At 15, Mei had always dreamed of seeing the world from above, but her fear of heights was no secret. Her classmates would laugh as she declined every invitation for roller coasters or climbing high walls during field trips. But this year was different. Her parents had saved up for a family trip to Zhangjiajie, China, home of the world’s tallest outdoor elevator—the Bailong Elevator. The Hundred Dragons Elevator. It stood at a height of 326 meters, built into the cliffside of the stunning Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The mere mention of it gave Mei chills.
“Come on, Mei,” her younger brother teased as they approached the elevator’s base. The towering structure loomed over them, the glass revealing the steep cliff face and the endless drop below.
Her parents admired the engineering marvel, while Mei’s palms grew clammy. It wasn’t just the height; it was the transparency. Riding in a glass elevator, watching the earth disappear beneath her feet, sounded like her worst nightmare.
The line shuffled forward. The air was filled with the excited chatter of tourists eager to ascend and capture panoramic views of the park’s surreal landscape. Mei’s stomach twisted as they reached the entrance of one of the three double-decker cars. She could hear the elevator motors hum, ready to lift passengers at an impressive 3 meters per second.
As they stepped inside, her heart pounded. The doors closed, and the car began its rapid ascent.
“I can’t do this!” Mei whispered, clutching the railing with white knuckles.
“You’re already doing it,” her mother said softly, putting an arm around her.
Mei squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself to breathe. She felt the elevator rise swiftly, her feet seemingly floating away from the ground. But her mother’s words echoed in her head. She was doing it.
She opened her eyes—just a little. The vast green expanse of the forest stretched out beneath them. It wasn’t as terrifying as she’d imagined. In fact, it was… breathtaking. The mountains looked like floating islands, the mist curling around their peaks like something out of a dream. The fear that had gripped her chest for so long seemed to lift with every meter they ascended.
The elevator slowed as they reached the top. When the doors opened, Mei stepped out and felt a surge of pride she hadn’t anticipated. She had faced her fear and conquered it. She gazed out at the view, the peaks of Zhangjiajie stretching endlessly into the horizon.
Sometimes, courage wasn’t about being unafraid. It was about taking the first step, even when your knees were shaking.
As they descended later that day, Mei stood by the glass, no longer scared—just exhilarated. She knew one thing for sure: from this day on, she would never let fear keep her from reaching new heights.
Once they reached the ground, her family started walking back toward the bus stop, but Mei lagged behind, her thoughts racing with excitement. She finally caught up to her mother, and after a moment of silence, she blurted out, “Mom, can I join the local Kung Fu classes?”
Her mother stopped, surprised. “Kung Fu?”
“Yeah,” Mei continued, feeling a rush of new energy. “I’ve been thinking about it. After today… I want to challenge myself more.”
Her mother smiled. “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”
Mei took a deep breath, her confidence growing. “And… I want to sign up for soccer tryouts at school too. I’m ready.”
Her mother beamed with pride, pulling Mei into a hug. “Of course. I’ll help you with whatever you need.”
As they continued walking, Mei couldn’t stop grinning. The girl who had once feared heights was now ready to face any challenge. Today, it was Kung Fu and soccer. Tomorrow? Who knew what heights she’d reach next.
