At *10,000 feet elevation* in the Northern Himalayas lives a world renown guru. He is very old and wise, and throughout the ages some have sought him out to hear the answer to the question, "What is the meaning of life?"

A young man in his late twenties has made the arduous climb to the wiseman's lower summit home, a small cave formed a millennia ago in the cold air blasted mountainside. As the young man pauses to catch his breath, he hears:

"*Sweet walnut liqueur.*"

![buddhist-737198_1280.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmNoaNU1eyAEoZTrhEPb1RioBJbKZRCLKdfjHtdQYr71Be/buddhist-737198_1280.jpg)

The words are barely audible over the howling wind. In the darkened entrance to the cave, they young man can see someone sitting.

"I'm sorry?"

"The meaning of life," the person in shadow says, "I was anticipating your question. I get that one a lot. Thought it might speed things up for you, so you can head on back down the mountain."

"But how is sweet walnut liqueur..."

"It would take too long to explain it. About a century or so, is my best guess. I've been pondering that one the longest, since that's what most people want to know."

"Okay. I'll keep that in mind."

An awkward silence ensues. Finally, the guru asks:

"I take it you're here for something else?"

"Very perceptive of you."

From out of the shadows, a very old man leans forward so only his bald head appears. "Comes with the title 'wiseman.'"

The young man smiles and nods. "I'm here about your ad on craigslist. For the *100-year-old donkey*?"

A bemused expression befalls the guru. "Really? Wow. I placed that one back in 2002, I think. Do people still use that thing down there?"

"Not really. I wasn't old enough to make the climb by myself back then, though, and my parents didn't want to spend our vacations anywhere near here."

"Sensible."

"So, it's taken me this long to acquire the means and the ability to climb the mountain. I tried contacting you about it but never heard back. The status never changed so I hoped..."

"Sorry, kid. The donkey died nine years ago. She just kind of wandered to the back of the cave, laid down like she was going to sleep and never got back up. You could probably find her bones if you wanted those."

"Oh, no worries," the young man says solemnly, "It happens."

It's the guru's turn to nod. "It certainly does."

"Okay. Well. Thank you."

"You know, I'm really sorry you came all this way," the guru says. He seems visibly moved. "I wish I had more to offer you. Most people are more than happy to learn the meaning of life."

"Sweet walnut liqueur."

"Right."

"I'll remember that."

The head of the guru disappears as he seems to rummage around things within his reach. "I gave up the whole worldly possessions gig to become wise, so there's nearly nothing here. Some *filthy blinds* left over from the last cave remodel back in '83, and some rather sorry looking *mouse droppings*. I'd offer you the mouse, but I have no idea where it went."

"I'm good," the young man says. "Thanks, though."

"Okay, well. Dang it. Be safe. Good journey. You're welcome back here anytime."

"I will. Thank you. Later."

The young man turns to begin his descent. The guru winces. He isn't used to the feeling that begins to creep in. Guilt? Remorse? For what? He tried removing the craigslist ad quite a few times, and then he gave up Internet back in '07.

A thought occurs to him. He yells, "Hey, kid."

The young man stops and turns.

"I don't normally suggest this, but you might want to seek out the old witch that lives under this mountain. She owes me big time, and will have to grant you your greatest desire if you mention I sent you."

"Cool," the young man says. "I'll think about it."

"It is a long way down," the wiseman grins.

The young man turns back and with a few steps he drops out of sight.

"Oh, yeah," the guru calls out, "If you do go to see her, make sure you take a right at the *underground stalagmites*. If you go left, you'll run into the troll. He'll probably eat you, especially if you mention me. I still owe him some money."

There is no reply. The guru, not knowing if the young man heard him or not shrugs and sighs.

"Nice kid."

<sub>Image source—Pixabay</sub>

*This post was written using six previously unused prompts from @mariannewest's daily five minute freewrite. The prompts can be found throughout the story in italics.*