And the Mountain...

One day, as the sun rises over the mountain peaks and pours into valley below, your mother takes your tiny hand and leads you out of the village. Similar to every morning, you sit down in front of the village shrine and begin to pray. This morning, your mother does not take your hand again, but instead straightens the ornamental bells hanging from your head and leaves. The village gate swiftly closes behind her and all that lies before you is the looming mountain.