The Giantess

The Story

Long ago, a giantess fell asleep on our mountain. Now she rests with her chin on her hands, peering west over the peaks.

We've hiked all day, poles plunging into the snow, spraying fresh powder like sea foam, until we see her: boulders for fingers, shrubs for eyes, pure white snow flowing down around her.

As I raise my hands to whoop in triumph, she lifts a rock finger to her lips. "Shhhh," she whispers, her voice the wind through the trees. With a tap of her hand, the snow slides down into the perfect ski slope.

I laugh and take off with a push and a leap in search of more mountains.