“Two are better than one…”
A story is told of 3 Alpine mountaineers who got caught in bad weather while on their adventure. As they struggled to get to safety, the weather got really bad and cold. One of the alpinist began to feel too weak to walk.
“I can’t make it” he said to his peers.
“You can make it, we’ll help you” the second alpinist replied.
“No! Helping him will slow me down, I’ll go ahead” the third alpinist said. So he went on leaving his peers behind.
The second Alpinist decided to help his weak friend, and they wobbled on as the weak one leaned on him. They had only walked a few metres when they met their friend who left them behind; he was on the ground, cold and lifeless.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? …”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
The first and second alpinist survived because they exchanged body heat, being together. This kept them warm and alive till they got to a safe place.
To be continued…
By Deborah Nwaeke.