A cloud washes over Mt. Tuka-Taka like an ocean wave, engulfing the mountain in white. The cloud rolls up the slope of Mt. Tuka-Taka in a desperate attempt to reach the top before it flows to the other side. Like a sandcastle at a beach, the mountain is caught in the unrelenting clouds, yet the mountain continues to stand as the clouds strike the mountain. Snow covers the mountain in white, flowing off the top in great stripes. It is as if the mountain became a volcano, erupting snow and clouds down its sides. And it is on one of these sides (the less cloudy side) that we find a lone farmer walking with his goats.
The farmer also sees the snow on the mountain and is aware of the battle between sky and mountain occurring above his head. The farmer continues walking through the snow already on the mountain with his goats as they ascend to the cave where he stores his cheese and wine. While walking, the farmer contemplates on the snack he will have when he reaches the cave that his grandfather once owned and which he now owns with his brother. He is not concerned with the clouds gathering. “I will try the goat cheese with cranberries first,” the farmer thinks to himself. After all, that is why he is herding eight goats to the cave. Above him the sky turns white: a monstrous cloud has rushed over the edge of the mountain and now hangs in the air, rolling slowly upwards. To the distant observer, this is another beautiful cloud formation, a battle in the war between mountain and cloud. But the farmer knows differently: this is the beginning of a blizzard.
The farmer knew that the clouds would bring a blizzard. He didn’t, however, know that the blizzard would come so soon. He realizes belatedly that he must make it to the cave before the snow hits, for that would mean certain death. The farmer also knows that the cave is more than a kilometer away, across the other side of the mountain. He gathers his goats and heads off trail, hoping to make it to his cave. The farmer hurriedly herds his goats towards the cave, hoping that the blizzard will not overtake him. The goats lazily follow him, and the farmer knows it is hopeless to go their speed, for the blizzard will hit too soon. First snow, and then sleet, begins to fall on the mountain and farmer. The snow piles up in his path, and sharp ice cuts his exposed skin and face. The farmer continues on, knowing that he will perish if he does not make it to his cave.
Suddenly, two of the goats fall off the trail and plummet down the side of the mountain. The remaining goats bleat in anguish as the farmer attempts to calm them and get them moving again. However, the farmers’ attempts prove hopeless as one of the goats runs into and over him and down the trail. The goat disappears around a ridge in the trail, though the farmer continues to hear its wild hoof-beats. The disconcerted farmer quickly gathers his goats and heads up the trail. He passes over a ridge and spies his family’s cave on up the mountain. The farmer knows he is near.
The blizzard rears its head above the mountain and farmer. Snow falls heavily over the farmer as he runs up the trail towards his cave, goats in tow. A low rumble begins at the top of the mountain. The farmer looks up towards his cave, now only fifty meters above him and to the right. As he looks at the cave, he notices that the top of the mountain is moving, and quickly. Instinctively, the farmer bolts up the side of the mountain, leaving his goats confused on the trail. He rushes towards the mouth of his cave as ice and rocks pelt the mountain side. Whoosh! An enormous rock shoots past him, hitting two of his goats further down the trail. With adrenaline pumping, the farmer dives into his cave, rolling on the floor towards safety as another boulder careens off the ledge outside.
As the farmer retreats to his stores of wine, he can only hear the sound of the mountain's fight with the blizzard. Snow falls heavily while the farmer retreats to the back of the cave to build a fire and enjoy vittles stored in the cave. The farmer is not worried about the blizzard outside, as he knows that in this battle, the mountain will emerge victorious over the clouds.
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