In the abandoned lot behind his building,
he found a ladder leaning against the sky.
No wall.
No tree.
Just a ladder, standing upright.
He hesitated, then placed a foot on the first rung.
The ladder trembled but did not fall.
He climbed.
Slowly.
At the fourth rung, he stopped.
There was no view, no revelation.
But from somewhere deep inside him,
a small voice whispered:
“Higher is not farther.”
He climbed back down.
And walked home lighter.