Here it is, the door at the end of a thorny path. The pilgrim leaned on his wooden staff and tried to catch his breath. He has been waiting for so long and even gave up any hope. But finally he is here.

The heavens` door was fascinating. Like a delicate golden lace with shining stones of the stained glass. The light was coming through like a flow of crystal-pure melodious voices. No sign of a doorkeeper, though. But the door wings seem to be half open. So welcoming, so closely…

One last step, and all he will receive a reward for all his efforts, all suffering and labour. He deserved it, after all, right?

A pitch-black thought flashed through his head. An impish laughter, a careless word echoed from a distance, piercing the silence of heart with a sharp arrow of a shame.

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The pilgrim stood petrified, feeling his feet firmly rooted to the ground. The cold ran up his veins. A real torment of hell – right there, in front of Heaven. His whole body was agonizing. He wanted to cry, to pray, but no one could possibly help and the cliffs around were stone deaf to his desperate pleas.

Why? What sin did he commit to deserve such a terrible fate? Right there, when the end was so close…

A feeling of undeserved resentment stirred in his chest. A tiny worm of regret began to eat away his wilted soul. Finally, he gave up with a long sigh. The stone tree turned to dust and ashes right at the heaven`s gates.

The gatekeeper appeared out of nowhere and shook his head at the pile of dust. Warm wind from the east stirred what had remained of a big dream. And from the very middle of it appeared a vivid bright green sprout of hope.