The morning sun glinted on the lazy waves. Underfoot, the grass seemed greener than ever before, the blue sky overhead bluer. All the world seemed reborn and at peace with itself.
High above on a cliff, a solitary figure stood silent, stiff and poised. The gentle sea breeze pushed back her hair revealing eyes ablaze with the light of a challenge, gazing into the future of harvests to come. She steps to the edge and looks over into the sea far below, much as a warrior surveys his enemy before a battle. Her foe stares defiantly back, teasing, tormenting, daring, holding her heart's desire just out of reach.
Success comes only with confidence and steely determination, and is but the knowledge of obstacles overcome. Eyes never leaving the goal below, she dives headfirst into the sea.
The waves, from high above seemed like gentle ripples. Now in their midst, they were angry, merciless soldiers intent on engulfing her and dragging her to the depths of despair. On the outside that vast expanse of sea displayed a facade of calm and serenity, while inwardly treacherous to all who dared defy it.
Seconds turned to agonising minutes and still the ceaseless pounding of the waves were undisturbed. But with the same certainty of the pounding waves a head breaks the surface of the water. A minute figure, significantly insignificant, yet needing no introduction or worthy praise.
As she makes her way back to the shore, the burning of desire in her eyes is quenched by the radiance of victory. Yet deep within, the ceaseless glow of ambition is continual.
As proud strides lead her away from the arena, she turns for a last look at her defeated foe and something catches her eye. Mirrored in the water is a cliff, like the first and yet not so. Taller, steeper and with treacherous rocks at its feet.
The light of a challenge flickers back into her eyes as she surveys this newest obstacle, mouth still tasting the sweetness of recent victory, skin tingling with the excitement of another challenge and mind reeling with the knowledge of more to come.