Determine Meaning

In a small town, three friends — Alice, Ben, and Clara — were planning a hiking trip to the mountain summit. They'd been debating for weeks whether to go in the summer or the fall. The choice seemed trivial, but to them, it was a crucial decision. Alice wanted to go during the summer, believing the weather would be perfect. Ben, however, was convinced that fall would provide better views and fewer crowds. Clara had been silent throughout most of the discussion, but finally, she spoke up. 'Why don't we just let the weather determine when we go? We could check the forecast and decide based on that.' The friends agreed, and so they waited. A few days later, the forecast predicted heavy rain for the summer months and clear skies in the fall. The weather had determined their fate. It seemed like an insignificant choice at the time, but that simple decision led them on an unforgettable journey. As they reached the summit during the fall, they marveled at the breathtaking views, and Clara said, 'This is why we waited. It was worth it.' Months later, they would remember this trip, and Ben would tell the story of how the weather had determined the best time for their adventure. But as the story unfolded, they realized that the path they took in life, from their early decisions to more significant moments, had often been determined by the simplest choices — the friends they made, the decisions that seemed small but turned out to have a lasting impact. What if they had gone during the summer? Perhaps they would not have shared this beautiful memory together. The word 'determine' had followed them all their lives, shaping their paths and decisions, guiding them toward new opportunities, and sometimes, even steering them away from danger.