Parker Meloche wiped the back of his hand across his forehead, smearing the sweat but providing himself little relief. Despite the air being dry, he was feeling hot from the exertion of climbing the seemingly endless stairs.

His travel to Tibet had been long and arduous. He navigated a foreign language and strange customs to arrive at the remote Buddhist temple in search of a special athlete. The foreboding mountains ascending all around Parker gave him a sense of awe at the situation he had put himself into.

I just need to keep climbing a little more.

Finally reaching the top of the stairs, he stared at the entrance to the temple, and a recurring concern came to the front of his mind.

What if I accidentally offend him? Will this all be for nothing?

The temple was intricately built with white columns leading upward to a complex shingled roof, orange in color with gold trim. In front of the columns were two white statues of lions, which conveyed a regal, spiritual sense.

Parker entered the temple slowly and made his way down the hallway. He gazed around at the beautiful design and elegant architecture while he walked. Eventually he made it into the large room at the end of the hallway where several Buddhist monks sat in silent meditation.

It didn’t take Parker long to recognize the specific monk that he had come to see. The locals were right; this monk was far bigger than his fellow Buddhists in the room.

Parker slowly, and quietly, walked toward the girthy monk and took a seat next to him. For the first few moments, he said nothing as he second-guessed his tact. After nearly two minutes, it was the monk who spoke to him with eyes closed.

“I have heard of a white man looking to speak to me,” the monk said. “Now that you have found me, you say nothing?”

Parker considered the best response.

“I say nothing because I don’t want to incur disrespect in your temple,” Parker replied. “May we walk in amongst the gardens of your temple when you finished?”

A butterfly flapped its wings as it fluttered amongst the meditating monks.

“Ah,” the monk murmured. “If you seek enlightenment from me. This is as fine of place as any to receive it.”

Another moment of hesitation paused Parker as he admired the butterfly.

“Legend has been told of a man who bested all of Tibet’s greatest wrestlers,” replied Parker, softly. “But then this man abruptly left the competitions for a lifetime dedicated to enlightenment.”

“Ah,” murmured the monk softly again. “You come to convert me back to my previous life?”

“Yes,” Parker confirmed to the monk. “In America, you will have the opportunity to share the beauty of your wisdom… and to tap into the side of yourself which I believe you may miss.”

The monk continued to sit silently for a moment.

“Our leaders have been asking for ways to expand our teachings,” the monk answered. “Perhaps you coming to find me was the answer to that question.”

The butterfly briefly flew in front of the monk while his eyes remained closed.

Within a split second, the monk had struck the butterfly with a fist into the open palm of his other hand.

“I accept your offer,” said the smiling monk as he turned to Parker with his eyes now open. “I will come to America and share enlightenment in all its forms.”

Parker exhaled… his prayers had been answered.