“You there.”

“I?” the traveler asked.

“Yes,” the laborer answered. “Where are you going?”

“I travel to Satisfaction,” the traveler announced.

The laborer’s eyes grew larger upon hearing the name. “Satisfaction? By which way will you go?”

“I do not know,” the traveler said, looking into the distance.

The laborer laughed. “Ha! Then how can you begin?

“It lies to the east, does it not?” the traveler asked, pointing toward the horizon.

“Aye,” the laborer answered simply, crossing his arms upon his chest.

The traveler took a step. “A single step toward the east and I have already begun.”

The laborer chuckled. “Do you expect to succeed with such a frivolous mindset?” he said, shaking his head. “Many have come before you with caravans and servants and guides and even they only found failure.”

“What is failure?” the traveler asked.

“What?”

“How do you define their failure?”

The laborer thought for a moment. “They turned back.”

“Because they turned back, they failed?”

“Aye.”

The traveler smiled wryly. “Then, logically, if I never turn back, I will never fail.”

the laborer laughed openly this time. “You’re a simple fool aren’t you? When you become disheartened, what will you do then?”

“How could I become disheartened?” The traveler wrapped his arm around the laborer and gestured into the distance. “See for yourself the spire that rises up from beyond the horizon! It beckons us onward like a standard before an army!

The laborer pushed him away in annoyance. “But the journey is long. Some say it takes a lifetime! They say even if you make it you’ll die of old age upon the threshold!”

The traveler looked longingly toward the east, considering his response, before saying, “Then I will die in Satisfaction.”

Becoming flustered, the laborer blurted out, “You’re completely mad!” and turned to leave the traveler to his fate.

“Then you won’t take the journey with me?” the traveler asked suddenly.

The laborer stopped and looked back over his shoulder. “You can’t be serious.”

“Why not?” the traveler asked. “Isn’t that why you’re camped along this road? Why you called out to me?”

The laborer clenched his fists, upset at the apparent transparency of his situation.

“If I could hazard a guess,” the traveler continued, “I imagine you’ve attempted this journey before. I’d say you’ve bartered passage with those ‘with caravans and servants and guides’ and that tent is all you have left.”

The laborer stood silent for a while before finally saying, “Are you mocking me?”

The traveler didn’t answer.

“I’ve never held great wealth,” the laborer began. I Spent my life in resentful service to others more powerful than myself. But everyone wants for something better, so I too sought to reach Satisfaction.” He turned and looked off toward the east. “To that end, I took what meager savings I had and gave it away. Gave it to hucksters and pitchmen who claimed to be able to take me there.” Tears began to form in his eyes and without warning the laborer yelled into the wind with everything he could muster. Filled with anger, he pulled a large stone from the wall beside the road and heaved it toward the east. It landed with a thud as he made to pull another stone but the traveler was upon him.

“That’s enough!” the traveler shouted, restraining him.

“Release me!” the laborer demanded.

The traveler acquitted his hold and the laborer stomped away from the path and down to his hovel. following apprehensively, the traveler stood before the tent and pulled back the flap to find the laborer sitting among his meager possessions.

Without looking up, the laborer spoke, “What makes you think you’ll make it?”

The traveler exhaled deeply. “Honestly?” he asked. “I don’t know. But I’ll go with my own strength.”

“Then go,” the laborer said suddenly.

“Wha-“

“Go!” he shouted.

The traveler opened his mouth again to speak but the laborer cut him off once more.

“If you shared your strength with me,” he said quietly, “you may not make it.”

The traveler stood silent for a while before asking, “What about you?”

Standing up, the laborer turned and looked over his scant dwelling. “I’ve been squatting here too long, waiting for something to happen.” He stepped past the traveler and together they returned to the main road. They stood looking east toward the beckoning spire. Steeling his resolve, the laborer turned to the west. “I’m going home,” he said. “There’s work to be done; work that I’m damned good at.” He looked at the traveler again, the hint of a smile upon his face. “Don’t worry. I’ll find my own Satisfaction.”

The traveler grinned and the two clasped hands, each giving the other their best wishes.

That day, two met at the crossroads and two took separate paths. One a path into the unknown, the other a path walked before under different circumstances. Is either path truly greater than the other? That’s up to the discretion of those with the courage to walk, and keep walking.