by Alex Milway
‘How early?’ said Rosa.
‘The sun rises at five in the morning,’ said Nan. ‘We need to make the most of the daylight – there are no street lamps where we’re going!’
Rosa was quick to realise that life on Big Sky Mountain was going to be very different to what she was used to.
4
Florence
It was an uncomfortable night. Rosa quickly got over sharing a bed with her grandma, but because of her very loud snoring she couldn’t sleep - and the eerie howls of wolves somewhere outside kept her eyes locked open and sent shivers down her spine.
Twice she got up to check that the incredibly thick cabin door was locked, just to be sure, and twice she found it was. Yet at no point in all of Rosa’s shuffling about in the dark and bumping into chairs and tables did Grandma Nan wake up.
Only the occasional hoot and screech – which Rosa thought must belong to Little Pig – made her feel more comfortable. If that tiny owl could survive out in the wilderness, with wolves running wild, so could she.
When the sun’s golden glow finally pierced the windowpane and cut a beam through the cabin, Rosa felt even more tired than she had before going to bed. She scraped away the sleep from her eyes as Grandma Nan rolled over and sat up on the edge of the bed, her feet falling precisely into her shoes. Nan’s fingers then dropped down exactly on the spot where she’d stored her glasses the previous night, and she slotted them on to her nose.
‘Looks like a day for an adventure,’ she said, stretching her arms out wide. She rubbed Rosa firmly on the shoulder. ‘Rise and shine, my girl, we have a mountain to climb!’
After a breakfast of pancakes and freshly picked berries, they headed out towards the lake. The morning was crisp and fresh, and after yesterday’s storm the air was beautifully rich with smells.
‘Here she is!’ said Nan, throwing her backpack into a long red canoe.
‘Who?’ said Rosa.
‘Florence,’ said Nan. ‘My trusty old canoe. Here, grab hold –’
Grandma Nan passed Rosa the oar, who looked at it as though it was the most ridiculous item she’d ever seen.
‘And you want me to row?’ said Rosa.
‘I’m going to make a mountain girl out of you, that’s for sure,’ said Nan.
‘But I don’t know how to row,’ said Rosa.
‘Oh, in you get!’ said Nan. ‘Just because you’ve never done something, doesn’t mean you won’t be any good at it.’
Rosa looked uncertain.
‘Will everything be all right here, though?’ she asked. ‘I could stay to keep watch?’
‘Don’t be ridiculous, girl. I’ve got my own burglar alarm,’ said Nan.
Nan called back to the cabin. ‘Keep watch, Little Pig!’
The owl hooted a reply and Nan slid the red canoe into the water. She held it while Rosa clambered in, then pushed it gently and threw herself inside. The canoe bobbed and dipped, eventually righting itself on the lake.
A spray of ice-cold water hit Rosa in the face.
‘It’s freezing,’ spluttered Rosa.
‘Don’t I know it,’ said Nan. ‘If we tip over out here, chances are the water will finish you off before you reach shore.’
‘It’s that cold?’ asked Rosa fearfully.
‘It is. Respect the water and you won’t get hurt,’ said Nan. ‘Now, come on, we’ve got some critters to find.’
Rosa dipped the paddle into the water and pulled. ‘Like this?’ she said.
Nan nodded, but the canoe barely moved forward. It turned a slow circle.
‘We’ll never get anywhere at this rate,’ said Nan.
‘I’m trying!’ said Rosa.
She pushed the paddle through the water again, but the canoe only turned faster.
The water started to bubble around them, and three fish heads popped up into the air. The surprise made Rosa drop the paddle, which slowly drifted away.
‘That’s a relief!’ said a trout, attempting to nudge the paddle further out into the lake.
‘You’re telling me!’ cheered the second fish.
‘All that spinning was making me dizzy!’ said the third fish.
‘All right, that’s enough complaining,’ said Grandma Nan to the fish, rolling her eyes. ‘Rosa, meet the Fins: April, May and June.’
Rosa snatched the end of the paddle before the fish could move it out of reach and pulled it into the boat.
‘How do you do, Rosie?’ said April.
‘She’s not Rosie, she’s Roly,’ said May.
