The Climb

Alongside withered leaves and fallen twigs, Nelly crawls her way towards the entrance of Eighteen Peaks Mountain Park. She belongs here at the park, she’s sure of that, but the climb has been exceptionally demanding these last couple of days.

Perhaps it is the doubt within her that is slowing her down, this immense burden caused by ‘the need to be perfect’. Expected to be smarter, sharper, faster, she often wonders when she will be good enough for this world. Once in a while, Nelly will mindlessly wander around the park, or conceal herself in her shell until she is ready to face whatever lies ahead.

Fortunately, Nelly is hardly ever alone on this climb. Every so often, a jogger passing by would bend down and ask if she is okay. Humans are gigantic compared to Nelly, yet for some reason, she feels a stronger connection to them compared to her fellow snails. It is probably because humans also want more than the basic needs of having food, water and warmth. They strive for goals and dreams and ambition, and so does Nelly, she wants more.

In that split second, Nelly realized that there is absolutely nothing wrong with her, she is just different, that’s all. Not better, not worse, simply different. ‘So I should just move at my own pace’, thought Nelly, ‘what is the rush? I am a snail after all.’

Now the distance between herself and her goal does not matter to her as much. ‘I will get there, eventually.’