Philosophy's Friends

  John Black and Jason White were good friends. The two men shared two loves, one for the great outdoors, and the other for philosophy. Each was successful in his own right, each had great paying jobs, both, secretly hating those jobs, even though all the trappings of wealth surrounded them, each longed for more. One an architect, the other a CEO of a large ad firm. Oddly or not, the two first met at lunch in the restaurant across the street from their buildings. It was as early as this first lunch that the two discussed their shared dream that someday they would leave it all behind them and strike out to become more than their proper names, and the subtitle as an attached moniker of who they were. Because along with their names, each was known as John the architect, or Jason the ad man. 

  Almost six years from the day of their meeting, each now married and with families, each said good bye to their loved ones early in the morning, with the understanding that each sought solace and a much needed rest from the rigors of their jobs, and that each would return in a week to ten days. They told them of their plans to hike, camp and fish, far from the maddening crowds, and from all the endless technology that had become so much a part of every day life. They left saying that they would return soon after their vacation, and of course, return to their jobs. As to whether they would or not, neither man was sure. 

  They started their hike on the well worn path which left from the park's parking lot marked,  Hiking Trail. But after only an hour of walking, the two men set off from the marked trails and went in search of a spot of complete tranquility. After three days of hiking, the two came upon a long valley that led from the clearing they had entered into what appeared to be a flat rock face rise at the other end of this valley. It took the two experienced hikers a full day to reach the end of their hike. They were well rewarded for their long trek, and the two stood and stared lack jawed at the utter beauty which now seemed to engulf them. Both men knew, but perhaps John put it simply when he said, Jay, I think we have just found thee spot! At the bottom of the rock faced wall was a small fissure, an opening from which sweet pure water flowed slowly, collecting in the small stream that ran the length of the valley. Both men fell to their knees and scooped fresh mountain water from their cupped hands, a drink which to each seemed the most pleasant taste they had ever known. If you were to stand centered on the beauty of the sight in front of you, the soft running brook at the center gave way to soft rounded hills to either side of the stream. The soft hills folded back with an assortment of short trees and shrubbery on their sides and tops. Close to the waters edge, both to the right and to the left, supple ferns moved in the gentle winds that came and went. Each man took his turn while straddling the small stream with legs spread to either side, seemed as if transfixed by the vista before them. The soft moving ferns were not only located on the forest floor, but traveled up the vertical edges of this crease in the rock face. Besides its obvious beauty, this vision drew each man to it at a deeper level, so much so that with the evenings shadows creeping in, if they didn't move quickly, they would have no camp. So each man moved efficiently, neither speaking to the other while going about their chores. 

  Later, after the evening gave way to night, the light of a new full moon shone down on the scene. This changed the look, as the ferns shadows along side of the now seemingly blue white sparkling water had both men staring as if spell bound by its allure. Both men became so enamored by this beautiful vision, that their desire to do nothing else but burry themselves in this place grew with each passing moment. 

  As to whether either man ever returned home remains a mystery said the old man who told his story to his inquisitors. No matter how many questions they peppered him with, the old man never wavered saying, This is all I know of the story, and whether it is fact or merely another mountain fable is up to you to decide. I have told you all I know. And with that the old gentleman turned and walked slowly away from his questioners.