Curio and the the and

Great Ridge

A long time ago, far away in the middle of a vast ocean there was an island. It was a small island, only a few miles long shaped rather like a sail boat. Rising along the centre, a thousand feet into the sky, a ridge ran the length of the island like the backbone of some extinct dinosaur. On one side a great wind buffetted the landscape so much so, that hardly a plant grew and virtually no soil clung to the craggy rocks. A few families of sloths lived there and made their homes in the branches of the small sparse trees at the foot of the cliff face near the sea. It was a hard life, hardly enough leaves to eat, they continually moved up and down the coastline from one end to the other in search of food and shelter. When one outcrop of trees became exhausted they moved on to the next, and so on. It had been this way as long as any could remember. From time to time they would meet another

community scratching a living and inevitably, fighting would ensue. The fighting was never very vigorous however - they were sloths after all! You see sloths are very lazy creatures, they will only do as much as they need to and nothing more, but like everything there’s always an exception to the rule. One day a young sloth named Curio asked his mother where the island had come from and if there were any more. His mother told him that theirs was the only island and that long ago a great turtle grew so big that one day it just got too heavy to swim and layed down to die. The rocks were actually hundreds of generations of barnacles that had grown on its shell. When Curio asked where all the sloths had come from his mother replied they had always been there, riding the backs of the turtles much the way fleas rode the backs of all the sloths. Curio then asked what was over the other side of

the Great Ridge, his mother answered that long ago a great sloth named Premi had climbed to the top and saw trees and plants in abundance, as far as the eye could see. In fact his account was so fantastic it was said that the whole of the other side of the island was completely covered with lush vegetation. He pleaded for all to follow, a few tried, but the climb was so difficult and exhausting that before too long, one by one, they all gave up. Premi continued on his own and was never seen again. It was said that for the rest of his days he remained near the top of the ridge to help any others that wanted to reach the summit. Curio decided that the next day he would see how far he could climb up the Great Ridge. Bright and early the next day Curio took off up the steep cliff nearest to where the community was living at that time. Before long he grew very hot

and tired. He wiped his brow and looked down behind him and was disappointed at how little he had climbed. He decided that maybe he should spend a few days climbing to get used to it. Every day for two weeks Curio would set off up the mountain and climb as far as he could before having to stop, and then he would return home. Each day he climbed higher and higher, some days the wind would blow so hard he thought he would take off like a bird. On the fifteenth day, once he had climbed as far as he could, exhausted he sat to regain his breath before making the climb down. Suddenly out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of something moving just thirty feet above him. He turned to see and gasped at the sight of an old-looking sloth looking back at him - smiling! “Come on my boy!” Shouted the old sloth down to Curio, “You’re nearly there.”

Curio looked around, side to side, and behind him. “Are you talking to me sir?” He asked dumbfounded. “Well who else is all the way up the side of the Great Ridge - except me that is?” The old sloth replied. Curio was confused, but intrigued, and climbed with renewed strength up to where the old sloth stood. “Well well well!” Said the old sloth beaming at Curio, “You’re the first for a looong time.” “First what?” Queried Curio. “First sloth to try climbing the Great Ridge, are you wondering what’s on the other side?” “I’m actually wondering who you are really,” replied Curio, “are you...?” He paused not knowing if he should ask, “Are you Premi?” The old sloth let out a hearty laugh, “No, no my boy - I’m not Premi, his time was long long ago.”

“If you don’t mind me saying - you look too old to climb this high!” Curio said feeling bolder. The old sloth let out another laugh, “More like this low actually,” he said, “you see, I come from the other side, and every day I come down to the end of the path and see if any are climbing up.” Curio looked puzzled. The old sloth sat down and began to explain. “I’ve been watching you these past two weeks, watching and waiting to see if you would make it to the beginning of the path.” Curio sat beside him and looked all around. “The path is not so clear to young eyes my boy, that’s why I’m here, I’m your guide. I will show you the path to the top of the ridge and beyond.” “I don’t understand,” Curio shook his head, “if you’re a guide to the top of the ridge why don’t you show everyone so we can all get to the other side?” He asked.

