It is morning. By myself I walk up the steep trail to “the towering rock.” The usually snake infested path is now clear for me to walk up. I do. Every little while I check where I am walking, just in case. There is none the whole way. I put my foot on the grassy flat plane that ends the steepness. I walk about ½ yard. Then I stop. I turn to the left. I am in the presence of a five foot buddha statue. I am not afraid.
—Lucas Masch, age 8 Richmond, California