‘No, no, no,’ said June. ‘She’s not Roly, she’s Nosy.’
Grandma Nan shook her head.
‘They always have an opinion on something or other,’ she said. ‘You’ll get used to them – in a few years.’
Rosa leant over the side of the canoe to see them better.
‘It’s Rosa,’ she said.
‘Told you!’ said April, turning to the others. It raised its fin in greeting. ‘Pleased to meet you!’
‘Are we?’ said May.
‘I’m not so sure,’ said June. ‘Her paddling is awful.’
‘She will get better,’ said Nan. ‘Now could you please let us continue on our journey? Rosa needs practice.’
‘You only had to ask,’ said April.
‘Imagine if we were as bad at swimming!’ said May.
‘Doesn’t bear thinking about,’ said June.
And with that they all flopped back under the water. A final few bubbles popped at the surface, and they were gone.
‘Like I said,’ said Grandma Nan, ‘whether you like it or not, you’re never alone out here.’
Rosa pulled at the water once more with the paddle, and gradually, under Nan’s guidance, she got the hang of it.
‘We’re going forward!’ cheered Rosa.
‘Keep it up!’ said Nan, smiling.
The canoe cut a gentle course across the lake, and Rosa filled with excitement. There was nothing ahead of her but the wilderness: open water, mountains, valleys, trees and a huge shimmering sky. So this was what it felt like to be a wild animal, thought Rosa – to be free. It was a new feeling for her, and it was wonderful.
5
Down Gold River
The lake was long and they took it in turns to paddle for what seemed like hours to Rosa. Only the sun’s slow creep into the sky and the occasional bird swooping over the lake gave her any sense of time passing.
Rosa wasn’t used to silence – the city was always noisy – so she tried to find ways of filling the gap. She hummed happy songs. Nan didn’t like that. She whistled tuneless tunes. Nan liked that even less. In the end she settled for asking questions to pass the time. Foremost on her mind were the wolves she’d heard in the night.
‘Grandma Nan,’ said Rosa, ‘do you get many wolves around here?’
‘Lots,’ said Nan. ‘I’ve never had the pleasure of chatting to one, but from what I’ve been told they’re a surly bunch. Like to keep themselves to themselves.’
‘It’s just that I heard lots of them out on the mountain last night,’ said Rosa.
‘I take it you didn’t sleep well then?’ asked Nan.
‘No, not really,’ said Rosa. ‘Are they dangerous? The wolves?’
‘Definitely,’ said Nan. ‘But then, so are humans.’
That didn’t ease Rosa’s mind at all.
As slow going as it was, they made good progress along the lake. The hills drew closer together and formed a solid barrier ahead, but for a narrow river cutting straight through.
‘Here we are,’ said Nan. ‘Gold River. It’ll lead us out all the way to the waterfall.’
‘That sounds dangerous,’ said Rosa.
‘We’re not going down it,’ said Nan. ‘But you best pass me the paddle.’
Rosa did as she was told and settled in for the ride.
The canoe zigzagged through the narrow channels in between rocks.
Grandma Nan was an old hand at this, and though Rosa gripped on
for dear life, she knew she was in safe hands.
‘Once passed this section, it’s plain sailing,’ said Nan, enjoying the challenge. ‘But we’re heading into Angry Territory, so stay alert.’
‘Angry Territory?’ asked Rosa.
‘That’s right,’ said Nan. She flicked the paddle firmly, steering past a large mossy boulder. Water splashed up into the canoe, soaking Rosa’s shoes. ‘Mr Pernicky lives near here. He has moods and he has them good.’
‘Who’s Mr Pernicky?’ asked Rosa.
‘A mountain hare,’ said Nan. ‘And the grumpiest old boot on Big Sky Mountain.’
They travelled on for another few minutes as the river’s flow grew stronger and the canoe sailed faster.
‘Almost there,’ said Nan. ‘Get ready!’
‘Ready for what?’ said Rosa.
‘Lunch,’ said Nan.
The hills gradually sank away, the river widened and Nan steered the canoe across to the river’s edge before it became too difficult to control. Not too far away, the roaring river vanished from view and thundered down as a waterfall.
