Moon and Mountain (a story)

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On another planet the sun is hidden behind a mountain and the moon stands full with its eerie light. The inhabitants are in constant search of escape, of finding some passage around the mountain, some way to find the sunlight. They are tired of night living, they are tired of moonlight. There is a deep place that craves the direct light of the sun. 

But, one day the people become convinced that the moon is the only real thing. They are convinced that the moon is their God. They give up on their strange search for the other side. They lay it down and choose to combat the pain with simple things, numbing things, hard work, no work, drugs or health food, piety or hedonism. They lie down in their large bedrooms or they stand up on an underground train. 

The search is forgotten. It is no longer receiving attention from the best minds . .. it is sheer madness and utter foolishness. No one looks upon the great mountain with anything but disgust and occasional fear. Disgust because it takes up so much space, fear because it represents a very old way of thinking and consumed the thoughts and plans of many of their great ancients.

(The art is by Tara A. Campbell)


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