The Voice of the Mountain Summary:

Once, there was an old man named Popocatepetl who was throne to sit on a high rock, unable to
move his shoulders and tasked to stay still for long. He was very hungry but none among the food he
could see was he able to take because of his current position.

Then came his friend, an eagle, whom he asked help to grab him something to eat as he was
severely famished said that there’s this little creature on Earth: a little animal with two arms, two
legs, one head and a very brave air who can invent something as that little animal claims.

Immediately, Popocatepetl asked the eagle summon the little creature. Upon meeting, Popocatepetl
introduced himself in a very remarkable way. As he said to the little creature: “Oh, blessed little
animal with two arms, two legs, a head and a very brave air, help me in my agony. Behold I,
Popocatepetl, who saw the King of Everything fashioning the stars, I, who knew the sun in his
childhood, I, Popocatepetl, appeal to you, little animal. I am hungry.”

Then, the unexpected happened. The little animal asked for payment right away. Flustered,
Popocatepetl threatened the little animal’s life which made it give up and suggested that they make
wings for Popocatepetl. But, as the wings are huge ones, he told them that he’d be brining his
comrades along to build the wings.

Betrayal after another, the little animal brought his comrades with him but never actually made the
wings he said he would make. With this, Popocatepetl’s cry about his wings remained as a soft cry –
ignored and neglected.

BACKGROUND

The Voice of the Mountain is written by American poet, novelist Stephen Crane who often uses
naturalism in his works which explains the wide vocabulary words, interpretations and comparisons
throughout the story.