‘This’ll do,’ said Nan, before driving them up on to a gravelly beach. She leapt out and held the boat steady for Rosa. ‘Nothing like paddling a canoe to build up an appetite. Hungry?’
‘Never been hungrier,’ said Rosa.
But food was delayed. They heard a scuffling, shuffling noise behind them among a stand of trees and thick prickly bushes.
‘What’s that?’ said Rosa, fearful.
Nan grabbed the oar for protection.
‘Who is it?’ she called.
But there was no reply. The bushes bustled and crunched, and finally their branches were pushed apart by a pair of giant paws with very long claws.
6
The Travelling Sales Bear
A lolloping bear tumbled out into the open, only to spend the next few seconds unhooking his long blue scarf from a cluster of thorns.
‘Give it back,’ he muttered to the bush, tugging it firmly.
Rosa squeaked a scream and readied to run, but she had nothing to fear. This was no ordinary bear, made clear by the fact that he was carrying a heavy backpack.
‘Did someone mention food?’ said the bear, finally freeing his scarf.
Grandma Nan dropped her guard and smiled.
‘It’s only my old friend Mr Hibberdee,’ she said happily. ‘You shouldn’t go creeping about out here. What are you up to?’
The bear shrugged and scratched his plentiful stomach. ‘I’m just out following the clouds,’ he said. ‘And selling my goods, of course.’
He loosened his backpack to the ground and opened the largest pocket.
‘What do you fancy? I’ve got jams of all sorts, from berry to plum, some extra special marshmallows and –’ Mr Hibberdee smacked his lips – ‘my bestselling heather honey. Ready to do a good deal for you, Nan!’
‘You’re too kind, Mr Hibberdee,’ said Nan. ‘Anything take your fancy, Rosa?’
‘I . . . I’m not sure,’ said Rosa, still very wary of the giant bear.
‘Oh, don’t worry about him,’ said Nan. ‘He’s gentle as anything.’
Mr Hibberdee plodded closer to Rosa and patted her on the head. His strength almost drilled her into the ground.
‘She has a nice head for patting,’ said the bear. ‘Also, as she’s a new customer, I best give you a taster. How does that sound?’
‘I wouldn’t pass up an opportunity like that,’ said Nan.
‘What do you like best?’ said Mr Hibberdee. ‘Jam or honey?’
Rosa had to think hard on this. ‘Umm . . .’ she said, looking to Nan for guidance. ‘Probably honey.’
‘Heather honey it is!’ said the bear.
He pulled out a packet of crackers from his backpack and twisted the lid on a jar of honey. As soon as the sweet aroma hit his nose, his eyes started to glow. He looked a bit dizzy.
‘Are you all right?’ asked Rosa.
‘It’s the honey, that’s all,’ said Mr Hibberdee. ‘It goes right to my brain. Honest, you won’t find a better pot of honey in all the world. Comes straight from the bees on Prickly Plain.’
He dipped a cracker into the thick golden syrup and passed it to Rosa. She took a bite. It was rich and sweet and tasted of a long, warm summer.
‘YUM!’ said Rosa. ‘It’s delicious.’
Mr Hibberdee dipped in another cracker and threw it into his mouth.
‘One for my customer, one for me,’ he said to Nan, chewing and gulping.
‘So,’ said Mr Hibberdee, licking a few drops of spilt honey from his paw, ‘you want to buy a jar?’
Rosa looked awkwardly at her grandma. ‘I don’t have any money,’ she whispered.
‘You don’t need money,’ said Nan.
‘But how do I pay?’ asked Rosa.
‘We trade in everything around here,’ said the bear. ‘Time, stories, food. If the proposition is good, the deal’s on!’
Rosa was a little bit lost for words. She didn’t really have anything to trade.
‘I tell you what,’ said Mr Hibberdee kindly. ‘Since you’re new, and you look trustworthy, have a think and pay me later. Is that a deal?’
‘If you don’t mind,’ said Rosa.
‘Not at all,’ said Mr Hibberdee. ‘I shall come and find you. I never forget a sale!’
He took out a full jar of honey and handed it over to Rosa.
‘And I best be making a move then,’ he said. ‘Places to go. Goods to sell!’
