Sour grapes

*This was written some time ago, but as with most of the more contemplative things I write down, time lessens the harsh emotions that came with the writing.  What was written is "safe" now.* 

     Supposing a man had something that he was looking forward to seeing, an attraction or scenic experience that had captured his attention. This thing had become what he was traveling to, as a kind of secondary destination prior to the final. Then it comes into view. It is within reach! But as the man passes closer to it, he sees no road or entrance to gain access to it. He passes it by still thinking perhaps the way to gain entrance is on the other side. As he continues on it is apparent that the only access to this much-hoped for thing was prior to seeing it. One had to choose a different road well before the prize was in sight. Then the option becomes to forgo the thing that had previously been the goal of the day or take the next available road, which would necessitate some backtracking and take a little more time. How much is the prize worth at this point?

Now supposing the man chose to forgo the prize, but now with a sullen attitude of injustice. Somehow the entire place has conspired to wrong our protagonist. He will never pass this way again!
Who is the more injured in this occurrence? Will the prize or the place miss the man's attentions? If the prize was so looked forward to, why was it so quickly and easily given up?
The road toward worthy things is filled with obstacles, mistakes, hardships, and at times defeat. Does not the time a man presses on in spite of this belay the importance of the prize to him? It seems a paltry prize indeed that is so quickly abandoned. And a even more poor prize to be despised after throwing it out.
How important to a man are the goals he professes? Through what obstacles will he press on? And when does his own lack of perseverance turn him against the things that he previously thought good?