The Dust Factory2004

Grandpa Randolph:
Did your mother ever tell you about the Fair Footed Flekk?

Ryan Flynn:
No.

Grandpa Randolph:
Once upon a time there were three men who decided to climb the tallest mountain in their country. These fellows knew if they succeeded, they would be showered with wealth and power by the king. They even referred to the mission as a "quest for paradise." Now, the king had a beautiful daughter, and he promised her hand to the bravest of the men. Halfway up the mountain, one of the men turned to the guide and said he couldn't justify the strain of another day's hiking just for the king's good blessings. Next morning, the second man decided the climb was foolish. Even if the king were offering pails of gold, he figured it wouldn't be worth spending from his deathbed. So, off he went. Now the last man - the last was chipper as a fox in a chicken coop! Already counting his good graces, anticipating wealth and happiness! Well, his excitement was short-lived as the guide outlined the final day's journey. Treacherous. This fellow just shook his head in disgust. I mean, for a spoiled child bride, it would take all the king's money to keep her happy, anyway. So, without even a proper fare-thee-well he turned on his heel and left the young guide alone. And you know what the guide did then?

Ryan Flynn:
Bailed?

Grandpa Randolph:
He went for it.

Ryan Flynn:
Cool.

Grandpa Randolph:
Cool! Yes.

Ryan Flynn:
So, then what?

Grandpa Randolph:
After two more days he reached the precipice and discovered a weathered bench, looked out over the countryside cupped his hands and shouted, "What paradise is this?" He was answered by a beautiful voice, "What paradise do you seek?"

Ryan Flynn:
The Fair Footed Flekk?

Grandpa Randolph:
Yeah, she skipped through the clouds as if she were light as air itself. She explained how the men he'd started with were glory seekers expecting paradise, but disappointed. Disappointed at the price. The young man was touched and moved as he looked over this tiny piece of the world, seeing with a clarity he'd never known. And a word tumbled from his lips... Paradise.

Ryan Flynn:
And the Fair Footed Flekk?

Grandpa Randolph:
Gone, into the clouds. *poof*... a memory.

Ryan Flynn:
Climbing the mountain was his reward?

Grandpa Randolph:
Climbing... was his *paradise*.