A journey to the mountains

This is the story 'A Journey to the Magical Mountains' from your book, Santoor (Chapter 11). Here it is, told in short.

Minam lived in a small village at the foot of the Himalayas. Her grandfather had once been a Sherpa, a guide who helps people climb the mountains. Minam loved his stories about the mountains, and the two of them often went on long walks together.

One sunny morning, her grandfather said Minam had grown strong enough to walk a long way, so today he would take her on a special journey into the mountains. Minam happily packed rotis with achaar, two water bottles and apples, her favourite fruit. On the way she saw beautiful flowers and tall trees, heard birds she had never heard before, and breathed the fresh, cool air.

They stopped for lunch beside a small river with clear water. They ate their rotis and watched the fish, and Minam dipped her feet in the cool water and laughed as she ate an apple. Then they climbed higher and saw yaks. Grandfather told her that yaks are very important to mountain people: they give milk and wool and help carry heavy loads. Higher still, the ground was covered with snow. Minam had never seen so much snow! Together they made a small snowman.

From the top of a hill, Minam saw the huge peaks shining in the sun, and grandfather pointed to Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world. On the way home, they heard an old man playing a santoor under a tree (the same name as your book!), and watched a family of mountain goats jumping from rock to rock. At home, Minam thanked her grandfather. He told her the mountains teach us about strength, beauty and nature, and that we must respect and protect them. Minam promised to take care of the mountains.