There are four peaks to climb until Manny reaches the top of the mountain. Each ledge is thinner and
more dangerous than the last. Thankfully, he has a strong cane. He uses the cane to pull himself up.
The climb is cold and snowy.
Day turns to night and back to day again. A strong gust of wind threatens to blow him off-course. But
he persists.
The last thing Manny remembers is opening his eyes at the bottom of the mountain. He doesn't
remember how he got there. To make things even stranger, he is wearing a fancy tuxedo.
The woman he loves is at the top of the mountain, waiting. He can hear her sweet voice, singing.
He remembers that she is waiting for him, but he doesn't remember anything else. Manny guesses he
must have had an accident.
Maybe I hit my head and now I have amnesia! he thinks.
The snow is thick and cold. It gets in his mouth as he climbs. He must be hungry because it tastes
sweet like sugar.
"Hello! Is anyone there?" Manny asks.
"Hello! Is anyone there?" he hears back. It's the sound of his own voice-an echo coming back at
him.
"I love you! I'm waiting for you!" he hears. Now this, this is not his voice. This is the sound of his love
calling for him.
He climbs higher and higher. Closer and closer. His arms ache from pulling. His tuxedo is covered in
snow. Manny is soaking wet and exhausted. But he is also determined to get to the top.
"I love you! I'm coming!" he calls back.
He hears what he thinks is the faint sound of laughter. Deep and booming. The laughter of the gods?
Suddenly, the mountain is flooded with light. It's as if the sun were behind a door that was flung open
suddenly.
The mountain begins to spin, and Manny hangs on with all his might.
"Why is this happening?" he cries. But no answer comes.
The mountain spins and spins. The room spins and spins. It's bright and then dark again. He sees
trees and bright lights. Manny closes his eyes and falls off the mountain. He fears this could be the
end.
