an old man. His hair was long. He got dressed in old fur coat. He was not a member of our team. It was so unexpected that I couldn’t even move or speak a word. The old man said «North Pole, I mean Top of the World is behind that iceberg. I am Dr. Frederick Cook, a discoverer. I was the first who discovered North Pole. But another person gained the priority.  I need your help to rehabilitate my right to be the first».
«How can I help you»? - I asked. – «Listen to my story and then decide what to do», said the old man.
«More than a hundred years ago, many brave explorers were sent to conquer North Pole, Top of the World, on skis, sledges or sled dogs.  My friend Robert Peary and I were among them. We were true fans of North Pole and devoted our life to it.  We were working in different teams but at the same time.
Unfortunately we couldn’t get reach the main aim.
I was much more educated and talented than Peary. I could speak the Eskimo language. I was experienced in Eskimos survival in the arctic conditions better. I knew how to build the igloo. You know, that igloo is a dome house made of snow blocks.
My sled was 50 pounds lighter than Peary’s one. I always carried a folding canvas boat not to lose time in vain and move forward. I suffered from cold, hunger and tiredness a lot. And at last our team was lucky. It happened in April, 1908.
My way back  home was very long because of drifting blocks of ice.  I was able to send the telegram about my achievement only in September 1909.
But I was surprised because Peary had been declared the first discoverer of North Pole. To tell the truth, he set the flag in the northernmost point of the planet only after me a year later. My friend Robert Peary blamed me for lying. The court sentenced me for swindle to prison. Peary became a national hero and enjoyed many privileges. As for me, I became a social outcast.
I told you this story because I wanted people to know the truth. I was unable to prove it in life.
  Saying the last word, the old man gave me his century-old diaries. Then he went toward the iceberg and disappeared a bit later.
…Since that time many years have passed. At last people all over the world have acknowledged the achievements of Dr. Frederick Cook thanks to his diaries.
I’ve become a fan of North Pole. I can't live  without the polar spaces. So I go there every year.
Every time I hope that the mystical meeting will be repeated again and I’ll tell «Dear Dr. Cook, you are one of the most outstanding people on the Earth. We believe you»!