In a valley surrounded by green hills and sparkling rivers, there lived a girl named Olivia. She was known throughout the village for her curiosity and adventurous spirit. Olivia loved to explore every corner of the valley, but there was something that always sparked her interest: the great mountain to the north. Everyone in the village said that the mountain sang when the wind blew strongly. Some claimed to have heard soft melodies, while others spoke of vibrant songs that seemed to tell ancient stories.
Olivia couldn’t quite believe it. How could a mountain sing? She decided she had to find out for herself. So one sunny morning, with her backpack full of supplies and her favorite scarf around her neck, she began to climb the tallest mountain in the valley.
The path wasn’t easy. There were slippery rocks, thorny bushes, and narrow trails. But Olivia didn’t give up. As she climbed, she started noticing strange things. The trees seemed to lean toward her as if greeting her, and the wind played with her hair while whispering softly. It was then that she heard a voice.
“Hello, little traveler!” said a red fox that appeared from among the bushes. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m looking for the mountain’s song,” replied Olivia. “I want to know if it’s true that it sings.”
The fox smiled and said,
“If you want to hear the song, you must first learn how to listen to it. I’ll teach you something.”
The fox began to hum a soft melody, like the murmur of water in a stream. Olivia repeated it until she could sing it too. The fox nodded with satisfaction.
“This is one of the mountain’s songs. But there are more. Keep climbing, and other friends will teach you.”
With a smile of gratitude, Olivia continued her journey. Soon after, she met an owl perched on a low branch. Its large golden eyes shone in the sunlight.
“Are you also searching for the mountain’s song?” asked the owl.
“Yes,” replied Olivia. “I’ve already learned part of it, but I want to know more.”
The owl hooted softly and then sang a different melody, this time deeper, like the distant roar of thunder. Olivia listened carefully and soon was able to repeat it.
“Very good,” said the owl. “Now you carry two songs with you. Remember, the mountain doesn’t sing alone; it needs someone to listen.”
Olivia kept climbing, excited by what she was discovering. She found a deer grazing near a clearing. The animal lifted its head when it saw her and asked,
“Have you come to learn the secrets of the mountain?”
Olivia nodded. The deer lowered its head and sang a third melody, this time fast and cheerful, like the shimmer of leaves dancing in the wind. Olivia quickly learned it and thanked the deer before continuing her ascent.
When she neared the summit, the air grew colder, and the wind stronger. Olivia felt she was close to unraveling the mystery. Finally, she reached the top and stopped to take in the view. From there, she could see the entire valley stretching out below her, with its sparkling rivers and green fields. But she still didn’t hear any song.
Suddenly, the wind began to blow forcefully, moving the tree branches and caressing the rocks. Then Olivia remembered the owl’s words: “The mountain doesn’t sing alone; it needs someone to listen.”
She closed her eyes and began to sing. First, the fox’s melody, soft and fresh like a stream. Then the owl’s, deep and powerful like thunder. Finally, the deer’s, quick and joyful like dancing leaves. When she finished, something magical happened.
The wind responded. The rocks and trees seemed to vibrate, and a beautiful song filled the air. It wasn’t just one voice, but many, intertwined in a melody that seemed to tell stories of past centuries, of animals, plants, and people who had lived in the valley.
Olivia then understood that the mountain didn’t sing by itself. Its music arose when those who listened shared their own voices and hearts. The mountain was like a giant echo, returning the songs offered to it.
When she returned to the village, Olivia shared what she had learned with everyone. She taught them the songs she had learned and explained that the mountain needed to be heard in order to sing. Soon, all the people of the valley began to climb the mountain to sing together. They discovered that when they did, the mountain’s song became even more beautiful because it united everyone in one melody.
From then on, whenever the wind blew strongly, the people of the valley would climb the mountain to sing. And so, the mountain never stopped singing, because it now knew there would always be someone willing to listen and share their voice.
Olivia learned that nature isn’t separate from us. We are part of it, and when we care for it and listen to it, it returns its magic to us in surprising ways. And though many visitors came to the valley over time, they all agreed on one thing: the mountain sang louder and more beautifully than ever, thanks to the connection people had created with it.
Thus, the story of Olivia and the singing mountain became a legend passed down from generation to generation. A story that reminded everyone of the importance of listening, singing, and living in harmony with nature.
The literary works exhibited in Fanshie are registered under Intellectual Property.
