In a small village, there lived a boy named Aarav. Tall mountains surrounded the village on all sides. Every morning, when the sun rose, golden rays touched the mountain peaks — as if heaven itself had descended upon the earth. Aarav would often spend hours gazing at the tallest mountain. He always thought — “Someday, I will reach the top of that mountain.” One day, he said to his father, “Father, I want to climb to the top of that mountain.” His father smiled and said, “Son, the mountain is high — but remember, the greatest mountain lies within you.” Those words stayed in Aarav’s heart forever. When Aarav turned sixteen, he decided to make his dream come true. He packed a small bag — a few flatbreads, some water, and his father’s old compass. Then he set out toward that tall mountain. At first, the path was easy. The sun was warm, the birds were singing, and the air was filled with the scent of hope. Aarav thought, “This is going to be easy!” But as he climbed higher, the path became harder. The air grew colder, the rocks became slippery, and the nights felt endlessly long. On the third day, a storm arrived. Fierce winds blew, and rain poured from the sky like a waterfall. Aarav’s legs trembled, his clothes were soaked, and fear gripped his heart. Many travelers who were with him gave up and turned back. Some said, “It’s impossible.” Others warned, “No one has ever reached the top of this mountain.” Aarav’s spirit began to waver. He thought, “Maybe they’re right… maybe I can’t do it either.” But then he heard his father’s voice echoing in his mind — “The greatest mountain lies within you.” He lifted his tearful eyes to the sky and whispered, “The storm outside may knock me down, but it can’t extinguish the fire within.” The next day, he began again — with wounded feet, a tired body, but a renewed spirit. Every time he fell, he got back up. Every injury made him stronger. Every hardship made him wiser. Finally, after many exhausting days of climbing, he reached the top of the mountain. From there, the whole world seemed small — rivers, forests, villages, all spread out below. But there was no gold, no magic waiting for him. There was only peace. And his heartbeat — whispering to him, “Aarav, the real victory wasn’t over the mountain, it was within you.” He smiled and said softly, “The mountain was always within me — I just needed to recognize it.” True success isn’t in how high you climb, but in the courage you show along the way. Every struggle is a test, every failure a lesson. The world may challenge you, but only you can define the height of your spirit.