Life Echoes

( Full Audio Version Of This Story Is Located At The Bottom )

Jeff was having a difficult morning. Or at least as difficult of a morning as a young boy could have. Him and Tyler (His older brother) were fighting because Tyler kept calling Jeff stupid and was being mean to him. Jeff was the kind of boy who had plenty of energy, had a short temper, and often yelled in anger whatever came to mind. This often got him and his brother in trouble.

After fighting all morning Jeff and Tyler’s dad had enough and decided it would be good to split them up for a while and burn off some of Jeff’s energy. Jeff’s and Tyler’s parents worked at Grand Canyon Village and often lead tourist hikes. Luckily Jeff’s dad had the day off and knowing the trails really well, he decided to take Jeff on a little hike. Figuring Tyler was old enough to take care of himself and would be fine the rest of the day.

Jeff’s dad decided to take him to the South Kaibab Trail on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The trail is not an easy one, but it offers some of the most awe inspiring views. Jeff’s dad thought it would help burn off some of Jeff’s energy and give them a chance to talk and bond. The start of the trail begins with a fun switch back trail on what is called the Chimney. Jeff’s dad figured that they would try and make it to Ooh Aah Point where they would sit, have a snack, and take a little break and then head back. After all, Jeff was still pretty young and didn’t quiet have the endurance or coordination to do a very long hike.

As they were hiking the trail, they would pass or get passed by various people. It was a particularly popular trail to hike and Jeff’s dad knew this would be the case. At one point, they came to a particularly difficult area. Jeff’s dad made sure he was in front of Jeff to show him where to step and to make sure he took it slow. Jeff was getting tired and started getting a little angry that his dad even took him on this hike. In fact, he started to believe that his dad took him on this hike to punish him. This made him even more angry.

While Jeff was negotiating a particular difficult area for a boy of his size, his foot slipped, and he ended up sliding down a little hill to a landing. Jeff immediately stood up and screamed in anger, “Aaaah!”. A few seconds later he heard “Aaaah” repeated back to him. Thinking someone on the trail was mocking him, Jeff shouted back, “You, Shut Up!”. Again, a few seconds later he heard “You, Shut Up” repeated back to him. Now, even more angry he shouted, “You’re Stupid!”. Sure enough, a few seconds later he heard “You’re Stupid” being shouted back to him.

Before Jeff could shout something else, his dad stopped him and asked, “What are you doing?”. Jeff told him that someone on the trail is making fun of him and repeating everything he is saying.

Jeff’s dad gave a little smile and said, “Oh yeah? Let me give it a try.” Jeff’s dad took a deep breath and shouted, “You Are Awesome!”. A couple seconds later they heard “You Are Awesome” repeated back to them. Jeff gave a little smile. Jeff’s dad took another deep breath and yelled, “You Are Smart!”. Again, “You Are Smart” was repeated a couple seconds later. Jeff had a big smile on his face. “One more”, said his dad and he took another deep breath. “Thank You” he screamed. Then they heard, “Thank You” repeated right back to them.

Jeff gave out a little laugh, then he asked his dad, “Who is that?”

Jeff’s dad replied, “That’s Life son.”

Jeff looked at his dad a little confused and asked, “What do you mean?”

His dad answered, “It’s called and Echo. It’s the sound reflecting off the canyon walls and bouncing back you.”

Then Jeff asked, “Then why did you say that it was Life?”

Jeff’s dad replied, “I said it was Life, because Life echoes back to you everything you say or do. If you say or do something mean, something mean will be said or done back to you. If you say or do something nice, then something nice will be said or done back to you. Understand?”

Jeff said, “I think so. Is that why Tyler said I was stupid and being mean to me today? Because yesterday I called him stupid and was mean to him?”

Jeff’s dad said, “Exactly! You got it.”

Then Jeff asked his dad, “Have you taken Tyler on this hike?”

Laughing, Jeff’s dad replied, “Not yet, but I think that’s a good idea!”

Life Echoes

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Life Echoes

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