The Wall That Climbs the Mountain

Today Polly visits the great wall. It begins at the edge of the town. Then it climbs straight up the mountain, with tower after tower, like giant stone stairs. Berta walks with her to the first gate. Then the marten goes home. Climbing is for birds, she says.

The wall is very, very old. More than a thousand years ago, a Berber family called the Banu Razin ruled this town. The town still carries their name. They built the first walls and the square stone watchtower at the top of the ridge.

Polly flies up to the watchtower and lands on the edge. From here the town looks tiny, all pink roofs inside the river's loop. In a shady corner sits a big eagle owl. He is sleeping after his night work. He opens one orange eye and says hello.

Polly stays a long time and watches the clouds move over the mountains. This tower has watched for a thousand years, she thinks. On the way down she says thank you to the wall. The wall says nothing. Walls are quiet workers.