wild animals, and fell into ravines. Yet his spirit remained unbroken; his resolve remained intact. After countless hardships, when Avram stood at the summit, he watched the sun dip behind the silhouette of the golden city as told in the ancient stories.

Avram's joy knew no bounds; his dream was now a reality. He proceeded to explore the golden city, exploring its alleyways and magnificent buildings, and meeting its inhabitants. He found out they were just as amicable and kind-hearted as his fellow villagers. He savored their food, learned their culture, and imbued their wisdom.

Yet, after a few days, a sense of longing crept back into Avram’s heart. The golden city was even more beautiful than he had imagined, but he missed the little cottages of Kilka, the green pastures, the village bonfire, and the amicable faces he had grown up with. The golden city had everything, yet it felt incomplete without the warmth of his village.

With a heavy heart, Avram decided to leave the golden city and return to Kilka. His journey back was just as arduous, but his longing for his village made every step easier. Upon longing awaited return, Avram was greeted with cheer and love from his fellow villagers. He recounted his journey, the stories of the golden city, and how he came to realize that happiness, no matter how attractive and gilded it seemed, could never replace the joy of being home.

Avram's story spread far and wide, serving as a reminder that the lure of the shiny unknown was enthralling, the true joy lay in the comfort of home, in the love of the familiar and the warmth of kinship.

Many years later, on a day much like any other, an old man sat at the base of the mysterious mountain, looking out at the humble village of Kilka. A faint smile played on his lips, Avram, the village elder, content in his decision, after all these years, even as his gaze shifted between the golden light of the setting sun and the tranquil village hearing the sweet echoes of his tale.