Milo lived beside the Mountain.
Every night, he dreamed of climbing the Mountain.
Every day, he stared up at the Mountain.
‘I really want to go up there,’ said Milo,
‘but ...
... it’s just so ...
huge!’
‘It’s lovely up here, really it is!’
‘There’s a beautiful view!’
‘Squeak!’
In the morning, the first thing Milo thought about was the Mountain.
In the evening, Milo thought about the Mountain.
Even at night – you guessed it –Milo thought about the Mountain.
Until one day, Milo stopped thinking ... and started doing. He practised putting on his boots.
He packed his backpack with everything he might need.
He put on his woolliest hat, warmest gloves and luckiest cape.
‘This is it,’ said Milo. ‘I’m ready! Ready to climb the huge Mountain! I can do this!’
‘no more excuses!’
‘Oh no!’ said Milo. ‘Why did I say “excuses”?’
‘It’s too cold.’
‘It’s too dark.’
‘I’m too tired.’
‘Maybe I’ll try tomorrow.’
But tomorrow never came.
Spring became summer, and autumn became winter.
A year went by and Milo was no closer to climbing the Mountain.
He needed a plan.
‘Maybe I could stow away.’