Morning light broke through the canopy while Deepak was walking to the forest, rustling leaves and chirping birds filling the air. Deepak was anxious, excitedness bubbling in his chest. He reached his usual spot and couldn't see Zahir anywhere.
Zahir! Zahir!" Deepak yelled, cupping his hands around his mouth. "Where are you, brother? Are you dead? I told you to go home and drink milk. You're just a kid, after all!" He looked around, frustrated. "Seriously, where have you gone? Did you—"
A small stone hit his shoulder, cutting him off. Deepak looked up and found Zahir perched on a tree branch above.
"Hey!" Deepak shouted. "What are you doing up there? Come down before you fall and hurt yourself!"
"Stop shouting," Zahir replied coolly, swinging his legs as if enjoying the view.
"I was worried about you, you know," Deepak said, crossing his arms. "What are you doing up there anyway? You said you'd train me today. So, what's the plan? Show me what you've got!"
Zahir smirked, lightly leaping down from the branch. "Follow me," he said. "But don't start crying during training. I'm warning you now—I don't have time to babysit."
Deepak laughed. "We don't cry; we make you cry. We're always two steps ahead of you.
"Oh really?" Zahir raised an eyebrow. "Let's make a wager then. If you succeed in today's training, I'll do a task for you. But if you fail, you'll do something for me."
"You're on," Deepak said confidently.
Zahir burst into laughter, doubling over.
"Have you lost your mind?" Deepak asked. "Why are you laughing so much?"
"I was just thinking about what's going to happen to you today," Zahir replied with a mischievous grin.
"Are you planning to kidnap me or something?"
"Kidnap you? No, no," Zahir said, shaking his head. "What I have in store is much worse."
Deepak frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Come along, and you'll find out."
Deepak followed Zahir deeper into the forest until they reached a massive boulder resting in a small clearing.
We're here," Zahir said. "All you have to do is push this stone. Not very far, just a little."
Deepak blinked. "Are you serious? Move that? How am I supposed to do that?"
"Are you saying it's impossible?" Zahir teased.
"It's not just difficult-it's impossible," Deepak replied.
"Impossible? Or is it just that you've decided it's impossible?" Zahir leaned against the stone. "Let me show you how easy it is.
He reached out and set his palms on the stone, and with a sharp push, it moved.
"How were you—" Deepak stuttered in amazement.
"See? Just a little effort," Zahir smirked. "Now you try."
Deepak thrust his hands against the rock and shoved with all his might. Veins showed on his forehead. The stone did not budge.
"I can't do it," he panted. "This stone is too heavy."
Let me ask you something," Zahir said, his voice lowering as he leaned in close. "When you learned to walk did you stumble?"
"Yes of course"
"And did you stop walking?"
"No. I walked until I was able."
"Exactly," Zahir said. "This rock is like learning to walk. You're not moving it by giving up. You're going to move it by trying again and again, by learning your way through.
"Then you'll find another way—use a lever, get help, or break it into smaller pieces. The point isn't to move it immediately; it's to refuse to quit. Every push makes you stronger."
Deepak nodded, taking a deep breath. "Alright, one more push."
"Not one more," Zahir corrected. "As many as it takes."
Deepak tried again, sweat dripping from his brow, but the stone remained stubbornly in place.
"It's no use," Deepak groaned. "I can't do it."
Zahir sighed. "Alright, if this is too much for you, I'll give you some new training. Follow me."
They walked a short distance until Zahir stopped by a clearing with sturdy tree branches above.
"Here's your next task," Zahir said. "Squats, push-ups, and pull-ups. Do them here every day."
Deepak frowned. "I don't even know how to do those."
Zahir rolled his eyes. "Fine, I'll show you."
He demonstrated each exercise with precision, then stepped back. "Got it?"
"I'll try," Deepak said hesitantly. He attempted a squat but wobbled halfway down and fell over.
"See? You're already building strength," Zahir teased.
"I can't even do one," Deepak said, frustrated.
"That's the point," Zahir said. "Strength isn't about what you can do today; it's about what you're willing to push through to get stronger. Every rep, even if it's just one, is progress."
Deepak let out a sigh but nodded. "Alright, I'll keep trying."
From morning until afternoon, Deepak struggled to complete even a few reps of each exercise.
And now that the sun has crossed its zenith, Zahir clapped his hands together. "That is it for today. Off home to rest and return here tomorrow."
"And the bet?" Deepak asked.
"You lost so you know what I want now, but remember consistency is everything. Do this daily, and I will give you new training once you're ready."
"I promise," Deepak said. "I will train daily."
Having heard that, the two then parted ways with Deepak carrying all that was learnt in the day along his way home.