The old sloth gently placed his hands on the young sloths shoulders, “A long time ago a great sloth tried to do just that, but all who followed gave up, now some of us older sloths act as guides to others that want with all their heart to reach the top of the ridge.” He paused and pointed back down the steep cliff face, “Most give up after the first attempt, some after the third or fourth, some even after ten or more. Still some, never give up, and they reach us guides at one of the paths.” “Guides?” Curio quizzed the plural, “There are more of you?” “Oh, yes, many more, and many more paths - this is not the only one. But if followed correctly they all lead to the top.” Answered the old sloth. At this point the old sloth led Curio along a winding path, a path that Curio could hardly notice from the rockface itself, yet a path it was. Sometimes it seemed they were going the most

indirect way, sometimes they even started going back down but the climb was immeasurably easier, and before too long they reached the summit of the Great Ridge and Curio’s mouth fell open at the sight before him! As far as he could see, all along the entire length of the opposite side of the ridge grew a lush forest. Many different kinds of birds flew in groups above the tree tops. A tropical mist weaved its way here and there like white fur on a prickle bush. It was a sight so beautiful that Curio rubbed his eyes and looked again. The wind on this side was just a warm breeze and it felt good on Curio’s fur. As his eyes followed the contour of the shoreline he strained to see an odd bulge, an outcrop of trees faint behind the mist that seemed to flow off into the ocean. “What’s that?” He asked pointing at the odd occurrence.

“That my boy, is another island!” Answered the old sloth with a wry smile. “But I thought...” “You thought ours was the only island.” The old sloth anticipated Curio’s question. “Look there, and there.” He continued, pointing further and further out to sea. Curio stood amazed once more, there were dozens and dozens of islands one after the other leading off to the horizon. “But I don’t understand.” He said turning to the old sloth. “Ah, of course you don’t,” said the old sloth sitting on a large rock, “but you will!” They sat for a long while just looking at the splendour, until finally Curio broke the silence: “What will I do now?” “What do you want to do now?” The old sloth asked.

“I want to tell my family that I’ve seen it, the other side of the Great Ridge, and ask them to climb with me, so they can live here and have enough food and shelter and... and an easier life.” Curio couldn’t speak the words fast enough he was so excited. “Mmm, you could try.” Said the old sloth mournfully. “Why do you say it like that?” Curio was puzzled by the old sloth’s tone. “Many have tried my boy, many have tried.” “I will do it, they will believe me, they will follow me.” Curio replied angrily and set off back down the cliff face, back home. It was very late by the time Curio reached the shelter, he had struggled to find his way back along the path and it had grown dark. His mother was very angry and scolded him for doing something so dangerous.

“But mother, it’s true! What Premi said was all true - I’ve seen it myself, it’s beautiful.” Pleaded Curio. “What have I told you about telling lies Curio.” His mother replied angrily. The argument went on for a long time and eventually the whole community had gathered to hear Curio’s story. One of the elders stepped forward and grabbed Curio by the arm. “You should not pretend that you did what the great Premi did young lad.” He said. “But I did reach the top, I can show you, I can show you all.” Replied Curio. “Enough!” Came a loud command. The whole community fell silent and turned in the direction of the voice. Ducé, the head of the community, slowly made his way to the front of the group. He was old and wise and he looked at Curio for a long while. Finally he spoke.

“The young one tells the truth, we will prepare all the fittest among us to climb the Great Ridge.” He took a moment to look around at all the faces gathered. “In a few days at the time of the full moon, they shall climb. Before then they must prepare, Curio will lead them.” The group mumbled their acceptance and gradually dispersed. Over the next days Curio and twelve of the fittest members of the community began climbing the Great Ridge getting higher and higher each day. Finally, the day of the full moon came and the 13 sloths set off on their journey to the top of the ridge. Thankfully the wind was not blowing that day and the climb was steady, but still, after just a few hours, three of the sloths became exhausted and turned back for home. Curio decided to take a rest break and tried to motivate the remaining sloths. He told them again

of the beautiful sight at the other side of the Great Ridge - miles of lush vegetation and the wonderful view. However, the further they all climbed the more they grew too tired to continue, one by one they gave up. Eventually, Curio found he was alone climbing the last hundred feet to the beginning of the path. He couldn’t go back. He understood now why Premi had carried on alone. Now that he knew what lay on the other side he couldn’t go back to the windy sparse existence of home. And he knew that no matter how he tried he wouldn’t be able to help any of the other sloths more than he had already. With tears in his eyes he turned and waved goodbye to the landscape below him.

Maybe one day he would return.

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