The synonym that best describes a friendly competition is the word "Match: contest between two or more". Usually, the word "match" is used in sport games when a group of people or a team competes against each other to win a certain title. The word "battle" means war and already involves deadly weapons.
Muir's writing is on both the beauty and harshness of nature. He talks about the beauty of the flower he discovered, but then talks about having to go without supper or blankets and how storms and the harsh weather conditions became welcomed after probably showing up a lot.
False because you might influence others
