《Stone Mountain》CHAPTER 1

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Stone sat cross legged on top of his massive granite namesake. Surrounding him were the few pine trees willing to attempt growth at such an altitude, as well as a few snow drifts piled feet high. The large boulder, upon which he sat, was both home and lookout perch for Stone. The granite boulder rested a few feet higher than the tops of the pine trees, was hallowed out on the inside to allow for living, and acted as a sentry watch against foes that had only been a threat in the Elder's memories.

Unconcerned about the threat of invasion, Stone spent his time on watch lifting heavier stones, befriending a blackbird and chopping wood. Maintaining the fire inside his home was almost as critical as his watch, since blizzards hit all year, he needed the boulder's warmth. At 21 years old, Stone was considered a "Spinster" by the village elders. He had failed to catch the eye of any women at the festival this year, and was given watch duty. Stone did not consider the outcome so terrible, he enjoyed the solitude and nature. Such traits that were not seen as favorable recently. The women this year decided they wanted men who were more social and bucked tradition. Stone learned long ago that tradition was what was left over after all the mistakes were made. He was not isolated or exiled from the village, far from it, he was celebrated as a great protector, given warm smiles and offered fresh foods by all when he returned. Of course the fact that he always returned carrying bears, boars, or stags likely influenced those smiles. Sometimes a boy or girl would wonder out to him, and Stone would teach a fun trick to tracking animals, or show which mushrooms would give them waking nightmares, but they always returned to the village, and he sat as Sentry, absorbing mountain wisdom by osmosis.

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Life on the mountain is work. Work means survival and survival is life. Work and strength is the religion of the mountain top. The elders of long ago had instituted the religion to keep everyone alive and strong. At first only the strongest children lasted to adulthood, and as adults, most only survived to forty years. The elders described this time as the time of growth. Man was weak before they lived in the mountains and had to grow up in order to survive. Like a plant, first shedding its seed like shell, many men were shed in order to allow the growth of the strong. Stone remembered how the elder described this, by showing a few tomato plants. The first men could not live long on the top of the mountain because of its great height. The elder pointed out a few of the withered leaves on the stem. The rest could handle the height, but could not protect themselves, and were eaten by the bears. The elder then showed withering flower petals on the tomato plant. Their sacrifice brought us the wisdom to live in harmony with the mountain. Killing only those animals who break the mountains laws. The Elder then showed a green tomato. These were the ones who worked, but didn't know how. They built walls incorrectly, their fires smoked visibly, their roofs caved in. These were those who tried too hard, and moved too thoughtlessly.

“We must respect their errors, were it not for them, we would not know how to live here properly” Said the elder in Stone’s memory. The elder then showed the ripe red tomato.

“This is us, we work hard, we work correctly, never giving in, never stopping, and we are allowed to thrive.” Said the elder as he took a bite out of the tomato before sharing it with a young Stone.

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