The Mountain That Refused to Rise

A mountain once chose not to grow, though the earth pushed upward beneath it. Surrounding peaks mocked its modest height. Travelers overlooked it, seeking grandeur elsewhere. Yet the winds favored it, and animals nested in its quiet slopes. One spring, a violent quake shattered the taller mountains, sending avalanches crashing down. Only the humble mountain remained unharmed, steady as always. When asked why it never rose to meet the sky, it