The Mountain Inn
A warm inn, changing weather, and an old man's secret
The train climbed higher and higher into the green mountains.
By evening, I reached a small town between two tall peaks.
The air was cold and , and clouds covered the sky.
I have never seen mountains so big and beautiful.
I walked up a narrow road and found a small wooden .
An old man opened the door and welcomed me inside.
"Have you traveled far?" he asked kindly.
"Yes, I have come from the south," I answered.
The was warm, and a soft fire burned in the corner.
"Have you ever climbed these mountains?" the man asked me.
"No, I have never climbed a real before," I said.
Outside, the grew stronger, and rain began to fall.
Soon the rain changed to soft white .
"The here changes very fast," the old man explained.
I showed him my grandfather's map by the fire.
He looked at the red line, and his eyes became quiet.
"I have seen this map before, many years ago," he said softly.
My heart jumped, and I asked him many questions.
But the old man only smiled and gave me hot tea.
"You have had a long day," he said. "Please rest now."
That night, I listened to the and the falling .
I have never felt so close to my grandfather's .
In the morning, the mountains were white and .
I thanked the old man and started to walk toward the sea.