In the early 1990s, there was a teacher who was bringing one of his many students on a journey to a far away place - a mountain. Now this student was young and knew little of his teachings. Neither did the student understand where they were headed.


The student was michievious and playful, though she enjoyed the teacher's company, she hardly followed his teachings. On the journey, a group came over to pick a fight. The sutdent almost went for it but the teacher said "Dont Fight" in a loud booming but calm voice.


The teacher decided that the student should attend lessons, to know of his teachings, which are essential for the journey. However, the student never truly paid attention during lessons and did not like her fellow classmates. She found it a bore and One day, told the teacher, "I'm off, I dont want to listen to these anymore". She left along a path that branced from the path to the mountain. The teacher's heart ached terribly.


The path alone seemed good initially, to be 'free', she thought. Thickets along the path scratched her skin and scarred her. But she brushed it away. There were times she wept over the painful wounds but soon cast them aside and limped on. She did not remember her teacher, who had always cleared the path for her.


Loneliness crept to the student along the way but she put on a brace front. She stumbled many a times but braced herself to continiue, only to wander aimlessly. She had fights along the way with those who threatened her.


Then one day, she recalled the says she never needed to defend herself. She recalled the loud booming voice and thought back. 'Teacher!!' she thought, and earned to find him again. Only a short distance away, she found the teacher standing and waiting for her. He had always been with her! But she had kept hhim away, wanting her 'free' life.


The teacher led her back to their path and healed her of the scars and wound from thickets and fights.
By now, the student had grown older - 5 years older. And she could understand things better but her heart is less sensitive. Through teachings the teacher would change. Change the heart of this student of his to the one she had five years ago.


Their path ahead is not smooth. There will be valleys of death and dark tunnels to go through. There will be wilderness to endure through. But now, the student makes a decision. "Teacher, I'm going though this sea in front, to leave the world that I've known. There is no going back but it is a must to reach the mountian - Mount Zion"



The sea separated forming two great walls on either side. the student strides into dry sea bed, with the teacher holding her hand.