Vaguear lay upside down on the worn-out couch, his head dangling over the edge as he flipped through a book he had found at the local library. Words and stories were his escape from the predictable routines of life in their two-bedroom apartment 37 stories up. The sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a warm, gentle glow that filled the room. He was engrossed in the world of his book when his mother's voice interrupted his reverie.
"Vaguear, it's time for dinner!" she called from the kitchen.
With a reluctant sigh, Vaguear closed the book and sat up. He joined his mother at the dinner table, his mind still wandering through the pages of his book. While savoring a meal of homemade lasagna, he glanced up at his mother and asked, "Mom, what does 'hiking' mean?"
His mother paused, her eyes meeting his in a moment of consideration. "Hiking," she began, "is an activity where people go on long walks, often in natural settings like forests, mountains, and trails. It's a way to explore and experience the beauty of nature, away from the hustle and bustle of the city."
Vaguear furrowed his brow, his curiosity piqued. "So, it's like taking a long walk in the woods?" he inquired still trying to grasp the concept.
His mother nodded, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Yes, it's just like that. You get to be surrounded by trees, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy the tranquility of nature."
Although the concept of hiking wasn't entirely clear to Vaguear, he felt an undeniable spark of interest. He knew he had to give it a try, but how?
Over the next few weeks, Vaguear's thoughts were consumed by the idea of hiking. He read books of old, scoured the internet for tips and advice, and even planned a route. He felt trapped and confined in the concrete jungle and craved an uncharted world. As his preparations teased his desires, he knew he had to make his dream a reality.
One crisp morning, with his backpack loaded with essentials and boots laced up, Vaguear made a bold decision. He would hop on the wrong bus, ditch school, and be on an adventure he had only dared to dream about.
As the cityscape gave way to rural landscapes, and finally, to the heart of the wilderness, it was Vaguear's moment. The bus stopped, Vaguear's boots landed on dirt, and he re-discovered hiking. A surge of exhilaration filled his mind as all he could see was dirt and trees. The ground beneath his feet was uneven, a stark contrast to the city's concrete sidewalks. The air was crisp and clean, filled with the scents of the forest. The trees towered above him in a haphazard, unscripted arrangement, their branches creating a natural canopy. His senses were overwhelmed.
With each step, Vaguear reconnected to nature. Discovering the thrill of walking over uneven terrain, the joy of listening to the melodious symphony of birds and the rustling leaves, and the peace that settled over him as he breathed in the pure, untamed air. His heart pounded, and he could feel the burn in his muscles as he climbed higher along the trail.
As his feet continued transporting his body, Vaguear reached a breathtaking vista, a place where he could stand at the edge of a precipice, with his lungs on fire from the climb. Before him lay a magnificent view - a sprawling river winding its way through a lush valley, surrounded by a sea of towering trees. The sight was nothing short of a masterpiece of nature, a revelation that extended far beyond his imagination.
For the first time in his life, Vaguear was far from the comforts of his city apartment, and he was soaking in the unadulterated beauty of the natural world.
In that solitary moment, surrounded by the beauty of the wilderness, he realized this was natural, this was his home, this is where he belonged. Hiking wasn't an escape, it was a return home.