‘Watch out for those brambles,’ said Nan.
Mr Hibberdee shook his fist.
‘Grrrrr!’ he said, and wandered off into the forest, whistling happily. Rosa looked happily at the jar of honey.
‘You’ve done well there,’ said Nan.
‘I just hope I can pay him for it,’ said Rosa.
‘There’s nothing a bear likes more than a good story,’ said Nan. ‘You must have a few of those?’
Rosa thought hard about it for a few moments, but struggled to come up with anything.
‘I don’t think I do,’ she said.
Grandma Nan pulled the canoe further on to dry land and tied it to a tree.
‘Perhaps something will come to you on our walk?’ she said. ‘I get my best ideas wandering the mountain.’
Nan and Rosa trekked along the river, eventually reaching the wide, surging waterfall. There was a mountain goats’ path wending its way down through boulders and grassy outcrops, and Nan ushered Rosa safely along the dangerous route.
A thick cloud of sparkling mist billowed skywards, cloaking Rosa and Nan in a damp fog. When they reached the bottom Rosa looked up at the glistening sheet of rippling water that fell at least fifty metres to the crystal-clear pool at its base.
‘Dilly-dally Falls,’ said Nan. ‘Nowhere quite as beautiful as this to eat your lunch.’
Rosa could only agree. They spent the next hour sharing bread, honey and Grandma Nan’s homemade raspberry biscuits at the base of the waterfall. The frothing roar of the water was enough to make Rosa feel sleepy, and before long her eyes were feeling heavy.
Grandma Nan sat happily with her feet in the pool, while Rosa fell asleep, lulled into a dream by the frothing roar of the water.
7
The Angry Mountain Hare
Rosa could have slept for days, but Grandma Nan was always one to keep moving.
‘That’ll do, or else we’ll never make it before dark,’ said Nan, gently squeezing Rosa’s shoulder.
They collected their things and set off into the lush forest, following the river. Tree trunks blocked any view of what lay ahead: some were thin and white, while some were giants that would take thirty people holding hands to wrap fully round their base.
But then, as they walked further into the wilderness, they came upon something very strange. The trees grew thin, until suddenly there were none. Where once there were towering trees, now sat gnawed stumps and a thick carpet of wood chippings. And right in th
e middle of it all, bouncing around like a rabid pogo stick, was a furious mountain hare.
‘Look at this mess!’ cried Mr Pernicky. ‘My great-grandparents hopped through here, arm in arm, and now it’s all –’
Mr Pernicky’s ears wobbled and fizzed, eventually shooting bolt upright.
‘GONE!’ he screamed.
The hare bounded about the forest floor in a rage, his ears rocketing up and down as he rose and fell.
‘Take it easy, Mr Pernicky,’ said Grandma Nan. ‘There is likely to be a perfectly reasonable explanation.’
‘Reasonable?!’ he said. He bounced forward and pushed his little button nose into Nan’s face. ‘There is nothing reasonable about these creatures! They have slimy, oily fur, and don’t get me started on their orange teeth! They are disgusting!!!’
‘MR PERNICKY!’ pleaded Grandma Nan. ‘Please, calm down.’
But Mr Pernicky found it impossible to calm down. He was a hare and he was in a mad rage!
‘They come over here, drop out of the skies and claim the land for their own!’ he said.
Rosa watched the hare’s face redden and redden until he reached boiling point.
‘Enough!’ said Grandma Nan.
The hare was set to explode.
He twisted his bow tie and let it spin back into place.
‘Who are they?’ asked Rosa.
‘Vile, horrible creatures!’ said Mr Pernicky.
‘I very much doubt that,’ said Nan.
‘You wait till you meet them!’ said the hare. ‘They won’t listen.’
Mr Pernicky led the way along the river, which was running fuller than usual.
‘There they are!’ he said angrily. ‘Look at them. Eating more trees!’
‘Aha!’ said Grandma Nan, smiling. ‘That’s what came out of the plane.
Beavers!’
Two brown-furred beavers were hard at work on the riverside, chewing at tree bark from fallen trunks. Their orange teeth were so bright they almost glowed.
‘Are they dangerous?’ asked Rosa.
